Nine local charities from around the country were chosen from 25 submissions to receive a grant of between $2,000 and $5,000 each from the AFA Foundation.

AFA Foundation Chair, Olivia Sarah-Le Lacheur said, “We were very pleased to see so many submissions this year, for charities right across Australia, including remote and regional locations, plus our very first submission from Tasmania.”

The Grants Program recipients include:

• Mama Lanas Community Foundation, NSW
• Goulburn Valley Family Care, VIC
• Pete’s Pantry, QLD
• The Pyjama Foundation, QLD
• Cancer Council – Gawler Relay for Life, SA
• Jamestown and District Royal Flying Doctor Service support group, SA
• A Paw Up, TAS
• Free 3D Hands, VIC
• St Patricks Community Support Centre, WA

Ms Sarah-Le Lacheur said that while fundraising opportunities have been limited this year, the AFA Foundation Committee, with the support of the AFA Executive, made the decision to continue with the 2020 Grant round.

“Restrictions imposed by COVID-19 mean the AFA is currently unable to host face-to-face events, which is where most of our fundraising traditionally takes place,” she said.

Ms Sarah-Le Lacheur said the AFA Foundation is now exploring new ways of fundraising using online donation capabilities and virtual fundraising events, like the Geoff Ramm ‘Celebrity Service’ webinar in July.

AFA CEO Philip Kewin said the AFA Foundation has reported that a number of the Grants Program recipients provide food or meal services, which are vital for those who have been impacted by COVID-19 changes to their income and employment status.

“It’s encouraging that our members are recognising and championing charities within their communities that are going the extra mile in these extremely difficult times,” he said. “The AFA Foundation has also reported that members are staying closely connected to the charities they have nominated, which allows us all to understand and appreciate the impact that the grants are having.”

Launched in 2019, the Grants Program offers AFA members the opportunity to nominate local charity partners that would benefit from a small donation, but might face challenges in finding funding via other avenues such as government assistance or larger charities. The nominated charity must have deductible gift recipient status and those nominating must be members of the AFA.

For more information, visit: https://www.afa.asn.au/about-us/afa-foundation

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About the AFA

The Association of Financial Advisers Limited (AFA) has been the authentic voice on the value of financial advice for over 70 years. Today, the AFA is a vibrant, innovative association, where the underlying driver of policy is the belief that great advice transforms lives. To this end the AFA is striving to achieve the vision of Great Advice for More Australians. The AFA’s ongoing relevance as a professional association is derived from its success in engaging with the major stakeholders in financial advice including advisers, consumers, licensees, product and service providers, and the regulator and government. Culturally the AFA believes in the value of collaboration to create powerful outcomes and this drives how we achieve influence and work towards our vision.