Some of the recipients of the AMP Foundation’s Tomorrow Fund for 2020s.

Forty outstanding individuals working hard to connect, support, educate, entertain and inspire Australians are sharing in $1 million of grants from the AMP Foundation’s Tomorrow Fund this year.

Since 2014, this AMP Foundation program has provided $7 million in grants to more than 300 Australians who are working hard to make a positive difference in their communities.

Known as AMP Tomorrow Makers, these inspiring award winners work across a range of fields and disciplines, including science, social innovation, sport, technology, disability advocacy, education and more. The grants are designed to help talented Australians to take their passion projects to the next level, from medical research, music production, technology, covering travel costs and more.

Our 2020 recipients range in age from 15 to 62 and come from across Australia – from Perth to Townsville, rural Victoria to inner-city Sydney and regional New South Wales.

The Tomorrow Makers’ projects also reflect major social challenges and issues faced in Australia today including addressing COVID-19 pandemic through online health and education and support to artists and musicians, as well as support to people who have experienced domestic violence.

Head of the AMP Foundation, Helen Liondos, commented: “Every year, hundreds of hard-working and innovative individuals apply for grants from the AMP Tomorrow Fund. The beauty of this unique program is that it’s open to any Australian, of any age, from any part of Australia. All they need to have is an unrelenting commitment to what they’re trying to achieve and to contribute to our community.

“Award winners can use their grants to fund a wide range of items to help them achieve their goal – whether it’s a vital piece of equipment, training or expert support. These boosts can make all the difference to a project’s success.

“Despite all the disruption of this year, so many Australians remain committed to making a positive impact on their communities. These  individuals, who continue to train hard, create new art, search for scientific or social solutions, are not only inspirations but also confirmation that Australia has a wealth of exceptional individuals to take us into better days.”

The 2020 AMP Tomorrow Makers include:

• Samantha Devlin offers virtual work experience opportunities to rural and regional students
• Ryan Tilley invented a ‘trekking boot’ for wheelchairs to make the outdoors more inclusive
• Bronwyn Bate runs a social enterprise that trains and hires domestic violence survivors
• James Elazzi is a playwright who wants to share more stories from minority communities
• Carly Stanley aims to keep Aboriginal people out of the justice and child protection systems
• Myles Young is designing an online program to help combat obesity and depression in men

See the full list of 2020 Tomorrow Makers, plus profiles and videos.

About AMP’s Tomorrow Fund

AMP’s Tomorrow Fund is an initiative of the AMP Foundation, which is AMP’s philanthropic arm. The annual grants program aims to support determined individuals who are working hard on a project that will benefit the community but need help to take it to the next level.

Each year, AMP’s Tomorrow Fund awards grants of up to $100,000 for a wide range of activities, including training, travel costs, living expenses, research or small business funding. So far, 307 grants have been awarded.

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Hamish Landreth

AMP is marking 10 years of its advisers helping cancer patients and their families with pro bono financial advice through the AMP Foundation’s partnership with the Cancer Council.

Since 2010, advisers in the AMP network have supported more than 6,500 people affected by cancer – patients and their families – to address their financial challenges through Cancer Council’s Pro Bono Program.

During this time, the AMP Foundation has contributed more than $1 million towards the referral service that matches pro bono clients with an adviser in their area.

Head of the AMP Foundation Helen Liondos said the pro bono advice service provided invaluable help to people often faced with a sudden loss of income, unexpected bills and having to deal with calls and paperwork, all while undergoing cancer treatment.

“Advisers in the pro bono program are taking a great deal of pressure off families at this stressful time,” Ms Liondos said.

About 340 practices in the AMP network across Australia are currently enlisted in the program.

Adviser Hamish Landreth of Prosperity Advisers in Brisbane said seeing how clients faced their challenges had been inspiring.

”The way that they handle their diagnosis while also trying to secure their family’s financial future is pretty inspiring,”  Mr Landreth said.

“I find it really rewarding to work with people in this situation and help them in even a small way”.

Bill Rainger of Wealthpartners Financial Solutions in Sydney said one of his most rewarding cases was helping a man secure funds which were partly used for a final family road trip.

“Upon his passing, his spouse sent us photos from their trip around Australia and reminded us that he always said, ‘I did everything I wanted to do with that money,’” Mr Rainger said.

“It was a privilege in my position as a financial adviser to be involved and I will never forget seeing him enjoy precious time with his family.”

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AMP Foundation’s COVID-19 Community Boost will fund a range of initiatives – including meeting increased demand for food and housing security, addressing a drop in volunteer numbers, providing new approaches to health and wellbeing as well as alternative access to education, the arts and technology in these challenging times.

