Twenty community organisations across Australia will share in nearly $250,000 in funding from the Smartgroup Foundation’s 2025 grants program.
The successful applicants have each been awarded grants between $5,000 and $15,000 for unique projects that deliver tangible impact and align with one or more of the Foundation’s three key focus areas:
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Natural climate solutions and decarbonisation technologies
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Inclusive and equitable communities
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Financial wellness and education
These projects also reflect alignment with Smartgroup’s broader sustainability strategy, reinforcing a commitment to creating long-term, meaningful change across environmental and social issues and financial wellbeing.
The Smartgroup Foundation was established in 2019 by Smartgroup Corporation Ltd, an ASX-listed employee services business and leading provider of salary packaging, novated leasing and fleet management solutions across the government, health, education and not-for-profit sectors.
Sophie MacIntosh, Chair of the Smartgroup Foundation, said a record 178 grant applications were received by the Foundation this year, making the selection process particularly challenging for the assessment committee.
“The applications we received reflected the breadth and depth of community-led efforts across the country,” Ms MacIntosh said.
“They ranged from biodiversity and wildlife focused initiatives to programs improving accessibility for some of our most disadvantaged groups, and initiatives to build financial capability and wellbeing.”
The Foundation has now awarded $1.5 million in its seven years of operation, benefitting over 120 community projects.
“We are proud to support organisations working tirelessly to create a better future for Australians,” Ms MacIntosh said.
“Some of the projects supported this year are restoring native habitats, enhancing quality of life for chronically ill or disabled young people, providing meals and teaching cooking skills in disadvantaged communities and providing pathways to stable housing or employment through financial education and wellbeing programs. The work of these not-for-profit groups is inspiring and creating genuine, lasting social impact.”
The successful organisations are spread right across Australia, reflecting the Foundation’s commitment to supporting diverse communities and causes nationwide.
“Smartgroup is committed to positively contributing to the communities in which we live and operate – it is a core part of who we are as a business and aligns to our role we play in enabling better financial and social outcomes for Australians. Each year, we are inspired by the passion and innovation of our grant recipients. Their stories remind us of the power of community and the importance of supporting grassroots efforts that make a real difference,” Ms MacIntosh said.
The recipients of the 2025 Smartgroup Foundation grants are:
|
Organisation |
State |
Project |
|
Air Force Association WA Limited |
WA |
The Andrew Russell Veteran Living Program: A four-week hands-on cooking and budgeting program to support veterans in Western Australia experiencing or at risk of homelessness. |
|
Australian Music Examinations Board Limited |
VIC |
First Nations Composers Program: This initiative aims to improve First Nations representation across educational music resources. |
|
BackTrack Youth Works |
NSW |
Healthy Futures Through Cooking: This project will teach young people how to prepare and cook nourishing meals, while building essential life skills. |
|
BaptistCare |
NSW |
Hope and Wellness Program: BaptistCare Women’s Services Darlinghurst will deliver wellbeing sessions to disadvantaged and marginalised women in inner-Sydney to support mental and emotional health. |
|
Be Centre Foundation Limited |
NSW |
Play therapy support: This initiative will provide support for children aged 3-12 who have experienced domestic and family violence |
|
Camp Quality Limited |
NSW |
Cancer Education Program: The funding will enable the program to be delivered in NSW schools and early learning centres, busting myths about cancer and reducing exclusion of children transitioning back to school after cancer treatment. |
|
Eyes of Hope Ltd |
NSW |
Eyes of Hope branch expansion: Funding will go towards the purchase of eye care equipment to expand access to free eye checks and glasses via a mobile clinic. |
|
Fitted for Work Limited |
VIC |
Fast Tracking Women to Employment: This program will focus on supporting women from culturally and linguistically diverse communities into employment. |
|
Giant Steps Australia Ltd |
NSW |
Work Together: This education and training program supports profoundly autistic adults, aged 18-37, through skills and practical pathways to work. |
|
KYDS Youth Development Service Incorporated |
NSW |
Space for Pride – Jupiter LGBTQ+ Training Initiative: This project will upskill counsellors in supporting LGBTQ+ youth experiencing mental health challenges. |
|
Lutheran Care |
SA |
Wright Place women’s transitional accommodation: Funding will provide a safe and supportive environment for Adelaide women experiencing or at risk of homelessness. |
|
MacKillop Family Services |
VIC |
Nourishing Hope – The Bittersweet initiative: Funding will provide hands-on learning for students with social-emotional disabilities, by involving them in operating a school cafe at the MacKillop Education school in Geelong. |
|
Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation |
VIC |
Western Port Koala Corridor Project: Funding will enable planting of indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses on private properties along the corridor, within the City of Casey. |
|
Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Victoria Section) |
VIC |
The Flying Doctor Mobile Dental Truck: This service provides dental treatments to rural and remote Victorian towns. |
|
SecondBite |
QLD |
Meals for the Mob for Yarrabah PCYC – Full Bellies, Strong Futures: This project aims to cook and deliver 4500 healthy meals to this First Nations community in Far North Queensland, addressing food insecurity and promoting greater participation in education. |
|
Southern Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM South) |
TAS |
Rivers to Ramsar – Improving wetland health at Pitt Water-Orielton Lagoon: This project will remove African boxthorn, a noxious weed, from up to 3ha of riparian land and threatened temperate saltmarsh ecological community. |
|
St John Ambulance Western Australia Ltd |
WA |
Strong Hearts, Safe Hands – First Aid: The funding will enable first aid training to be delivered in schools across the Mandurah local government area. |
|
The Pyjama Foundation Ltd |
QLD |
Teen Life Skills Workshops: The funding will help deliver financial literacy, barista, resume writing and cooking lessons to support career pathways and build life skills. |
|
Treasure Boxes Incorporated |
SA |
Crisis Relief Support for Vulnerable Children and Families: Funding will enable the service to reach an additional 1000 children in urgent need and provide essentials like cots, clothing, toiletries, toys and nappies. |
|
Wildlife Recovery Australia Ltd trading as Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital |
NSW |
Specialist ICU Tank for Marine Turtle Rehabilitation: Energy efficient intensive care tanks will transform care and improve survival outcomes for critically ill and injured turtles. |
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