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CAGES Foundation
CAGES Foundation was established in 2009 by Paul and Sandra Salteri, who created the vehicle as a way to involve their children — Carla, Anthony, and GEmma —...
CAGES Foundation
CAGES Foundation was established in 2009 by Paul and Sandra Salteri, who created the vehicle as a way to involve their children — Carla, Anthony, and GEmma — in giving. The foundation’s name is an acronym drawn from the siblings’ initials. Its work is rooted in Australia’s First Nations communities, where it has operated for nearly 15 years. The foundation deploys capital exclusively through a grantmaking model aimed at the early years sector. Its strategy focuses on partnerships with First Nations-led organizations and community groups that work on early childhood development, maternal health, and education access. The foundation does not make direct investments or fund commitments in the traditional institutional sense; instead, it distributes funds to on-the-ground partners. Its geographic footprint is concentrated in Australia, particularly in New South Wales and remote Indigenous communities. CAGES Foundation operates as a compact family philanthropy. It does not disclose its total assets or annual deployment figures. The foundation is not structured as a fund and does not maintain a professional investment team. Its primary adjacent vehicle is the family’s direct involvement through the Salteri family office, though the two are operationally distinct. The foundation’s structure is notable for its direct link between governance and the next generation. By naming the entity after the three siblings, the Salteris embedded succession into the organization’s identity from inception, making it a vehicle explicitly designed to transition philanthropic decision-making across generations.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
2009
Location
Region
Oceania
Country
Australia
City
Sydney
Corporate office
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Principals
Paul Salteri
Co-Founder
Sandra Salteri
Co-Founder
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at CAGES Foundation?
CAGES Foundation is a grantmaking philanthropy, not an investment organization. It does not make for-profit investments or fund commitments. Decision-making is led by the founding family, with the involvement of the Salteri siblings — Carla, Anthony, and GEmma — for whom the foundation is named.
How does CAGES Foundation source its grant recipients?
The foundation works directly with First Nations communities and organizations. It identifies partners through long-term relationships built over nearly 15 years of operating in the early childhood sector in Australia. Grants are directed to community-led initiatives rather than solicited through open calls.
Is CAGES Foundation structured as a family office or an independent foundation?
CAGES Foundation operates as a family foundation, legally separate from the Salteri family office. It was established to engage the founders' children in philanthropy and functions as a distinct grantmaking entity with its own board and mission.
Does CAGES Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct grants?
The foundation exclusively makes direct grants. It does not operate as an institutional allocator and does not invest in venture capital, private equity, or hedge funds. Its capital is deployed solely to nonprofit partners in the early childhood development space.
Where does the underlying wealth for CAGES Foundation come from?
The foundation was seeded by Paul and Sandra Salteri. Paul Salteri is known for his career in the Australian construction and property sectors. The specific wealth origin has not been detailed publicly by the foundation beyond attribution to the founders.
How is CAGES Foundation related to the Salteri family office?
The CAGES Foundation is the philanthropic arm, kept separate from the family's investment and operating activities. While both are funded by the same wealth source, the foundation maintains its own governance and mission focused exclusively on First Nations early childhood outcomes.
Which sectors and stages does CAGES Foundation focus on?
The foundation concentrates on the early years sector, specifically targeting early childhood development, education access, and health services for First Nations children. It supports organizations working at the community level, with a focus on early-stage and grassroots initiatives.
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