Australia's First Corporate Directory
20 March 2003 at 12:03 pm
Philanthropy Australia has produced the first Australian directory of corporate philanthropy – The Australian Directory of Corporate Community Involvement.
The Directory lists 170 companies and documents the contribution of Australian business to the community.
Philanthropy Australia says this first-ever publication is a landmark achievement for the philanthropic sector in charting the major contribution made by Australian business to community life.
Designed for use by community organisations seeking funding, the directory details the types of corporate social responsibility programs and policies of Australia’s top companies, including in-kind and staff volunteer programs.
Elizabeth Cham, the National Director of Philanthropy Australia says the new directory will be an invaluable source of information about the corporate social responsibility programs and policies of major companies and the only guide of its kind available.
Cham says about one-fifth of Philanthropy Australia’s membership consists of companies with foundations or dedicated corporate giving programs which play a crucial role in Australian’s developing philanthropic sector.
Some of the companies listed in the Directory include: AGL (The Australian Gas Light Company), Alcoa World Alumina Australia, Bendigo Bank, Chiquita Brands South Pacific Ltd., Coca-Cola Amatil Limited, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Fisher & Paykel, Goldfields Ltd., Hansen Yuncken Pty Ltd., Hydro-Electric Corporation, Honda Australia, Hoyts Cinema Ltd., IBM Australia Ltd., Just Jeans Group Ltd., Lion Nathan, News Corporation, Perpetual Trustees Australia Limited, Qantas Airways Ltd., Rio Tinto, Sons of Gwalia Ltd and Telstra.
Cham says there are many Australian companies contributing to the communities in which they operate. This is a timely publication, of equal value to Australian business and to community organisations.
Marigold Southey AM, is the President of Philanthropy Australia and President of the Myer Foundation and says from personal experience she knows how important corporate philanthropy has been to Australian society.
Myer family philanthropy originated with her father, Sidney Myer’s own corporate philanthropy.
Australian trusts and foundations distribute about tens of millions of dollars annually to the Australian community, mainly in the areas of arts and culture, health, education and welfare. Philanthropy is often referred to as venture capital providing the seed funding to the community sector. It is also significantly responsible for the development of Australia’s international medial research reputation, landcare and the current social entrepreneur movement.
Philanthropy Australia is the national peak body for the philanthropic sector. It promotes and protects the interests of private, corporate and community giving in Australia. The Directory, which is the companion volume to the Australian Directory of Philanthropy, is now available at a cost of $50 and can be ordered on-line at www.philanthropy.org.au.
