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AMERICAN AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 136151807 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE Q21 · International Affairs · Medium ($1M-$10M) · americanaustralian.org
revenue
$4.0M
expenses
$5.7M
net assets
$17.6M
employees
58
volunteers
16
program ratio
69%
mission · from form 990

THE AMERICAN AUSTRAILIAN ASSOCIATION'S PURPOSE IS TO BROADEN, STRENGTHEN AND ENCOURAGE TIES BETWEEN THE US AND AUSTRALIA WITH ACTIVE PROGRAMS OF CORPORATE, EDUCATIONAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.

profile · synthesized from sources

The American Australian Association strengthens ties between the United States and Australia through cultural, educational, and professional exchange programs. It supports emerging artists, graduate students, and veterans from both countries with scholarships for study and development, and organizes high-profile events like Australia House at SXSW to foster collaboration in technology, creative industries, and innovation. Founded in 1948, it serves as a platform for bilateral engagement across government, business, and the arts.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $809K
    THE ARTS PLATFORM FOCUSES ON EMERGING AMERICAN, NATIVE AMERICAN, AUSTRALIAN AND INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS AND ASSISTING WITH ADVANCING IN STUDY OR TO UNDERTAKE ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT IN EACH OTHER'S COUNTRIES RESPECTIVELY.
  2. #2 $745K
    LOCAL INITIATIVES FOCUS ON MEMBERSHIP GROWTH, LOCAL ENGAGEMENT INTHE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND MAINTAINING AND GROWING MEMBERSHIP.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Arts Platform
Supports emerging American, Native American, Australian, and Indigenous Australian artists through scholarships and development opportunities in each other’s countries
Australia House at SXSW
Annual showcase at SXSW featuring panels, networking, and cultural events highlighting U.S.-Australia collaboration in technology, creative industries, space, and AI
Educational Platform
Funds graduate education and research for American and Australian scholars to address global challenges and improve quality of life
Spirit of the Alliance Dinner
Annual event honoring U.S.-Australia military ties, commemorating the Battle of the Coral Sea, and raising funds for the Veterans’ Scholarship Fund
Veterans’ Scholarship Fund
Provides postgraduate educational opportunities for honorably discharged American and Australian veterans, having awarded over AU$4 million to more than 70 recipients since 2017
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Industry-Specific Student Scholarships and Competitions 2 activities
    • Funding graduate-level study for Americans and Australians
      Awards grants of up to $40,000 to support graduate-level study, including Masters, Ph.D., and post-doctoral research, for Americans and Australians studying in each other's countries. This initiative aims to advance innovation and improve quality of life through educational exchange.
    • Funding post-9/11 veterans' education between the U.S. and Australia
      Provides scholarship awards of up to $40,000 for honorably discharged post-9/11 veterans from the U.S. and Australia to pursue undergraduate and graduate-level study in each other's countries. Over AU$4 million has been awarded to more than 70 veterans for postgraduate study.
  • Artist Support Grants 1 activity
    • Funding artistic development for emerging artists between the U.S. and Australia
      Provides scholarships and grants to support emerging or early-career American, Native American, Australian, and Indigenous Australian artists pursuing artistic development and study in each other's countries. These grants are funded in part by proceeds from events such as the G'Day USA Arts Gala.
  • Cultural Exchange and Community Integration Events 1 activity
    • Hosting cultural and professional networking events in the U.S. and Australia
      Organizes high-profile events such as the G'Day USA Arts Gala, the Spirit of the Alliance Dinner, and Australia House at SXSW to celebrate Australian creatives, strengthen the U.S.-Australia alliance, and foster community and collaboration. Events include wellness activities, receptions, and dinners that attract hundreds of attendees including business leaders, government officials, and alumni.
  • Nonprofit Internship Programs 1 activity
    • Providing internship opportunities for career development
      Offers paid internships in New York City to support event and program operations, providing participants with access to professionals across industries and helping them explore career paths and prepare for future employment. The organization plans to continue hosting internships starting January 2026.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Supporting research and policy centers related to U.S.-Australia relations
      Established and continues to support the US Studies Centre at the University of Sydney and the Perth US Asia Centre at the University of Western Australia, contributing to ongoing research and policy dialogue between the U.S. and Australia with initial funding from the Australian Federal Government.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.97M
Contributions & grants$4.21M106%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$1.08M27%
Other revenue$-1.32M
expenses
Total expenses$5.73M
Program expenses69%
Admin / overhead21%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$2.12M
Grants paid out$1.41M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$24.30M
Cash$1.03M
Investments$15.97M
Liabilities$6.74M
Net assets$17.56M
Liquid reserves35.6 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +7.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 6
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JOHN BERRY PRESIDENT (ENDED 12/31/2024) 40 $429K
LILY BALATINCZ CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 40 $243K
ERIN GRAY SVP BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT, P 40 $210K
ROLLETTE LUSANTA DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY 40 $176K
MICHAEL LEAHY DIRECTOR OF FINANCE 40 $127K
LAURA LEVENTHAL VP, BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS & BRAND 40 $126K
board members · 16
  • CHARLES R GRANT — DIRECTOR
  • CLAIRE JOHNSTON — DIRECTOR
  • CRAIG E CHAPMAN ESQ — CHAIRMAN
  • DAMIAN EALES — DIRECTOR
  • JACQUI SPENCE — TREASURER
  • JOHN ESTES — DIRECTOR (STARTED 03/24)
  • KATE VALE — DIRECTOR
  • LEILA SMITH — VICE CHAIR
  • NICK STONE — DIRECTOR
  • ORONZO MICCOLI — DIRECTOR
  • SAMANTHA SCHOEN — VICE CHAIRMAN
  • SARA MCKERIHAN — DIRECTOR
  • SARAH BESHAR — DIRECTOR
  • SHANNON MARSHALL — SECRETARY
  • TANIA YUKI — DIRECTOR
  • ZJANTELLE CAMMISA MARKEL — DIRECTOR (STARTED 06/24)
relationships · 17

