John McMurdo

Australian Ethical members and public urged to vote online Australian Ethical has opened the online voting in this year’s Community Grants program with 24 charities shortlisted as finalists from 432 applications.

This year saw a marked increase in applications – up from 380 in 2019 – together with a significant uptick in queries and social media activity as the program continues to grow its reach.

Nick Chadwick, Foundation Officer at Australian Ethical, said: “We’re not surprised to see this increase. As the economic downturn bites, financial support for charities has fallen at a time when many of them are experiencing more demand for the services they provide.

“Coming so soon after this year’s bushfires, it’s putting a real strain on their resources and even threatening the survival of many. As a result, we could lose some very valuable programs and organisations, which I think makes this year’s Community Grants even more important.”

The Australian Ethical Community Grants program offers grants of $10,000 – $20,000 to Australian not-forprofit organisations and social enterprises operating both in Australia and overseas.

Each application is assessed against an impact assessment framework and as in previous years the finalists align with Australian Ethical’s three pillars of people, planet and animals.

Chadwick said: “The grants program is all about helping small organisations do big things which is why it’s targeted at grassroots organisations with an annual operating revenue of under $1.5 million.

“These past few months we’ve also been working with previous grant recipients to understand their situation and provide practical help throughout COVID-19. We’ve offered flexibility in reporting outcomes and deadlines with the option to shift funding to new projects to ensure their most important priorities are still met.”

The grants program is a defining feature of Australian Ethical’s role as a leading purpose-driven organisation. Grants are allocated from the Australian Ethical Foundation1 , which to date has donated more than $3.5 million to support organisations building resilient communities in Australia and overseas.

Last year saw more than 16,000 Australian Ethical super fund members and managed fund investors, employees, shareholders and the wider community vote to choose the final grant recipients.

John McMurdo, Australian Ethical CEO, said: “It’s never been so important for companies to advocate for change and use their scale for good. And while taking a stand is a good start, real action is what’s needed. “That’s why we’re so proud to make money matter and help improve the personal, environmental and societal issues that affect our members and the wider community.”

Voting closes 26 July 2020 with the final grant recipients announced in September.

Voting is now open.

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The grants program is a defining feature of Australian Ethical’s role as a leading purpose-driven organisation. Grants are allocated from the Australian Ethical Foundation^[1] , which to date has donated more than $3.5 million to support organisations building resilient communities in Australia and overseas.

Nick Chadwick, Foundation Officer at Australian Ethical, said: “We know that a lot of charities and their employees and volunteers are doing it really tough right now as they continue working with the most vulnerable in our communities during this difficult time.

“COVID-19 is putting such a strain on their resources that it’s possible many of these charities may no longer exist in six months or a year. As a result, Australia – and the world – could lose some very valuable and impactful programs, services and organisations.

“That’s what makes the Community Grants program so important. We really want to see the sector emerge from this global crisis as intact as possible.”

The program offers grants of $10,000 – $20,000 to Australian not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises operating both in Australia and overseas. The application period is open until 22 May 2020 and Australian Ethical is inviting grassroots organisations making positive humanitarian, environmental and animal welfare impacts invited to apply.

Last year, the program received 380 applications with more than 16,000 Australian Ethical super fund members and managed fund investors, employees, shareholders and the wider community voting online to choose the final grant recipients.

Chadwick said: “NGOs and not-for-profits play such an important role in serving their communities, particularly those vulnerable groups who are disproportionally affected during crises like COVID-19.

“Following the recent Australian bushfires, support for these services is needed now more than ever.”

In addition to the Community Grants program, Australian Ethical will also be giving grants to specialised Australian charities and research institutions working on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19.

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[1] When Australian Ethical first began in 1986 it was written into its constitution that it would gift up to 10% of its yearly after-tax profits (before deducting bonus and grant expenses) to charitable, benevolent and conservation causes. Today, this is facilitated by the Australian Ethical Foundation.

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Pete Ceglinksi

Australian Ethical (ASX: AEF) is proud to announce the recipients of its largest ever Community Grants program.

This year, Australian Ethical is donating $360,000 to 20 grassroots organisations that are making a difference to the planet, people or animals in Australia and overseas.

Selected from over 380 applications, each of the 20 winning organisations will receive a grant of up to $20,000 to help create better outcomes in communities around the world.

Nick Chadwick, Australian Ethical Foundation Officer, said: “We recognise that strong, vibrant communities are often sustained by the efforts of locally-led organisations who work tirelessly to make a difference.

“Not only did the shortlisted 32 organisations receive a flood of community support during the selection process, but they also received more than 18,000 votes from Australian Ethical members and the public which goes to show just how valued they are.

“We are thrilled that the 20 grant winners represent such a wide range of organisations under our three core pillars of people, planet and animals to meaningfully extend the impact of Australian Ethical to communities around the world.”

Pete Ceglinksi is CEO and co-founder of the Seabin Foundation, a charity that is reducing plastic pollution in the ocean and is one of this year’s grant recipients. He said: “This grant will help a lot! We do not have external funding, nor have we taken on seed capital, so this grant means we can install two more bins on the east coast of Australia and run more education programs to help people understand how to reduce waste.”

Australian Ethical’s grants program is a defining feature of the company’s role as one of Australia’s leading purpose-driven organisations. Funding for the grants comes from The Australian Ethical Foundation, which receives 10% of Australian Ethical’s yearly profits^[1] to allocate to charitable, benevolent and conservation causes in line with the Australian Ethical Constitution.

To date, more than $3.8 million has been donated with the Community Grants program supplemented by strategic multi-year grants and impact investments. Australian Ethical employees also devote hundreds of hours to volunteer with non-profit organisations to drive change at the local community level.

Australian Ethical has been helping people invest for a better future for over 33 years. As a certified B Corp, it is an investment manager with a difference: one that doesn’t compromise returns for ethics or ethics for returns but achieves both to benefit people, planet and animals.

Steve Gibbs, Australian Ethical Acting CEO, said: “Australian Ethical occupies a special place in the financial services landscape because we are driven by a bigger purpose than just making a profit and our success proves that business can and should make a positive impact in the world.

“Thanks to our continuing growth, we have more money available for grants this year than ever before and it is an honour to be able to support these 20 organisations who are as passionate about making the world a better place as we are.

“On behalf of Australian Ethical, congratulations and good luck to all this year’s grant winners.  We wish you every success.”

2019 Community Grant winners

People:

• Refugees Welcome Australia
• Abundant Water
• Love Mercy Foundation
• The Community Grocer
• Hobart Women’s Shelter
• Free to Shine

Planet:

• Seabin Foundation
• Environs Kimberley
• Renewable Energy Development Trust
• Positive Change for Marine Life
• Food Ladder
• Pocket City Farms
• Green Heroes

Animals:

• Action for Dolphins
• Friends of the Koala
• Wildlife Asia
• ACT Wildlife
• F.A.W.N.A NSW
• Greyhound Rescue
• Little Oak Sanctuary

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[1] Every year Australian Ethical distributes up to 10% of its yearly profits (after tax and before bonuses) to charitable organisations and social impact initiatives through the Australian Ethical Foundation. When Australian Ethical first began in 1986, this commitment was embedded in its constitution.

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