New giving initiative launched

The Coopers Foundation has introduced a new Sustainable Giving program to run in conjunction with its normal philanthropic work.

Under the program, an eligible charity or organisation will be awarded $150,000, paid over three years.

One new charity will be chosen each year, meaning that by 2019, the Foundation will be supporting three organisations simultaneously under the program.

Coopers Foundation Chair, Melanie Cooper, said the program had been in the planning stages since 2016 and was designed to provide long-term certainty for the chosen organisation.

“One of the challenges facing charities and organisations relying on charitable grants is that long-term planning is difficult,” she said.

“We see this as a way of helping reduce that uncertainty. The charity can plan for the future knowing they will have guaranteed income for the next three years.”

Ms Cooper said this year’s successful recipient would be chosen from the aged care, medical research, or health care sectors. The 2018 grant would focus on family and community, while 2019 would be dedicated to youth education.

More than 70 applications had been received by the June 1 closing date with the successful charity chosen at the Foundation’s September Board meeting.

In further news, the Foundation has reached a significant milestone, donating more than $4.2 million to 254 Australian charitable projects since its establishment in 2006.

The milestone was reached at the Foundation’s annual charity golf day, where more than $108,000 was raised for Youth Opportunities and Operation Flinders.