Australian Ethical Community Grants open for 2014

Wednesday, 15 October, 2014

Superannuation and investment company Australian Ethical has announced its 2014 Community Grants program is now open, with $100,000 available to not-for-profit organisations, social enterprises and community projects. Australian Ethical donates 10% of its annual profits every year through the grants program, which is one of the highest percentages of corporate giving in Australia.

Grants are awarded to organisations conducting activities in Australia or overseas that deliver impactful, tangible outcomes and are in line with the Australian Ethical Charter. The company’s head of marketing and communications, Paul Smith, said the program provides “a great opportunity for organisations of all shapes and sizes to put forward their most impactful project that is in need of some valued funding”.

This year will see a change in the way the grants are released. The first round of grants will be for specific and impactful projects by organisations looking to positively impact people, animals or the environment with a prioritisation of project-based grant giving.

The first round of grants on offer will be:

Two grants of $20,000
Five grants of $10,000
Two grants of $5000

“Our products predominantly invest in listed companies that are positively impacting society and the planet in the fields of technology, healthcare, efficiency and clean, smart energy,” said Smith. “We are proud to extend that investment to visionary organisations that are working towards an ethical, sustainable future.”

Since the inception of the program 13 years ago, over $1.5 million in funding has been provided to various community organisations, including the Asylum Seeker Centre, East Timor Women Australia, Kokoda Track Foundation, Free to Shine, Street Swags, Communities@Work, Inanna, 40K Foundation Aust, Australian Conversation Foundation, Primary Ethics and The Orangutan Project.