Canon Oceania grants recognises worthy causes across Australia

Australia voted Fitted for Work, Aussie Ark, Elonera Montessori Robotics and Food is Free as top picks across Community, Education and Environment categories.

Canon Oceania announces the winners of its 2019 Canon Grants Program, recognising half a dozen projects in environment, education and community sectors that are paving the way to a better future.

Previous winners have used the Grants to achieve incredible results for their communities, such as 2018 Community Grant winner Big Fat Smile, which now runs photography lessons through its after-school programs.

After the public cast more than 5000 votes for 2019 finalists across the Oceania region, Canon now awards over $30,000 worth of grants to seven projects in Australia and New Zealand. The Grants include both equipment and funding. In the 13 years since the program launched, Canon has offered almost $400,000 in grants to over 75 schools and not-for-profit groups to help them maximise their impact on the environment, education and society.

Australia’s four winning projects help disadvantaged women find work, promote STEM education and opportunities for children, protect imperilled species and conserve healthy ecosystems, and help community members better understand nutritious food.

Sharing their excitement to have won the Environment Grant, Aussie Ark’s Curator, Liz Gabriel, shares: “So much of our vital work relies on educating people about our beautiful and unique wildlife, and this amazing new equipment will ensure we can do this. Canon’s donation is a wonderful gift as we rely solely on the generosity of the community to help ensure our threatened native wildlife has a long-term future. Thank you again Canon for supporting Aussie Ark and wildlife conservation.”

The 2019 finalist selections were based on each project’s potential to positively impact the community and environment, as well as the degree to which Canon products would help bring the project to life. A public vote, which ran throughout August, decided the ultimate winners. With so many worthy organisations applying for the Grants, Canon has also awarded the additional finalists a $500 voucher to spend on Canon equipment that supports their initiatives.

“Every year we at Canon are inspired by the breadth of organisations looking to make a positive contribution to our society and environment. With an enormous number of applications, we are reminded of the remarkable work that Australians and New Zealanders are undertaking to benefit future generations in their communities,” said Dave Yoshida, Managing Director, Canon Oceania.

Yoshida continues: “At Canon, we’re passionate about Kyosei, which means ‘living and working together for the common good’, and it’s why we’re so proud to support these organisations and provide them with the tools they need to further their causes. We can’t wait to see how this year’s winners use their Grants to truly make a positive difference to their communities and our environment.”

Pearl Dy

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Pearl Dy is a community manager and journalist. She is passionate about business and development particularly involving not-for-profits, charity and social entrepreneurship.

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