About the Foundation
Who We Are
The Lyone Foundation was born from a deep-rooted belief that success should be shared. Since COS’s early days, the Lyone family has been passionate about giving back, but in 2013, they took it a step further and formalised their philanthropy to create a lasting impact.
COS itself was founded in 1977 by the late Dominique Lyone, whose entrepreneurial spirit and determination turned a small office supplies business into a nationwide leader. As the company flourished, so did the Lyone family’s commitment to philanthropy.
The inspiration for the Lyone Foundation stemmed from a reflection trip to South Africa taken by Dominique and his wife, Mara – a journey that deeply moved him and sparked a desire to give back in a more structured way. Giving has always been part of COS’s DNA, and upon returning home, Dom and his daughters Belinda, and Amie Lyone transformed that inspiration into something lasting. In 2013, COS formalised its philanthropic efforts with a commitment of $1 million per year, marking the beginning of what would become a defining pillar of the business.
In 2021, Belinda and Amie Lyone became Co-CEOs of COS, continuing their father’s vision and propelling both the company and foundation forward with a renewed purpose. In 2023, they reinforced this commitment pledging 1% of COS’s annual revenue to philanthropy, embedding giving as a core part of the business. Under their leadership, the Lyone Foundation remains committed to impactful philanthropy, ensuring that COS’s success translates into meaningful contributions to Australian communities.
Our Mission
At the Lyone Foundation, we don’t just give — we give where it matters most.
We seek out charities that run lean, those with minimal overheads, where funding directly supports people in need. Our mission is to uplift Australian communities by empowering small to medium-sized charities that receive little government support but deliver life-changing impact.
Thanks to the continued success of COS, over $20 million has been donated to the Lyone Foundation, fuelling meaningful change for more than 100 charities across Australia. This impact is only possible because of COS’s unwavering commitment to give back, contributing 1% of total annual revenue to help support vital programs and uplift communities in need.
Each year, the Lyone family carefully selects focus areas for giving, prioritising grassroots organisations that make a difference where it’s needed most. But philanthropy at COS isn’t just a family effort — COS employees actively participate, nominating and supporting charities in their own communities. Together, we’re building a culture of generosity and impact.
Our Focus
The Lyone Foundation directs its efforts toward three key pillars:
- Advancing Education – opening doors to learning opportunities that empower individuals and communities.
- Social Welfare – funding essential services and relief programs that directly assist those facing hardship.
- Community Development – supporting initiatives that strengthen, unite and create long-term stability for communities.
By focusing on these pillars, we ensure that every dollar we donate fuels meaningful change – lifting people up, fostering growth and creating a lasting impact in our local Australian communities.