Our community investment strategy focuses our community efforts on assisting young people.
In keeping with this policy, BOQ proudly supports a range of ongoing programs aimed at making a positive impact on real issues affecting young Australians - the nation's future – to help them be the best they can be.
BOQ endeavours to invest in programs that benefit most of the communities in which our branches are located, to benefit as many people as possible.
Our focus on two-year partnerships, rather than one-off donations, means we can create truly meaningful relationships with our partners to allow you and our customers to become more involved.
We also have a range of staff initiatives to support our staff’s involvement in the community, and we give our shareholders the opportunity to support children's hospitals through our dividend donation program.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Major Partner: Children's Hospital Foundations Australia
Project: Banking on our Kids
Following the inaugural Banking on Queensland Kids appeal in 2004, a month-long fundraising appeal is held in July each year in support of Children's Hospital Foundations Australia (CHFA). The Appeal is run throughout our entire branch network by collecting donations and fundraising to help sick children everywhere get better, quicker. CHFA is a partnership of the five major children's hospital foundations in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia.
Major Partner: The Smith Family
Project: Learning for Life program
BOQ is helping The Smith Family to provide disadvantaged Aussie kids with mentoring support and financial scholarships, so that they can realise their potential through education. Through this partnership BOQ is helping The Smith Family support their Learning for Life mentoring program and fund 120 financial scholarships for high school students. By supporting mentoring for disadvantaged Aussie kids, BOQ is helping break the cycle of disadvantage.
Major Partner: Financial Basics Foundation
Project: Operation Financial Literacy
Operation Financial Literacy is a financial teaching resource and curriculum for secondary school teachers. It is offered free of charge to all secondary schools in Australia, and is the only flexible financial literacy education resource of its kind available.
The program includes eleven modules covering topics such as saving, budgeting, credit, financial planning and mobile phone use. More than 1000 Australian secondary schools have currently signed up to use this innovative teaching resource.
Major Partner: Australian Red Cross
Project: Centre for Young People
Throughout 2008, 2009, and 2010 the Bank will be supporting Red Cross' innovative new Centre for Young People (CFYP). Aimed at addressing youth homelessness, this project will provide intensive, individualised support to at-risk youth to ensure they receive all the support they need to get back onto a positive life track and achieve their personal goals.
Partner: Queensland State Library
Project: Heritage Collections Learning Room
Bank of Queensland is a proud sponsor of the Heritage Collections Learning Room at the new State Library of Queensland, which was officially opened on 25 November 2006. The room allows people to experience tangible artefacts of our cultural heritage, from rare books, manuscripts, journals, photographs, to art and music collections that reflect Queensland’s unique past.
Partner: Girl Guides
Project: Cork Collection
BOQ branches throughout Australia are collection points for the well-established Guides Cork Collection initiative. As well as being an environmentally friendly initiative, the program is a major fundraiser for the Guides, with all money raised subsidising Guides memberships for disadvantaged girls. So make sure you collect any corks and drop them in to your local branch! Find your nearest branch.
Partner: Royal Children's Hospital Foundation
Project: b105 Christmas Appeal
Since 2003, BOQ has been a proud supporter of the annual b105 Christmas Appeal which raises vital funds for the Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane. The b105 breakfast crew (Labby, Camilla and Stav) broadcast the appeal live on 105.3FM for two weeks during December, inviting the residents of Brisbane to make a donation via the BOQ manned hotline or at any BOQ branch.
STAFF INITIATIVES
Dollar-for-Dollar Program
The Dollar-for-Dollar program matches employee fundraising for registered charities - dollar-for-dollar! The focus of this program is on team fundraising, and is one way that we recognise staff involvement in the community. Provided the charity or cause is a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR), staff can choose the charity they wish to support, with our contribution effectively doubling the funds raised.
Managing Director’s Awards for Community Involvement
The Managing Director’s Awards for Community Involvement was launched in 2005 to recognise and reward employees’ individual efforts in the community.
The annual Awards recognise outstanding contributions, such as regular fundraising, volunteering, mentoring, or serving on non-profit committees and boards. Each year a Gold Award winner will receive $20,000 to donate to their supported non-profit organisation, and five Silver Award winners will each receive $5,000 for their nominated charity. The Awards are presented at a gala dinner hosted by Managing Director David Liddy. Read about the 2006 and 2007 winners.
Workplace Giving Program
This program allows our staff to donate to any Australian charity directly from their pre-tax pay. Employees can provide ongoing support to the charity of their choice by donating a nominated amount from their pay each fortnight. These donations are deducted from pre-tax salaries, providing staff with an immediate tax benefit.
SHAREHOLDER INITIATIVES
Investing in Hope
We are proud to be the first company in Australia to offer shareholders the opportunity to donate all or part of their bi-annual dividend to charity. This simple method of donation allows shareholders to support Children’s Hospital Foundations Australia. View the 2008 Investing In Hope (PDF 589kb) brochure.
APPLYING FOR A COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
Our community partnerships support projects that support our nation's youth.
Our focus on partnerships, rather than one-off donations, means we can create meaningful relationships with our partners and commit to a minimum two-year period of support.
BOQ is currently reviewing its community partnerships, and as a result would like to invite community groups to submit an application for partnership.
To apply for a community partnership with BOQ, please complete the application form (Word 600 kb) and email it to sharyn.lowery@boq.com.au by 5pm on Friday, 30 July 2010.