Capacity-building grants of up to $200,000 can be used for a range of purposes, including salaries, equipment, training and technology.

To be eligible an organisation must:

• Have deductible gift recipient (DGR) status and been operating for at least two years (since at least June 2018)
• Have an annual income of under $20 million
• Derive less than 70% of its annual income from government sources

Head of the AMP Foundation Helen Liondos said the grants are designed to support the many non-profits that have already adapted how they work in these challenging circumstances, but need funding to ensure they can continue meeting the demand for quality and impactful community services.

“The Foundation has been so impressed by the agile response of so many non-profit organisations to the COVID-19 crisis, especially given the challenges that preceded the pandemic,” Ms Liondos said.

“The collaboration and ingenuity that has gone into maintaining existing services and developing new ones for these times, has been phenomenal. But we know that many organisations could increase their impact with better technology, more human resources, equipment and training.

“These are the types of areas our COVID-19 Community Boost will fund, enabling non-profits to build their capacity to help Australian communities to recover.”

Eligible non-profit organisations can apply at here until 5pm on 18 June 2020.

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Since 2014, the Tomorrow Fund has provided $6 million in grants to hundreds of Australians who are working to make a difference in our community.

Known as AMP Tomorrow Makers, these award winners work in a variety of fields, including science, social innovation, sport, technology, education and more. The grants aim to help people take the passions they have been toiling away on to the next level.

Our 2019 winners range in age from 19 to 59 and come from across Australia – from Broome to Hobart. This year there are more female Tomorrow Makers, reflecting the higher female application rate (62%).

Helen Liondos, Head of Sustainability and the AMP Foundation, said:

“Six years into this program, it’s apparent that there is an inexhaustible supply of innovative, community-minded Australians who are working with small budgets to make a big social impact.

“Their passion and commitment often hide the fact that they are not well resourced. Some are juggling two jobs to make ends meet; others are combining research with clinical practice or teaching, while many draw on dedicated volunteers to make a difference in the community.”

Ms Liondos said these experiences reflected AMP Foundation research conducted earlier in 2019 that found 67% of Australians were working on a side project.

“For these entrepreneurial Australians, the AMP Tomorrow Fund is a very attractive program given its flexibility. Award winners can use their grants to fund a wide range of items that will help them achieve their goal – whether it’s a vital piece of equipment, training or travel. We know from experience that a well-timed boost can make all the difference to a project’s success.”

The 2019 AMP Tomorrow Makers include:

• Anne Thompson runs Sustainable Schoolwear, which provides school uniforms that are made from recycled plastic.
• Gemma Sharp is developing a world-first body image focused ‘chatbot’ that uses artificial intelligence to connect with social media users.
• Corey Tutt is a young Kamilaroi man who set up the Deadly Science program, which delivers books and resources to spark a love of science in rural and remote Indigenous students.
• Erika Gleeson founded Autism Swim which trains aquatic professionals to teach people with autism swimming, water safety and water therapy.
• Danny Hui drew on his family experience to create the ‘sameview’ platform, which streamlines communication between the many support workers involved in the care of children with disability.

For the full list of 2019 Tomorrow Makers, as well as profiles and videos, visit ampstomorrowfund.com.au.

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Robyn Leonard

More than two thirds (67 per cent) of Australians are currently working on a side project as they look to turn their passion into a reality, according to new research from the AMP Foundation.

This has led to the rise of the 5pm to 9pm working day that is seeing more than a third (37 per cent) of those Australians with a side project clocking off work to then focus on it after hours.

Money is the main thing holding Australians back from pursuing a side project, according to 46 per cent of respondents, with work commitments and a lack of time generally also preventing people from following their passion.

The AMP Foundation research also found:

• Australians are at their most productive at the start of the week, with 41 per cent feeling in an inspirational frame of mind on Mondays and Tuesdays.
• Men are more likely than women to pursue their passion: 73 per cent of males versus 61 per cent of females are currently working on a side project.
• The most popular categories for a side project include arts & culture (21 per cent) and sports & leisure (19 per cent).
• If money were no object, the environment (21 per cent), health (21 per cent) and the ageing population (11 per cent) are the top three societal issues Australians would look to tackle if given the opportunity.

The AMP Foundation has released the research to mark the 2019 launch of its Tomorrow Fund, which gives away $1 million in grants each year to everyday Australians doing amazing things in their communities.

AMP Foundation and Head of Sustainability Helen Liondos said with the right support, more Australians would be able to make their dreams a reality.

“The research shows Australians want to achieve amazing things in the community but money often prevents them from making a positive impact,” Ms Liondos said.

