Media releases

Westpac matches $2.65 million in employee donations to Australian charities

 

25 March 2014

Westpac Group and its employees have donated around $5.3 million to around 650 Australian-based charities as part of its Matching Gifts program for the 2013/14 financial year.

This represents a 16% increase from 2012/13.

Matching Gifts, which is in its 15th year, is Westpac’s largest corporate giving initiative and was the first of its kind to be introduced amongst Australian banks.

Since initiating the program in December 1998, Westpac and its employees have together donated more than $40 million to 1,700 charities.

Ms Carolyn McCann, General Manager, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, said Matching Gifts was a flagship community program within the bank, which creates significant value in a number of ways.

“By matching our employees’ donations we’re making a valuable contribution to charities right across the country which in turn deliver incredibly important social services to so many people in need,” Ms McCann said.

“What is great about this program is that we will support any charity our people choose, meaning an incredibly diverse range of organisations are supported right across the country.

“Our support for our employees’ generosity is also a source of pride for our people,” Ms McCann said.

Under the program, Westpac employees make donations to the charities of their choice throughout the year to 31 December. In March of the following year, Westpac matches those employee donations, dollar for dollar, enabling the charities to receive double the amount of the initial donation.