Community Impact & Foundations
Investing in change that matters since 1879.
History
We’ve been helping people in need for over 140 years. Doing good is in our DNA.
In 1879, Westpac became the first company in Australia to establish a charitable organisation. Launched by then CEO Thomas Buckland, the Buckland Fund (now part of the Westpac Foundation) originally helped widows and orphans of bank employees.
Since then, we’ve invested heavily to establish four other philanthropic foundations, including St.George, Bank of Melbourne, BankSA Foundations and Westpac Scholars Trust. The last of which was formed in 2014 with a $100 million gift to fund 100 scholarships a year, forever. At the time this was the largest philanthropic endeavour by an Australian corporate.
Vision
In continuing our support of the foundations, along with our employee programs, we are determined to make a difference by backing the people and organisations who are building better futures for all Australians.
Strategic approach
The foundations focus on the areas that matter to our customers, communities and people – job creation, investing in next generation leaders and supporting young people facing challenges.
In alignment with the foundations, Westpac Group employees are also able to contribute to driving purposeful and sustainable progress through their participation in our employee programs.
Together with the foundations, we are seeking to:
- Create 10,000 jobs for people facing disadvantage by 2030 (target exceeded in FY24)
- Award 100 scholarships a year forever, to individuals transforming the future of Australia
- Improve educational and well-being outcomes for children and young people in local areas where we operate
- Empower Westpac Group employees to give back through skilled volunteering
- Match employee donations through our Matched Giving Program.
Impact
$90M+
Collective investment by the Foundations in the last decade.
$28M
Invested by Westpac Foundation to create more than 10,000 jobs for disadvantaged Aussies in the last decade.
$48M
Awarded to Westpac Scholars since 2015, including university co-funding.
$28M
Invested by St.George, BankSA & Bank of Melbourne Foundations to local charities creating brighter futures for children and young people since 2014.
We measure impact using grant partner provided statistics alongside our own financials and internal surveys, including the Westpac Scholars Trust Long-Term Impact Evaluation and annual Scholar Survey.
2024 Foundations Impact Report
In 2024, the foundations delivered significant impact in the local community by creating jobs, empowering future leaders and helping children and young people thrive. Find out more about their collective achievements.
Westpac Group Foundations win award for best grants program
Four foundations established by Westpac Group have together been awarded Best Grants Program at the 2024 Australian Workplace Giving Awards.
Our foundations
Westpac Foundation
Investing in job creation by providing funding and programs to help create jobs and opportunities for those facing barriers to work.
Westpac Scholars
Investing in the next generation to transform the future of Australia by awarding 100 scholarships a year, forever.
St.George Foundation
Investing in small, local charities helping to create brighter futures for children and young people in our communities.
Bank of Melbourne Foundation
Investing in small, local charities helping children and young people in Victoria thrive.
BankSA Foundation
Investing in small, local charities helping children and young people realise their potential in South Australia and Northern Territory.
Employee programs & other community initiatives
Through our Workplace Giving Program #DoubleTheGood, we focus our impact on five key areas important to both our people and our purpose of creating better futures together. Westpac matches employee donations to more than 150 charities aligned to the following areas:
- Support in good times and bad
- Action on climate and nature
- Equitable and inclusive societies
- Health and wellbeing
- Westpac Group Foundations.
We also actively encourage our people to volunteer their time and skills to support the local community organisations and causes they are most passionate about through the provision of general volunteering leave and a range of programs, including:
- Westpac Group Skilled Volunteering: An opportunity for Westpac employees to offer community organisations expertise in marketing, strategy, HR, governance, risk, and finance.
- Westpac Community Ambassador Program: An opportunity for Westpac employees to establish a two-way partnership with a community organisation. Employees will develop social leadership skills while offering the support, knowledge, and resources of Westpac to drive positive change for customers and communities.
- Westpac Board Observer Program: An immersive governance opportunity for Westpac employees to offer their expertise and business acumen by attending board meetings at a not-for-profit organisation as an observer for a period of twelve months.
- Jawun Secondments: An opportunity for Westpac employees to assist Indigenous organisations in refining and delivering their initiatives on country while developing their own social leadership and professional skills.
A number of our commercial sponsorships also have a community focus. Find out more about these programs here.
Sustainability is about constantly challenging ourselves on ways we seek to create the most meaningful economic, social and environmental impact where it matters most to our customers, communities, employees and our business.
We aim to integrate sustainability into our operations through our Sustainability Strategy, which is supported by a variety of position statements, policies, and action plans. Find out more about our approach to sustainability.
We provide regular reporting and aim to be as transparent as possible to help stakeholders compare our performance over time through our Sustainability Reports.
We offer a range of products and services for community organisations and social enterprises, including:
- Tailored banking services for social sector organisations
- Supplier opportunities for social enterprises through our Supplier Diversity and Inclusion program
- Assistance for Westpac Group customers in financial difficulty through our Westpac Assist team.
We have many initiatives to partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations to help build stronger, more prosperous communities.
Visit the First Nations Hub to find out more.
Related articles
Making inclusive employment fashionable
Launching on the scene in 2014, The Social Outfit started with a bold vision to kick-start the careers of refugee and new migrant women through beautiful and ethical fashion. With support from Westpac Foundation, it has triumphed to carve a name for itself in an extremely competitive industry while delivering on its social purpose.
Westpac Scholar determined to improve health outcomes in Australia
Early career researcher, Monica Phimmachanh is on a mission to advance cancer treatment in Australia. With the backing of Westpac Scholars Trust, she just completed a PhD at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research – work that could transform health outcomes for cancer patients.
Bringing joy to children with disabilities
Families of children with disabilities face numerous challenges and expenses to support their child’s everyday needs, but it’s the priceliess smiles that Morris Children’s Fund is delivering via its music therapy program that’s leaving the biggest imprint on parents and children alike.
Helping marginalised students reach their full potential
The Australian Business Community Network Scholarship Foundation (ABCN) is making a world of difference supporting marginalised students across Australia with their three-year Accelerate mentoring and scholarship program, supported by St.George Foundation.
Empowering youth and transforming futures
We are delighted to announce St.George, BankSA, and Bank of Melbourne Foundation have awarded their 2025 Inspire Grants to five remarkable local charities - GO Foundation, EPIC Pathways, Country Education Foundation of Australia, Australian Business Community Network Scholarship Foundation and Skyline Education Foundation.
Things you should know
In addition to establishing the foundations, Westpac Group continues to provide administrative support, skilled volunteering, and funding for operational costs for the Foundations, although they are not part of the Westpac Group.