The Henkell Family Fund was set up in 2006 as a sub-fund of the Australian Community Foundation.

It commemorates the work of the Henkell family. The Henkell Family has always donated generously within the community and the HENKELL FAMILY FUND (HFF) was formed to receive assistance with the administration of grant distributions. The HFF has generally been established to support the German-Australian community in Melbourne in particular institutions with charitable and community-based purposes as well as purposes with a focus on the operatic and Lied art. Our fund has also given hardship relief.

We have been supportive of artistic organisations and groups in particular in the area of vocal art. Hans Henkell, a German born business man and philanthropist, grew up under an extended cultural and operatic influence. His father was always a role model for him in regards of community support whilst his mother was the role model in performing and associating with artists and to make in fact music. Hans likes to support the opera in particular, to ensure the survival and flourishing of this art form in Australia. The Henkell Family Fund distributed grants to stimulate and support operatic activity in Melbourne, whereby organisations and groups producing actual entertainment accessible to the public are supported in a more substantial way.

We are still building up the corpus of the sub-fund, but have made grants to a number of causes already. We appreciate the cooperation with Australian Community Foundation.