QBE Foundation reinvents local grants program for 2021
QBE Foundation has overhauled its Australian local grants program for 2021 to address three key areas that align closely to QBE’s sustainability priorities.
From 3 May, Australian charities who are working on initiatives addressing issues in the space of climate action, diversity equality and inclusion, and financial inclusion and resilience will be invited to apply for a grant of up to $25,000 each.
The Australia Pacific QBE Foundation will contribute a total of $300,000 to community initiatives through their local grants program in 2021. A minimum of three grants will be awarded per category, with additional grants available for QBE employees to apply for in collaboration with a charity they work with.
Over the last three years, the Australia Pacific QBE Foundation has contributed over AU$1.3 million to communities across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific through a mix of charity partnerships and local grants for smaller community initiatives.
An additional $341,000 in emergency relief grants also provided support to local communities and charity partners impacted by drought, bushfires and COVID-19.
Co-Chair of the Australia Pacific QBE Foundation, Jon Fox said that QBE Foundation’s refocused local grants program is an opportunity for the insurer to provide more meaningful support for community initiatives, and to align that support with areas of need where QBE feels it can make the biggest difference.
“We’ve reinvented our local grants program in Australia with a keen focus on supporting initiatives that align with our own business and sustainability objectives, because we know that these are the areas where we can make the biggest impact. We’re also offering larger grants than we have in the past, which will enable us to be a more valuable and supportive partner to our grant recipients.
“For the first time, we’re offering charities the opportunity to directly apply for a grant, in addition to encouraging our employees to apply in collaboration with a charity of their choice. We’re looking forward to hearing from innovative and impactful charities that we haven’t had the opportunity to work with before and to being introduced to more of the amazing work happening in our communities.
“I encourage charities across Australia who are actively working in the areas of climate action, diversity and inclusion, and financial resilience to apply for one of our grants.”
Applications will be accepted from 3 May to 7 June (12:00pm AEST) with the final grant recipients to be announced in September 2021.
For more information of the local grants program and for eligibility details, please visit: www.qbe.com/au/about/sponsorship-community/the-qbe-foundation/local-grants
About the QBE Foundation
The QBE Foundation partners with impactful not-for-profits around the world to protect vulnerable communities, enable financial resilience, strengthen their health and wellbeing, and to build more inclusive, sustainable communities. QBE Foundation’s Australia Pacific arm works across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Find out more at: www.qbe.com/au/about/sponsorship-community/the-qbe-foundation
For more information:
Emily Connell
External Communications Specialist
QBE Australia
+61 422 907 484
Email: emily.connell@qbe.com