Olivia Sarah-Le Lacheur
The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) Foundation has announced it has reached a significant milestone, donating $2 million to date, to a range of charities across Australia.
AFA Foundation Chair, Olivia Sarah-Le Lacheur, said, “We are extremely proud to have raised over $2 million so far and we look forward to continuing to give back to those who need our help, while fostering community spirit and respect for the financial advice profession.”
Established in 2007, the AFA Foundation is an ongoing supporter of organisations such as MS Research Australia, Lifeline, Little Heroes and Make A Wish Foundation, all of which provide ongoing, life changing support.
“We are also responsive to immediate needs,” Ms Sarah-Le Lacheur said, “such as supporting Rural Aid to buy bales of hay and cows to help our farmers hit by drought and floods, and donating to Lifeline’s Community Recovery Program to support those affected by Australia’s devastating bushfires.”
The AFA Foundation recently provided Lifeline with a $10,000 donation towards the Program, which provides immediate psychosocial and ongoing counselling support to individuals and communities, as well as leading longer-term recovery through rebuilding or re establishing key community networks and support structures.
The AFA Foundation also supports local charities via its Grants Program. Launched in 2019, the Grants Program offers AFA members the opportunity to nominate local charity partners that would benefit from a small donation, but might face challenges in finding funding via other avenues such as government assistance or larger charities. The 2020 Grants Program, which will offer grants between $2,000 and $5,000, is open until 30 April 2020.
AFA CEO Philip Kewin said the AFA Foundation is a core pillar of the AFA and demonstrates member commitment to supporting the wider community and the greater good of society.
“The AFA Foundation works hard to make a meaningful difference to individuals and families in need. This creates opportunities which foster community spirit and connection within the financial advice profession,” he said.
Chaired by Olivia Sarah-Le Lacheur and represented via State Chairs in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, NSW, Queensland and Tasmania, the AFA Foundation raises financial contributions from members through national events such as the AFA Roadshow and the annual AFA Conference, as well as through some local communities of practice education seminars and networking events. The largest AFA Foundation fund-raising event to date was the 2018 Kokoda Trail which raised over $117,000.