Arts, culture and humanities continue to attract the largest portion of philanthropic funds, according to Myer Family Company's annual review.

Funds for projects ranging from direct support of artists to acquisition of works and related community development projects accounted for $5.28 million of the $23.2 million in grants to organisations from clients of the multi-family office last year.

Education attracted $4.88 million, health, wellbeing and medical research $2.69 million, international development and relations $1.77 million, and poverty and disadvantage $1.60 million.

According to the philanthropic services review, the opportunity to directly assist an individual or issue and be able to measure the impact remained a priority in fund allocation for many foundations.

The $23.2 million allocated in grants came from a client asset base of $433 million, with development of a national 'Giving Campaign' similar to that employed in the UK, still named as a priority for the sector.

"We have engaged with the state and federal governments through sitting on working committees to improve the relationships between government and philanthropy, providing multiple submissions to government reviews and consulting with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and former Minister for Social Inclusion, Tanya Plibersek," said Peter Winneke, Myer Family Company's head of philanthropic services.

"A key plank in building a culture of giving is to implement a ... national campaign to highlight the current poor national giving statistics, case studies to inspire donors, giving awards such as the 'Philanthropist of the Year' and an education campaign for financial advisers relating to various giving options for clients," Winneke said.

Also identified at the forefront of client consideration were the issues of capacity building in funded organisations to improve internal capabilities, and support of social enterprise.