Westpac Foundation aims to deliver 200 community grants for 200th anniversary

Westpac Foundation’s goal for 2017 is to deliver 200 community grants for their 200^th anniversary.

“Westpac has a long and proud history of opening doors to a brighter future for Australia’s most disadvantaged, and in 2017 we have set a firm goal to deliver 200 community grants for our 200^th anniversary,” said Bernadette Inglis Westpac Group General Manager of Retail and Premium Bank and Westpac Foundation Board Trustee.

Grant recipients from the 2016 community grants program have recently been announced, community organisations received $954,000 worth of grants.

For the first time, this year’s grant recipients received ‘more than money’ non-financial support from Westpac. Acting as community grant ambassadors, a group of Westpac employees will mentor grant recipients to build their capacity to deliver more for the community.

“Westpac is partnering with smaller community groups that are tackling real-life problems to help create change for the longer term,” said Inglis.

“There is a real need to create brighter futures for Australians experiencing social disadvantage in our communities. For example, on any given night, 1 in 200 Australians are homeless, and alarmingly 24 per cent of these individuals are also victims of domestic or family violence.

“The organisations we support with community grants help to improve the quality of life of Australians affected by these types of complex social issues. We are also supporting local organisations focussed on youth at risk, people living with a disability and Indigenous Australians.”

Inglis said the Westpac Foundation will also be helping to provide educational opportunities for youth at risk in Western Australia and helping women experiencing domestic violence receive help and support from a community shelter in Tasmania.