The advantages to the corporate sector in partnering with not for profits go well beyond the ‘feel-good factor. By co-delivering services and acting as collaborators, the alignment allows corporates to fulfil their ESG obligations and along the way, become collaborators in improving communities around the State.
Several leading NFPs share their thoughts on the benefits to both sides of partnerships and how working alongside the sector offers the chance for corporates to elevate their ESG obligations and make a measurable impact as a result of their investment.
A holistic approach
At Foodbank WA, CEO Kate O’ Hara leads a team which wholeheartedly believes that a whole of community approach, working in collaboration with Government, corporate partners, community organisations and schools is required to really tackle food insecurity and stress.
“Our purpose is to feed, educate and advocate, and there are many ways in which we can and need to collaborate with corporates to meet this purpose,” she said
“To provide food relief requires more than food. There is a large infrastructure and logistics system that supports getting food to people in need. This system is a great way for corporates to partner with us to ensure we have more trucks on the road, fuel expenses covered and the right equipment to be more efficient.
“It is this support that has allowed us to become the largest food relief charity in WA, with a network that supports hundreds of thousands in need.”
In August 2022, Foodbank WA partnered with Mineral Resources and West Coast Eagles for the Million Meal Challenge initiative to help raise awareness about how he organisation supports those in need and generate one million meals for West Aussies doing it tough.
Mineral Resources pledged 1,000 meals per mark at the Round 19 game.
Chris Ellison, Mineral Resources Managing Director, said: “As a proud WA company we are committed to supporting initiatives like this to help build healthier and happier communities.
“Members of our 5,000 strong workforce and their families were at the game to take donations from the crowd and we were delighted to see the WA community dig deep for this very worthy cause.”
Similarly, the Alcoa Foundation recently donated a $75,000 boost to Anglicare WA’s Young Hearts counselling service which supports children and young people in the Kwinana and Peel regions.
Anglicare WA CEO Mark Glasson said Young Hearts received no government funding.
“This is a critical service for the region with demand increasing significantly since COVID-19. Yet Young Hearts relies entirely on the continued support and generosity of philanthropic partners like the Alcoa Foundation,” said Mr Glasson.
“This investment will go to supporting more children and young people affected by family and domestic violence in some of the communities near where Alcoa operates its Western Australian bauxite mines and alumina refineries; helping them to build healthy relationships and develop skills to thrive in the future.
“We are immensely proud of our continued partnership with the Alcoa Foundation and the positive impact it has on the local community, supporting some of the region’s most vulnerable people.”
Volunteers bridge the gap
It is not just financial donations that makes an impact. The army of volunteers who regularly show up at Foodbank WA’s hub are an essential workforce the NFP simple could not do without.
“We could not do what we do without volunteers to help us achieve our purpose,” said Ms O’ Hara.
“Volunteering at Foodbank WA offers a number of great team building activities with a purpose for corporates too. In particular, skilled volunteering is a great way to give back as it saves us in investing in that skill and can commit more on food relief and nutrition education.”
For example, Talison Lithium tag and test all donated electrical items in Foodbank WA’s Bunbury centre, and by partnering with the NFP, it sends a strong message of their commitment to the region.
As well as providing the financial support of its generous financial donation, 13 Alcoa employees visited the Anglicare WA Family & Relationship Centre in Rockingham in November 2022, volunteering their time to help paint and furnish Young Hearts counselling rooms, while learning more about the service.
