Westpac Foundation announces 2018 social enterprise grant recipients

17 December 2018
 

Westpac Foundation has announced its 2018 social enterprise grant recipients, recognising four organisations that together are forecast to create over 1,250 jobs and employment pathways for vulnerable Australians over the next three years1. Together with the ten social enterprises already supported, the 14 businesses are forecast to create 5,800 jobs, training and work experience pathways by 20221.
 

Green Collect (VIC), The Christie Centre Inc (CCI) (VIC), Dunn & Lewis Youth Development Foundation (NSW) and Nundah Community Enterprise Co-operative (NCEC) (QLD) will each receive $300,000 over three years, as well as access to skills and programs to help them scale their business.
 

The four enterprises operate across a diverse range of sectors yet have a common goal of creating Award-wage paying jobs and employment pathways for individuals facing barriers to mainstream employment.
 

Green Collect CEO, Sally Quinn, says she is thrilled to be a recipient of a Westpac Foundation social enterprise grant.
 

“As we partner with Westpac Foundation to scale our business, new jobs will be created that also recognise the uniqueness and potential of jobseekers distanced from employment due to mental illness. We thank the Foundation for sharing our vision of inclusive workplaces and sustainable cities.”
 

Green Collect, The Christie Centre Inc and Dunn & Lewis Youth Development Foundation have previously been supported by Westpac Foundation through its Community Grants program. They now have the opportunity to significantly scale up their engagement with Westpac Foundation and the organisation’s broader network.
 

“Our financial investment is just the beginning,” said Westpac Foundation CEO, Susan Bannigan. “As a charitable foundation connected with one of the largest companies in Australia, we can connect the organisations we support to a huge network of Westpac Group employee volunteers as well as help facilitate access to business expertise and connections to help increase their financial strength and social impact for the longer term.”
 

Investment in job creation is a key pillar of Westpac Foundation’s new 2030 strategy, with a goal of changing the lives of 100,000 individuals for the better in Australia. This includes the creation of 10,000 new jobs and employment pathways.
 

“By helping people gain meaningful employment we can start to change lives, families, communities and Australia,” Ms Bannigan said.
 

The 2030 strategy was introduced alongside Westpac Foundation’s 2018 Impact Report (PDF 4MB) at its annual Changemakers Summit, which saw over 90 social and not-for-profit organisations come together in Sydney to share ideas and best practices, learn new skills and build new connections.
 

1 These figures are forecasts provided by our social enterprise grantees on the jobs and pathways they will create over the 3 years of their grant funding.

 

2018 Westpac Foundation social enterprise grant recipients
 

Green Collect Green Collect works with businesses in Victoria to find the best environmental outcome for hard-to-recycle office waste. The organisation creates employment for people facing significant disadvantage due to mental health diagnoses, risk of homelessness, or refugee experiences. Westpac Foundation first supported Green Collect with a Community Grant in 2012 followed by additional grants in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
The Christie Centre The Christie Centre Inc (CCI) has been a major provider of support for people living with a physical, sensory, intellectual or psychological disability in the Mildura region for over 60 years. CCI has five firmly established social enterprises accounting for 39% of its annual revenue, employing 21 supported employees and providing training and work pathways for 40 people. Previously Westpac Foundation supported The Christie Centre with a Community Grant in 2017.
The Dunn & Lewis Youth Foundation The Dunn & Lewis Youth Foundation’s aim is to provide the opportunity for all young people, especially youth at risk, to participate in programs and training to gain meaningful employment. Fundamental to the aspirations of the Foundation is the staged development of the Dunn Lewis Centre, a multi-purpose youth and community facility of world-class standard, located at Ulladulla on the Far South Coast of NSW. Since opening, the Centre has provided work experience, training and employment for over 200 young people. Westpac Foundation supported the Foundation with a Community Grant in 2015.
Nundah Community Enterprises Cooperative (NCEC)  Nundah Community Enterprises Cooperative (NCEC) operates hospitality and gardening businesses creating long-term employment, job placements and training for people with a disability and for refugees. As well as employment via its Espresso Train Café and Parks & Gardens businesses, NCEC also supports people with disability to develop their own micro-businesses, providing business advice, administrative support and access to markets. Some remain under the scaffolding of the co-operative and some become independent business owners. Westpac Foundation first supported NCEC with a social enterprise grant in 2009 and a Community Grant in 2016.