“Many people underestimate their capacity to get funding or simply aren’t aware of the funding options available to them.

“At the AMP Foundation, we want to better support the talent and innovation that exists in our community and make it easier for Australians to receive funding for their passion projects. 

“A grant from the AMP Tomorrow Fund can be used by our Tomorrow Makers to fund a range of things –whether it’s a vital piece of equipment, training or travel – to help them make a positive impact on Australia. We’ve found that offering such flexibility in funding can foster agility and innovation.”

Applications for AMP’s Tomorrow Fund, which is now in its sixth year, open today, with another $1 million in grants on offer to amazing Australians doing great things in any field. Individuals of all ages, interests and abilities, working towards goals with community benefit, are invited to apply for grants of up to $100,000 per person.

Past Tomorrow Makers have included:

• Hunter Johnson, who fosters emotional intelligence and resilience in young men through The Man Cave, with the aim of addressing youth suicide and domestic violence. 
• Robyn Leonard, inspired by her late daughter, she is helping medical researchers access vital brain cancer tissue  
• Justin Chalker, a synthetic chemist researcher and inventor of a polymer made from waste that can clean up oil spills and absorb mercury.
• Adrian de Witts, a software developer and creator of an app to help children with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, read.
• Chris Zhong, an IT architect, who is helping charities harness the positive power of blockchain technology.  

To be eligible, applicants must apply at ampstomorrowfund.com.au by 4pm (AEST) on 27 May 2019, explaining what their goal is, why it is important to Australia and what they have done to move closer to it.

Ms Liondos said: “We have been honoured to support so many remarkable Australians during the past five years. The breadth of talent and the level of commitment to doing good in
our community never fails to amaze, and I look forward to meeting our new batch of AMP Tomorrow Makers.”

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Anirudh Kathirvel

The AMP Foundation has marked the five-year anniversary of its annual awards program, the Tomorrow Fund, which has provided $5 million in funding to 230 Australians doing extraordinary things.

During the past five years, the Tomorrow Fund has received more than 10,000 applications and provided grants to Australians from Tully to Sydney, Roebourne to Melbourne.

Known as AMP Tomorrow Makers, the people awarded grants from the AMP Foundation are making a difference in fields as diverse as science, social innovation education and sport. Their goals are equally as varied from a 13-year-old budding scientist hoping to one day cure mitochondrial disease, to a 73-year old advocate for senior Australians.

In 2018, the fifth year of the program, 43 Australians shared $1 million in grants to help them continue working on projects and passions that benefit the community.

The 2018 recipients include scientists, educators, social entrepreneurs, artists and athletes. They include:

• Anirudh Kathirvel, the youngest 2018 recipient at 13 years of age, is going to the US to take part in the University of Pennsylvania neuroscience research program.
• Eva Kimonis, a clinical psychologist who wants to help families of children with serious behavioural disorders by establishing school-based clinics.
• Hunter Johnson co-founded The Man Cave – an innovative non-profit that runs preventative and emotional intelligence programs for boys and young men.
• Robyn Leonard, who founded Brain Cancer Biobanking Australia after her daughter Lucie lost her battle against the disease to help drive vital research.
• Monique Mastrobattista, a kindness champion and author, who experienced a cyberbullying attack but turned this adversity into advocacy by spreading her kindness message.

Helen Liondos, Head of Sustainability and the AMP Foundation, said:

“This year’s recipients are truly inspiring and many have been motivated by very personal experiences to help others.

“Several are motivated by the loss of loved ones to fight disease and support others going through hard times; while others are inspired by their personal stories to tackle social issues such as bullying and unemployment.

“There are so many Australians looking to achieve great things for our community. However, many find it difficult to access any funding. The Tomorrow Fund has been designed to help them access support.”

“The diversity of this year’s Tomorrow Makers once again demonstrates the talent and innovation that exists in our community. The beauty of the Tomorrow Fund is that the funds can be used for a range of things to help people achieve their goal whether it’s a vital piece of equipment, training or travel. That flexibility can foster agility and innovation.”

2017 Tomorrow Maker Lana Borg, who founded non-profit Mama Lana’s Community Foundation to feed the homeless in western Sydney, agrees.

She said: “The AMP Tomorrow Fund meant everything to us. It’s helped us to move into our own premises in Penrith so now we can serve meals to people doing it tough with dignity and respect, rather than in a carpark.

“This grant was validation that, although Mama Lana’s is a small organisation, it plays a crucial role in our community. AMP’s Tomorrow Fund gave us a boost at the right time and has enabled us to more effectively help others.”

For the full list of 2018 Tomorrow Makers, as well as profiles and videos, visit ampstomorrowfund.com.au.

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