Foundations and Charities

For a long time now, I’ve been involved in the world of foundations and charities. Most people comment that it takes a person with a big heart to donate her time the way I do but I actually find this embarrassing because honestly, the reward rests with me. If you have ever volunteered or worked with a charity, you will know that having the opportunity to be part of this beautiful world is actually a privilege itself. It’s a privilege to be in a position where you can help. It’s a privilege to work with charities, learn their stories and in some way, even in the slightest, be part of something that makes a difference.

About 5 years ago, I was introduced to the world of corporate foundations – that part of a corporate which aims to have a direct influence on impacting change in communities - and in recent years, I have seen a surge in corporate foundations in Australia… Still, we are nowhere near our counterparts in the US and the UK where it is deeply engrained in their culture that a giving arm is established along with any reputable business :(

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I am a champion of foundations. I believe having (employee/community) engagement initiatives and nurturing a meaningful relationship with charity partners will benefit both the charity and corporate/community sectors. So, whether it’s a corporate foundation or a private one, a foundation can be a vehicle that inspires – that can build the bridge between charities (the people who know how to help) and people who want to help (whether it’s a business, its employees, a community group, a family network). A foundation can serve as the missing link for people who want to help and not knowing where to start.

For me, working with foundations and charities is now an intrinsic part of me. Needless to say, we all have different hats to wear throughout our lifetime. I am, for instance, a daughter, a sister, a someone special, a friend, a colleague, a loyal customer who pays $1.10 for a bun at her local Chinese bakery every morning, 'miss'. But the hat I wear for my beloved foundations and charities will always be a favourite hat, a hat I wear proudly.

I’ve been asked to share some specific stories on the charities I’ve worked with. And I am very happy to do this :) Stay tuned.