Who they work with

  • Australian Federal Government Government — Provided funding to establish the US Studies Centre and the Perth US Asia Centre; the American Australian Association continues to assist in their function and oversight.
  • Australian Government Partner — Presents the G'Day USA Arts Gala in partnership with the American Australian Association.
  • Bluestone Lane Partner — Provided coffee and co-hosted wellness and community events at Australia House @ SXSW 2026
  • Hilton Sydney Partner — Venue host for the annual Australia Benefit Dinner.
  • IREN Partner — Presented the opening party at Australia House @ SXSW 2026
  • Investment New South Wales Partner — Supported Australia House @ SXSW 2026 and moderated a panel on tech collaboration
  • LSKD Partner — Co-hosted run club and Pilates wellness sessions at Australia House @ SXSW 2026
  • MTPConnect Partner — Co-presented a welcome reception and dinner during the BIO International Convention in June 2026.
  • News Corp Partner — Robert Thomson, Chief Executive of News Corp, is the 2026 honoree at the Benefit Dinner.
  • Not specified Partner — Supports partnerships between institutions, businesses, and people in the U.S. and Australia
  • Realtor.com Partner — Supported Australia House @ SXSW 2026 and participated in a panel on urban development technology
  • Royal Australian Air Force Partner — Collaborates through shared military alliance and honors service personnel from both nations.
  • SXSW Partner — Host event platform for Australia House @ SXSW 2026
  • The Australian Government (Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade) Government — Continued partner supporting Australia House @ SXSW 2026
  • U.S. Embassy in Australia Partner — Engages in bilateral relationship activities through diplomatic leadership and event participation.
  • University of Sydney Partner — Hosts the US Studies Centre, established with support from the American Australian Association.
  • University of Western Australia Partner — Hosts the Perth US Asia Centre, established with support from the American Australian Association.
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Cultural and Educational Exchange for Bilateral Relations
    methodology: cultural_exchange
    By facilitating educational, artistic, and professional exchange programs between the U.S. and Australia, we strengthen bilateral ties and mutual understanding because shared experiences in education and culture build lasting institutional and people-to-people connections.
  • Event-Based Engagement to Advance Strategic Collaboration
    methodology: event-based professional engagement
    By leveraging high-profile events, panels, and recognition platforms, we connect emerging professionals and leaders across sectors and borders to foster collaboration, because curated engagement accelerates trust, innovation, and strategic partnerships between the U.S. and Australia.
  • Fundraising Linked to Commemoration and Cultural Celebration
    methodology: commemoration-linked-fundraising
    By aligning fundraising with cultural celebrations and commemorative events, we generate sustainable investment in scholarships and veteran education because public rituals of recognition deepen emotional engagement and long-term donor commitment.