Dick Smith distributes part of $1M to charity
19 August 2014 at 9:36 am
Millionaire philanthropist Dick Smith has given away the first half million dollars to charity in his million dollar 2014 Charity Breakthrough pledge.
As part of the Dick Smith Foods Foundation initiative to donate $1 million to charity in 2014, with the supporters of Dick Smith Foods being the sole decision makers as to where the money will go, the 38 charities to receive a share of $510,000 have been named.
In a presentation ceremony held at the Wayside Chapel, Smith presented cheques to the charities that had received the most votes to date.
Wollongong-based youth led organisation, Top Blokes Foundation, and the University of New South Wales’ Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing both received the highest amount of $50,000 each.
The Smith Family, IAIM Australia, Gidget Foundation, Barnados Australia and Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association followed, each receiving $20,000.
As part of the pledge, in the twelve-month period between 1 January and 31 December 2014, $1 million will be donated based on votes received.
In late 2013, Smith and his wife Pip handed over the intellectual property for Dick Smith Foods to a new Foundation, The Dick Smith Foods Foundation, which was set up as a Private Ancillary Fund (PAF).
Voting for the second round is now open. Votes can be made by taking a photograph of any Dick Smith Foods product/s in your pantry and emailing it to charity@dicksmithfoods.com.au together with your nomination for the charity you wish to support.
The first 38 charities to receive their share in the $510,000 are now ineligible to receive a donation in the second round at the end of 2014.
The 38 charities that received a share in $510,000 as part of the $1 million total donations for 2014 include:
Top Blokes Foundation $50,000
UNSW – Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing $50,000
The Smith Family $20,000
IAIM Australia $20,000
Gidget Foundation $20,000
Barnardos Australia $20,000
Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association $20,000
Vision Australia $10,000
SPELD Qld $10,000
Conservation Volunteers Australia $10,000
Foundation of Angelman Syndrome Therepeutics Australia $10,000
Interchange Loddon Mallee Region $10,000
Outward Bound Australia $10,000
Life Education Australia $10,000
The Wayside Chapel $10,000
Intework Inc. $10,000
Sailors with DisABILITIES $10,000
Variety – the Children's Charity $10,000
Delta Society Australia $10,000
Parkinson's NSW $10,000
Foodbank NSW $10,000
Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation $10,000
St Vincent de Paul Society $10,000
Centre for Eye Research Australia $10,000
Camp Quality $10,000
Cystic Fibrosis Victoria $10,000
Australian National Eisteddfod $10,000
Scouts Australia NSW Branch $10,000
Northern Beaches Interchange $10,000
Youth Off the Streets $10,000
Women and Infants Research Foundation $10,000
Taralye Foundation $10,000
The Shepherd Centre $10,000
Melanoma Institute Australia $10,000
Royal Flying Doctor Service $10,000
The Reach Foundation $10,000
Hear and Say – Centre for Deaf Children Ltd. $10,000
Reef Check Foundation Ltd. $10,000