Generosity of Australians growing
The generosity of Australians is growing according to two new reports released today at a summit in Canberra to promote philanthropy.
The reports released by Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter, in his keynote address at the Philanthropy Meets Parliament Summit, show that Australians volunteered 932 million hours in 2016 – an increase of 96 million hours in a decade, and almost 15 million Australians donated $12.5 billion in 2016.
“These are incredible figures and show just how the generosity of spirit of Australians is well and truly alive,” the Minister said.
“The generosity of business is also growing, with the second report released today showing that businesses gave $17.5 billion in the 2015-16 financial year – a whopping increase of $14.2 billion in a decade.
“What’s particularly worth noting is that almost half the business philanthropy came from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), which gave $8.5 billion in 2015-16.
“These figures show that small businesses in particular are very much a part of their local communities, whether it’s contributing directly to the local sporting club or seniors group with financial contributions, in kind contributions, prizes for local raffles and contributions to bigger community-focused activities like a new community hall.
“The report reveals a number of important trends including large businesses moving away from corporate philanthropy to partnerships with not-for-profit organisations.
“Of the $17.5 billion in business philanthropy in 2015-2016, nearly half – $7.7 billion – went to community partnerships.
“This shows that Australian business understands the importance of building this capacity for future growth and success of Australia.
“An increase in workplace giving, with 89 per cent of large businesses surveyed dedicating more resources and a stronger focus within their workplace to giving, compared to 10 years ago, is another significant trend.
“It’s great to see employers getting behind workplace giving through mechanisms such as pre-tax payroll donations, employer matching donations, workplace fundraising and allowing staff to have time to volunteer.
“46 per cent of big business surveyed had a formal workplace volunteering program, and I am encouraged that this sense of collaboration and giving continues to spread.”
The two reports, The Individual Giving and Volunteering Report and The Business Giving and Volunteering Report, are part of the Giving Australia 2016 research project.
The Government invested $1.7 million in Giving Australia 2016 to provide an evidence base for future policy decisions that can encourage even more charity in Australia.
“This research is led by a partnership between the Queensland University of Technology, the Swinburne University of Technology and the Centre for Corporate Public Affairs, and establishes benchmark data to measure progress on philanthropic giving of time and money.
“As the Deputy Chair of the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership, it’s very encouraging to see business, community groups and philanthropic organisations working together for the common good.”
Minister Porter also announced at the Summit that 21 community organisations would receive grants totalling $160,000 to promote collaborative partnerships between community groups and their business partners.
This funding is part of the Government’s $650 000 investment over three years for the Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week, delivered by Philanthropy Australia in partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.
“This important week, which will run from 20 to 26 November, will see the results of each recipient’s grant–up to $10,000–to produce a film, book, video or event to showcase their partnerships with local business and what their partnership has achieved for the community,” the Minister said.
“This is the third year of the initiative and this year the theme of the Week is Building Stronger Communities Together.”
For more information on the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership, go to www.communitybusinesspartnership.gov.au
To access the Giving Australia reports, go to www.communitybusinesspartnership.gov.au/giving-australia-2016-new-findings-released-on-business-and-individual-giving-and-volunteering/
A full list of successful Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week grant recipients is below.
