headline

Grace Tame Foundation to shut down after ongoing funding woes

The Grace Tame Foundation will shut down as ongoing financial strains have made the operation too expensive to continue running.

Founded by the Former Australian of the Year, the not-for-profit was created to drive reform and support people impacted by abuse.

In a statement posted to Instagram, it said it had reached a decisive moment.

READ MORE: The easy task millions are putting off that will slash hundreds from bills

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 09: Grace Tame speaks during a protest against the visit of Israel's President Isaac Herzog on February 09, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. Herzog is on a visit to Australia from Feb 8-12 that will take in official engagements as well as meetings with the Jewish community. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

"Like many small advocacy organisations, sustaining long-term funding for this work has become increasingly challenging," it said.

"After careful consideration, the board has made the decision to close the foundation, with the process to be finalised in the coming weeks."

Tame, a child sexual abuse survivor, began public advocacy in 2018 after successfully campaigning to overhaul Tasmania's laws, enabling survivors to share their stories without legal barriers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DW5ZCABFfED/?img_index=1

READ MORE: 'There is no other option': Dire warning for Aussie businesses amid fuel crisis

The organisation said its work forced difficult conversations and led to concrete legal changes nationwide.

"Thanks to our campaign efforts, every jurisdiction in Australia has stopped naming the crime of 'persistent child sexual abuse' as a 'relationship'," it said.

In March, Tame, 31, said she had been dropped from speaking engagements following what she described as a media smear campaign.

Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins deliver powerful speeches at National Press Club

The remarks followed criticism from some Jewish groups after she led a chant at a Sydney protest during a visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

The organisation, with four board members, including Tame, undertook initiatives such as advocating for consistent survivor-identification laws, promoting anti-grooming education, and helping hundreds of survivors pursue justice.

"None of this would have been possible without Grace's fierce and uncompromising advocacy for survivors," it said.

"[As well as] her determination to ensure the experiences of those harmed as children could no longer be ignored."

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.