Media releases

Grants worth over $190,000 enable positive change for Indigenous Australians

5 July 2016

 

Local organisations committed to creating better social futures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have received a record $190,943 in grants from Westpac Foundation through its annual Community Grants program.

 

Twenty community organisations across the country will receive grants valued at up to $10,000 each, to help improve the quality of life for more than 1,662 Indigenous Australians.

 

For the first time, this year's grant recipients will also receive 'more than money' non-financial support from Westpac. Acting as Community Grant Ambassadors, Westpac employees will work directly with grant recipients to build their capacity to deliver more for their community.

 

Bernadette Inglis, Westpac Group General Manager of Retail & Premium Bank and Westpac Foundation Board Trustee, said Westpac is partnering with small community groups that are helping to create positive, long-term change.

 

"At Westpac, we have long believed we have a responsibility to use our skills and connections in partnership with Indigenous Australians to help bridge economic and social disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

 

"Westpac Foundation Community Grants are one of many initiatives through which we are giving a boost to the people with the great ideas and endless passion to facilitate change in their communities, to shape a nation in which social and financial equity is shared by all Australians.

 

"From a mentoring program for young female Aboriginal students in Western Australia, to the Gondwana Choir in Northern Queensland, and a financial crisis support and relief hub in Western Sydney - the Westpac Foundation Community Grants are helping to tackle issues identified by Indigenous Australians, for Indigenous Australians," Ms Inglis said.

 

Across Australia, 100 community organisations have this year received a record $955,000 worth of grants from the Westpac Foundation.

Since 2012, 370 Westpac Foundation Community Grants worth over $3.5 million have been invested in projects that aim to improve the lives of Australia's most disadvantaged; helping to create opportunities that seek to break the cycle of social exclusion and poverty.

 

"Westpac has a long and proud history of opening doors to a brighter future for those Australians who need help most and in 2017 we have set a goal to deliver 200 Community Grants for our 200th anniversary," Ms Inglis added.

 

For more information on the Westpac Foundation Community Grants program and this year's recipients, please visit www.westpac.com.au/westpacfoundation.