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Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week 2017 |
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Applicant |
Project Title |
Location |
State |
Amount Awarded |
|
YWCA Canberra |
YWCA Canberra Clubhouse – Partner or Perish Publish and launch of a booklet to celebrate the impact of industry and philanthropic partnerships on Canberra YWCA’s youth program and the development of STEM projects. |
Canberra |
ACT |
$5,250 |
|
Central Coast Emergency Accommodation Services Ltd |
Partnerships Ending Hardships Create a Partnerships Photobook and related book launch, celebrating and showcasing 25 years of strong local support for homelessness services. |
North Gosford |
NSW |
$9,500 |
|
House of Hope Recovery Centre |
With Food Comes Hope Develop a documentary to communicate the history of Hope Centre Food Barn; the role that essential partnerships play; and to raise awareness of community models that increase food security. |
Warrawong |
NSW |
$9,500 |
|
Prosper (Project Australia) Incorporated |
Family One Stop Shop Showcase Develop a resource book and hold a community launch event to showcase a successful outreach service made viable through community partnerships. |
Campsie |
NSW |
$6,700 |
|
The Reach Foundation |
Humans of the Hunter – Stories Made Possible Through Partnership Publish ‘Humans of the Hunter’ Stories Made Possible Through Partnership; to increase awareness of the impact that successful project partnerships can deliver. |
Hunter region |
NSW |
$9,500 |
|
Ernabella Arts Inc |
For a Love of Clay! Celebrating the Ernabella Arts & Baillie Longitude 131 Partnership Create and launch a short film showcasing a successful community/business partnership; offering professional development opportunities for local artists; and modelling the unique opportunities that such a partnership can bring. |
Ernabella |
NT |
$9,340 |
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Access Community Services Ltd |
Building Connected Communities Conduct a research project and related launch to demonstrate and share the impact of partnerships in a collaborative project that supports vulnerable families. |
Logan |
QLD |
$9,750 |
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St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland |
Vinnies PALS (Partnership Learning Sessions) Hold an event to showcase established partnerships and to harness the knowledge and capability of industry leaders to support further collaboration. |
Brisbane |
QLD |
$8,000 |
|
Barossa Region Community Foundation Inc |
CONCORDIS Harmony Project Record digital stories; conduct community group training; and hold a networking function to showcase the Barossa Region Community Foundation’s partnerships with the wine growing industry around a successful traineeship and scholarship program; raise the profile of existing partners to attract future partners. |
Nuriootpa |
SA |
$5,500 |
|
The Wyatt Benevolent Institution Inc |
Work Pay$ – Celebrating Everyday Money Skills for Young People with Disabilities Create a short film and hold a celebration event to promote the achievement of successful partnerships that supports increased financial literacy for young people with disabilities. |
Adelaide |
SA |
$3,750 |
|
Anglicare Tasmania Inc |
Community Treasure Hunts – Let’s Treasure Our Community Run six full day inclusive Community Treasure Hunt events to create awareness of and connection with local services. |
Tamar Valley |
TAS |
$9,000 |
|
CERES Inc |
Celebrating 35 Years of Community and Philanthropy Partnerships @ CERES Launch a written and visual history of CERES, highlighting the change that can be achieved at a community level through collaborative and ongoing partnerships. |
Brunswick East |
VIC |
$9,500 |
|
Colman Education Foundation |
Together on the Hill Create a video celebrating the unique education model supporting three tiers of students, community and adult learners in a disadvantaged/migrant community, and hold a launch event to celebrate what can be achieved through strong community partnerships. |
Doveton |
VIC |
$9,500 |
|
Community Living & Respite Services Inc |
The CPPW Complimentary Cup Cake Create a short film and holding ‘Cup Cakes to Tea Rooms’ event to celebrate achievements in supporting people living with a disability, through partnerships between business, philanthropy and community. |
Echuca/ |
VIC |
$3,250 |
|
Friends of the Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton |
Reach for the Stars Install permanent signage and hold a community celebratory event to acknowledge project partnerships. |
Shepparton |
VIC |
$5,000 |
|
Inner North Community Foundation Public Fund Trust |
Leaving a Lasting Legacy: IntoWork’s Impact in Melbourne’s Inner North Conduct a review; create a documentary film; and hold events to deepen relationships with donors and encourage new community giving and support for the employment program. |
Northcote |
VIC |
$7,000 |
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Justice Connect – Melbourne Office |
Kicking Goals with Melbourne’s Homeless Community Hold a Street Soccer event and a community meal to facilitate deep, engaged and collaborative partnerships between those experiencing homelessness and Justice Connect, Big Issue, business, philanthropic partners and law firms. |
North Melbourne |
VIC |
$6,500 |
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Longbeach Place Inc |
It’s Our PLACE! Celebrating Partnerships with Longbeach Place Hold an Open Day showcasing the success of existing partnerships, promoting the community activities supported by the centre, and encouraging future support. |
Chelsea |
VIC |
$9,500 |
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The Community Foundation for Bendigo & Central Victoria Ltd. |
Big Give Launch Support orientation sessions across five local government areas to promote the 2017 Big Give campaign and encourage involvement from new community groups. |
Northern Victoria |
VIC |
$9,860 |
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Kimberley Aboriginal Law & Cultural Centre Aboriginal Corporation |
Supporting Cultural Activities in the Kimberley Create and launch a short film and webcast celebrating partnerships, strengthening existing philanthropic relationships and increasing philanthropy’s understanding of the importance of culture. |
Fitzroy Crossing |
WA |
$10,000 |
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Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre Inc |
Older People’s Peer Education Scheme (OPPES) Hold a celebration and shared learning event for Peer Educators and volunteers, showcasing the outcomes and impact of an innovative elder abuse project partnership between two community legal centres and local government authorities. |
Northern Suburbs Perth |
WA |
$4,100 |
|
$160,000 |
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