Foundation
Areas of focus
To help guide the distribution of grants to worthwhile charities, the Foundation has identified five key areas of focus. The following table also shows the allocation of grants in percentage terms for projects funded by the Foundation since its inception in 2002:
Education, training and employment
To support organisations that offer innovative programmes to encourage people to take advantage of learning, training and education opportunities in order to further lasting employment prospects.
Community health
To assist organisations that conduct programmes, research, health promotion education and awareness projects with the express purpose of improving the health and well being of the Australian community. Projects will have a focus on:
- increasing participation in physical activity;
- greater education, training and employment opportunities;
- improved nutrition intake; and
- greater social cohesion.
Migrant and indigenous community welfare
To support the development and implementation of programmes and projects that assist migrant and indigenous communities throughout Australia in the areas of:
- social cohesion;
- youth issues and family preservation;
- health;
- education and training;
- employment; and
- address issues of cultural identity and cultural conflict.
Crisis support
Support organisations that provide practical assistance and solutions to those facing crisis related situations such as mental and physical illness, loss of employment, homelessness or family breakdown.
Youth at risk
To support organisations that address the issues of disadvantaged and disenfranchised youth in areas related to:
- drug dependency prevention and rehabilitation;
- homelessness;
- mental health issues; and
- suicide prevention.
There is a particular emphasis on outcomes that enhance education, training and employment.
Medical research
To support innovative projects by leading Australian research institutes, teaching hospitals and universities in biomedical research (preferably with near-term or concurrent clinical applications) that focuses on causes, prevention and treatment of:
- vital organ diseases;
- lifestyle diseases; and
- neurobiological diseases.
International aid and assistance
In recognition of Australia’s favourable economic position compared to others in the world, the Foundation looks to support causes, particularly in the Asian region and in countries where the Bennelong Group is represented, where significant and lasting health, education or employment benefits can be gained with relatively limited resources.