Macquarie Bank Foundation increases support for Indigenous Programs

18 June 2007

Two indigenous arts initiatives have been approved by the Macquarie Bank Foundation at its latest quarterly board meeting, to assist Aboriginal writers and film makers in telling their stories.

In addition, funding has been given to the Exodus Foundation’s Redfern Tutorial Centre, to develop the reading and cognitive skills of indigenous children in Years 5 and 6.

The Foundation has committed new funding to the Macquarie Bank Indigenous Professional Development Program run by the Australian Film Television and Radio School, to train indigenous Australians in the broadcast and screen industry.

It has also agreed to support Varuna’s LongLines Program for another two years, assisting writers from remote and regional areas. In a new program offering, LongLines plans to introduce outreach support for indigenous writers.

The two arts initiatives follow the success of pilot projects previously funded by the Foundation and build on its support for a range of indigenous initiatives.

The Foundation also approved new capacity building grants to Charities Aid Foundation Australia to further develop workplace giving initiatives in Australia and to Youngcare, to provide new accommodation for young people with injury or illness who have previously had to live in aged care facilities.

Capacity building funding is designed to enable not-for-profit organisations to implement growth strategies and the Macquarie Bank Foundation is understood to be the first foundation in Australia to allocate funding specifically for this purpose.

Since introducing funding for capacity building in May 2006, at the request of the not-for-profit sector, the Foundation has approved grants worth in excess of $5 million to 10 community organisations, including the Bionic Ear Institute, Philanthropy Australia, the Pathways Foundation and the Australian Bush Heritage Fund.

In line with Macquarie’s increasing offshore presence, the Foundation approved a number of international grants.

These included funding to the East London Business Alliance to support an apprenticeship scheme in disadvantaged areas of London, a scholarship program run by the College Women’s Association of Japan and support for the Foundation for Mother and Child Health in India.

In the year to 31 March 2007, the Macquarie Bank Foundation contributed $12.6 million in funding to more than 500 community organisations.

Macquarie staff raised and donated a further $4.1 million, taking Macquarie’s total community contribution to $16.7 million.

In addition, Macquarie staff provided many hours of volunteer, pro bono and executive support to a wide range of not-for-profit organisations.

For more information, please contact:

Karen Boalch
Communications Manager
Macquarie Bank Foundation
Tel: (612) 8232 7339
Email: karen.boalch@macquarie.com