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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