Westpac Foundation has exceeded its goal of helping secure 10,000 jobs for Australians facing barriers to work, five years ahead of its 2030 target.
Since 2015, the Foundation has helped secure 10,141i job opportunities by partnering with 61 social enterprises and community organisations across Australia through its grant programs.
This includes both the creation of jobs with its social enterprise community partners and the supported transition of individuals into mainstream employment opportunities.
"Surpassing this milestone five years early is a testament to the extraordinary efforts of our social enterprise and community partners, whose work is transforming lives in communities across Australia," said Amy Lyden, CEO of Westpac Foundation.
"Supporting job opportunities isn't just about numbers-it's about giving people excluded from the mainstream job market a sense of purpose, belonging, and hope. It shows the power of collaboration and the impact we can achieve when businesses and community organisations work together on inclusive employment."
Westpac Foundation's grant programs provide multi-year funding and capacity building opportunities to help build each partner's financial sustainability and impact while also leveraging the skills, networks and resources of Westpac Group.
This major achievement marks a key milestone in the Foundation's mission to collaboratively create sustainable, inclusive employment pathways for people who face complex barriers to work.
"Our strategy has always been about long-term impact," added Lyden. "We don't just provide funding-we form enduring relationships and walk alongside our partners to help them grow, scale, and sustain their job creation efforts. Their success pushes us to keep striving even further."
For more than five years, food sharing social enterprise Free to Feed has partnered with Westpac Foundation to empower people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds to overcome barriers to social and economic inclusion through training and employment opportunities.
Free to Feed offers catering services and immersive cooking experiences where participants create authentic dishes from diverse cultures. During the classes, instructors -refugees or asylum seekers -share their personal stories, providing an opportunity for cross-cultural connection.
Since its inception in 2015, Free to Feed has blossomed into one of Victoria's most acclaimed cooking experiences and catered event companies, providing over $2 million in employment wages and 63,000 hours of training to more than 400 participants through the creation of shared culturally diverse and authentic food experiences.
"Westpac Foundation's support of our business has been instrumental in our journey towards sustainable growth," Free to Feed 's CEO, Loretta Bolotin said. "Their backing goes beyond funding; they've given us crucial opportunities and connections, helped us navigate many challenges and allowed us to expand and evolve our employment program year after year."
The Foundation plans to build on this momentum having just announced they will award more than $2.9 million to 45 jobs-focused community partners in 2024.
"We know the work isn't over. With nearly two million Australians unemployed or underemployed, addressing this issue is critical to Australia's future prosperity," Lyden said. "Our commitment to supporting job opportunities continues, as we partner with organisations that share our vision of a more inclusive Australia where everyone has access to meaningful employment."
Westpac Foundation along with four other philanthropic foundations established by Westpac Group, have invested over $100 million in the last decade to help disadvantaged people find long-term employment, create next generation leaders and help children thrive. Together, they've been helping people in need for over 140 years.
