Community Impact & Foundations

History

We’ve been helping people in need for over 140 years. Doing good is in our DNA.

In 1879, Westpac became the first company in Australia to establish a charitable organisation. Launched by then CEO Thomas Buckland, the Buckland Fund (now part of the Westpac Foundation) originally helped widows and orphans of bank employees.

Since then, we’ve invested heavily to establish four other philanthropic foundations, including St.George, Bank of Melbourne, BankSA Foundations and Westpac Scholars Trust. The last of which was formed in 2014 with a $100 million gift to fund 100 scholarships a year, forever. At the time this was the largest philanthropic endeavour by an Australian corporate.  

Vision

In continuing our support of the foundations, along with our employee programs, we are determined to make a difference by backing the people and organisations who are building better futures for all Australians.  

Strategic approach

The foundations focus on the areas that matter to our customers, communities and people – job creation, investing in next generation leaders and supporting young people facing challenges.  

In alignment with the foundations, Westpac Group employees are also able to contribute to driving purposeful and sustainable progress through their participation in our employee programs.

Together with the foundations, we are seeking to:  

• Create 10,000 jobs for people facing disadvantage by 2030
• Award 100 scholarships a year forever, to individuals transforming the future of Australia
• Improve educational and well-being outcomes for children and young people in local areas where we operate
• Empower Westpac Group employees to give back through skilled volunteering
• Match employee donations through our Matched Giving Program. 

Impact

In 2024, we invested $57 million in the community through charitable gifts, matched giving and community partnerships.

The foundations also contributed an additional $11 million.

Our ongoing commitment to the community was recognised by Forbes earlier this year, who named us Australia’s #1 bank for corporate giving. We were also ranked fifth overall among all Australian corporations.

$57M

Community Investment by Westpac Group in 2024 including charitable gifts, matched giving and community partnerships.

$52M

Provided by Westpac Foundation to more than 700 social enterprises and community partners creating 10,141 jobs for disadvantaged Aussies since 2015.

$45M

Invested by Westpac Scholars Trust into 820+ scholarships for our next generation of leaders since 2016.

$28M

Provided by St.George, BankSA & Bank of Melbourne Foundations to local charities creating brighter futures for children and young people since 2014.

We measure impact using grant partner provided statistics alongside our own financials and internal surveys, including the Westpac Scholars Trust Long-Term Impact Evaluation and annual Scholar Survey. 

Employee programs & other community initiatives