Grace Tame's Charity Confronts Financial Losses and Internal Discord
Serious concerns have emerged regarding the viability of the Grace Tame Foundation, as newly released financial documents reveal the charity has incurred losses surpassing $180,000 across two consecutive years. This financial turmoil coincides with escalating internal tensions among board members, primarily stemming from Tame's contentious 'globalise the intifada' protest speech delivered earlier this year.
Mounting Financial Deficits and Revenue Losses
According to official filings submitted to the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission (ACNC), the foundation recorded a significant deficit of $60,640 during the 2025 financial year. This follows an even larger loss of $121,690 reported in the previous financial period, bringing the total financial shortfall to over $180,000. The charity's latest financial statement did note there were 'reasonable grounds' to believe the organisation could meet its debt obligations, citing total equity of $129,563.
The financial strain has been exacerbated by Tame's recent announcement that she has lost all speaking engagements for the remainder of the year. The former Australian of the Year attributes this development to what she describes as a 'concerted smear campaign' against her. Speaking at the No to Violence conference in Hobart, Tame revealed, 'This is my last presentation of the year and it's only March.' Industry sources indicate Tame previously commanded approximately $20,000 per corporate speaking event as of 2023, representing a substantial revenue stream that has now evaporated.
Expenditure Breakdown and Operational Costs
The ACNC filings provide detailed insight into the foundation's expenditure patterns during the most recent financial year. The largest expense category was psychological support services, accounting for $63,124 of spending. Additional significant costs included salaries and wages totaling $34,228 and recruitment expenses of $26,760. Other operational expenditures encompassed staff training and welfare programs ($11,647), website maintenance ($6,972), and survivor legal expenses ($17,000). The charity's primary income source has been general donations from supporters.
Internal Fallout from Controversial Protest Speech
The financial challenges have been compounded by growing internal discord within the charity's leadership. Multiple sources report that Tame's participation in a February protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's state visit has created significant 'internal fallout' among board members. During the demonstration outside Sydney's Town Hall, Tame shouted 'globalise the intifada,' a phrase that has generated widespread controversy and criticism.
'I know of one board member who was particularly upset by her speech at the protest,' revealed an anonymous source familiar with the situation. Another insider indicated that subsequent developments, including a video in which Tame insisted she would not be 'silenced,' have further heightened tensions within the foundation's leadership structure.
Tame currently serves as a volunteer board director alongside Michael Salter, Michael Bradley, and Scarlett Franks. The charity, established in 2022 with the mission of preventing child sexual abuse through advocacy, education, and legal reforms, has faced additional external pressure following the protest incident. Numerous politicians and Jewish community leaders have called for Tame to be stripped of her Australian of the Year honor, while a petition demanding criminal charges for 'alleged incitement to violence' has garnered over 25,000 signatures.
Tame's Response and Personal Impact
In a detailed first-person article published by Crikey, Tame directly addressed the controversy surrounding her protest participation. 'I do not support violence,' she asserted. 'I do not condone antisemitism, Islamophobia or hatred of any kind. I am a human rights activist who advocates for the safety of all children, no matter their background.'
The activist described the profound personal and professional consequences she has experienced in the wake of the protest. 'I've lost several close friends for speaking the truth,' Tame wrote. 'I've been publicly vilified over and over and over again. In under a month, my livelihood has been completely destroyed.'
The foundation's leadership structure remains in flux, with Tame having announced her departure as CEO in 2024—a position that has yet to be filled. As the charity navigates both financial instability and internal divisions, questions persist about its long-term sustainability and ability to fulfill its mission of combating child sexual abuse in Australia.
