Flight Centre Foundation has unveiled the recipients of its annual Giving Grants program with a focus on charities providing employment pathways for vulnerable and disadvantaged community groups.
Thanks to the company’s workplace giving program fuelled by Flight Centre employees, Meals with Impact, Steps Pathway College, Brainwave Australia, For Change Co and Zoe Support Australia will each receive an equal share of $75,000 prior to Christmas.
All five charities assist a diverse range of people to enter the workforce, from refugees and young mums, to people with brain injuries and the homeless. Skills taught and jobs created cover everything from cooking skills and bicycle repair work to transportation and retail.
“Our Flight Centre Travel Group employees, through our grants program, are thrilled to help people experiencing barriers to mainstream employment,” said Allisa O’Connell, Flight Centre’s head of people and culture.
“What’s extra rewarding is that many of these charities have a dual purpose, such as helping the circular economy through saving bikes from landfill and repairing them, and providing food for other people in need.”
The Foundation called for not-for-profits to apply for the Giving Grants if they met the employment pathways criteria, and all of Flight Centre Travel Group’s 4900 employees were invited to vote for their preferred charity.
“The Giving Grants are only made possible through the commitment of our people to generously support Australian charities through workplace giving so we want them to have the final say in how their contributions will make the biggest impact,” O’Connell said.
The Foundation has donated over $20 million dollars globally ($15 million in Australia) since its inception in 2008. Employees give through workplace giving and Flight Centre Travel Group matches their donations dollar for dollar.
“Flight Centre Travel Group also provides our people an annual volunteer day every year where they can help a charity of their own choosing,” O’Connell continued.
“They’ve spent their volunteer leave doing everything from planting trees, cooking up meals, writing Christmas cards for kids in foster care, helping clean and care for animals and much more.”
Featured image: Zoe Support Australia helps young mothers (13-25) escape poverty cycles, ill health, destitution and distress by re-engaging them in education, employment and social programs.
