Macquarie staff in the community

In the 2010 financial year, Macquarie staff raised $A6.8 million for not-for-profit organisations.

Some staff hold cake stalls, do fun runs, shave their heads or wear loud shirts for good causes. Some participate in gruelling endurance events while others prefer to work behind the scenes, helping not-for-profit organisations co-ordinate major fundraising events. Some raise a few dollars, others raise many thousands. Collectively, it amounts to an outstanding community contribution.

Many examples of Macquarie staff volunteering, fundraising and pro bono activity can be found in the Foundation’s quarterly staff newsletters.

Community advisory committees also operate in many of Macquarie’s major offices and provide a focus for staff wishing to contribute to the community. These committees enable staff to meet regularly to hear about the Foundation’s latest programs, receive briefings from not-for-profit organisations and coordinate staff involvement in community events.

 

Each year we recognise outstanding staff contributions to the community through our Macquarie Staff Community Awards. The winners each receive $A10,000 to donate to the not-for-profit organisations they support. A Highly Commended award of $A2000 and a Team Award of $A5000 are also given.

The Macquarie Staff Community Awards are presented in three categories: Volunteer of the Year, Fundraiser of the Year and Pro Bono Adviser of the Year. The Team Award is presented in one of these three categories.

The winner of the 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award was:

• Catherine Hope (Banking and Financial Services, Sydney) for her volunteering work with child welfare agency Barnardos since 2004, when she began working closely with a nine-year-old girl growing up in a very disadvantaged environment. Catherine acted as a tutor, mentor, friend and role model to the girl who is now 16 years-old and has a full-time job.

The 2010 Fundraiser of the Year was:

• Ray Mays (Corporate Affairs Group, New York) who has raised close to $300,000 (including Macquarie Group Foundation matching) for the Muscular Dystrophy Association since 2008. Ray has worked tirelessly to promote MDA’s mission, serving as Executive Co-Chair of A Taste of Down Under, MDA’s major fundraising event, for the past two years.

The 2010 Pro-Bono Adviser of the Year was:

• Nancy Stermer (Corporate and Asset Finance, Bloomfield Hills) for her work with The Children’s Center, an organization that helps some of the community’s most troubled children. Nancy has advised on program development, strategic planning and sustainable funding committees, as well as consulting on leadership training, competitor benchmarking and accreditation, and providing hands-on volunteer scheduling.

The 2010 Team of the Year was:

• The Manila Information Technology Group Charity Committee (Manila) which won for a variety of fundraising and hands-on volunteering activities over the year. These included collecting old cans and spare network cables to sell, with proceeds donated to the Hospicio De San Jose, raising money for the La Mesa Dam and tree planting project and inviting children from Hospicio De San Jose to attend a fully-costumed Halloween party.

 

The Macquarie Group Foundation endeavours to provide time and expertise to community activities, as well as financial support. In particular, we encourage and support Macquarie staff in their community activities through a range of policies, advice and resources.

Staff donation support

In the 12 months to 31 March 2010, Macquarie staff raised $A6.8 million for community organisations through a variety of activities, with the Macquarie Group Foundation providing matching donations under its staff donation support policy.

Staff participation support

Many Macquarie staff work for not-for-profit organisations in an executive capacity, serving as board members, providing strategic advice or taking on a management role. In recognition of their service, the Foundation makes $10,000 grants to the community organisations they serve.

Macquarie board register and executive level support

The Macquarie Group Foundation has developed a board register of senior executives who are prepared to serve on not-for-profit boards. The register enables the Foundation to nominate a range of candidates when it receives requests from community organisations to fill board vacancies. In this way, the Foundation is working to ensure the not-for-profit sector has access to executives with proven management experience.

The Foundation also seeks to build skill levels within not-for-profit organisations, offering workshops in media management, brand management and human resources.

Community advisory committees

Community advisory committees have been established in all of Macquarie's key regional offices to involve staff in the Foundation's activities. The committees meet regularly to hear about the Foundation's latest programs, receive briefings from not-for-profit organisations and provide feedback on the Foundation's community role.

Macquarie Giving

Macquarie Giving enables staff to regularly contribute to their preferred charities directly from their monthly pay. Staff currently donate to more than 300 charities through the scheme. Donations made through Macquarie Giving are matched by the Foundation.

Long service grants

Each year, more than 100 Macquarie staff reach milestones of 10 years or 25 years service with Macquarie. In recognition of their long service, the Foundation donates $1,000 to the community organisation of their choice.