A solid Foundation

The Audi Foundation celebrates three years of life-changing operation.

In just three short years, the Audi Foundation has formed invaluable partnerships with leading Australian not-for-profits and helped fund far-reaching initiatives that continue to help those most in need around the country. 

20 May, 2020


From the very start it has been all about making a genuine difference rather than talking about its achievements, and on the third anniversary of the Audi Foundation, that ‘action not words’ approach continues to deliver results for those who most need it.

The Audi Foundation was launched without fanfare in May, 2017, but in the three short years since then, its impact, in collaboration with its not-for-profit partners, has had a profound effect on hundreds of thousands of Australians in need.

Established as a corporate philanthropic foundation by Audi Australia and its national dealer network, the aim of the Audi Foundation was to render assistance to the communities in which the brand operated, by supporting and working with established not-for-profits with a proven track record and expertise in a number of specifically targeted areas.

Up until that point, Audi Australia had a long track record of working with various charities, but the aim of the Audi Foundation was different in that it was designed specifically to provide long-term support. To achieve this, it was designed to build strong partnerships, rather than making one-off donations which were shown not to be as effective in creating significant, long-term change and lasting relationships in keeping with the Audi philosophy.

“That the [Audi] Foundation and its partners have been able to achieve so much in such a short space of time is testament to the dedication and work of all those involved,” says Paul Sansom, Managing Director of Audi Australia.

“The very targeted approach to the different pillar areas is making a genuine, positive difference to people’s lives and the flow on effect of that to the community is immeasurable."

The Audi Foundation and its partners have had a profound effect on hundreds of thousands of Australians in need

The process of identifying the right partners alone was a significant task, with more than 600,000 registered not-for-profit organisations operating in Australia

The model for the Audi Foundation from the start has been to provide long-term financial assistance through a grants system to selected charity organisations that share the brand’s focus and values. 

The process of identifying the right partners alone was a significant task, with more than 600,000 registered not-for-profit organisations operating in Australia, but this was achieved by concentrating on three key areas or pillars agreed by the foundation’s board.

Supporting positive mental health outcomes has seen the growth of partnerships with suicide prevention organisation, RUOK? and leading youth mental health service, ReachOut.

Helping to shape education and career futures, particularly in STEM areas has led to ongoing partnerships with The Smith Family, Country Education Foundation of Australia and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, while the Foundation's desire to fuel progressive approaches to medical technology, treatment and research has seen the establishment of partnerships with The Humpty Dumpty Foundation, the Charlie Teo Foundation and Camp Quality.

From innovative approaches to medical treatment and the supply of technology, to mental health support for people of all ages and furthering the educational opportunities available to young people, the ongoing projects continue to deliver real results.

It is this broad range of operation that is one of the Foundation’s greatest strength, says Hayley Nissim, Audi Foundation Lead.

“As pleasing as the number of people we have been able to reach is the diversity of areas targeted by the [Audi] Foundation. To create meaningful change in different areas requires a tailored approach to each area and the Audi Foundation through its specialist partners has been able to do that very well.”

Raising money through a combination of charitable donations, fundraising events and contributions from Audi Australia and the dealer network, this far-reaching work has had a tangible and measurable effect on people right around the country, directly supporting nearly 800,000 individuals and families and positively impacting the lives of over five million people since the Audi Foundation’s inception*.

To break these figures down, some 60,000 school students were able to participate in Camp Quality’s Primary School Education Program in NSW, which helps to educate young people affected directly or indirectly by cancer.

With the Audi Foundation’s assistance, the Country Education Found of Australia has awarded 10 tertiary scholarships to a total value of $25,000 – an 18 percent increase in the number of scholarships awarded – enabling young people from rural centres to attend university and pursue their dreams and career goals.

Nearly 4000 students have taken part in The Smith Family’s Work Inspiration program, gaining invaluable insight into career paths often in areas they had not even considered, while the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal has provided nearly 5000 vouchers to rural families in need of help.

The Charlie Teo Foundation continues its research into finding a cure for brain cancer, while Professor Teo himself continues his lifesaving work in the field. The Humpty Dumpty Foundation, which helps provide much needed medical equipment for children’s hospitals, made it possible for 5250 families to access essential medical equipment.

The Audi Foundation raises money through a combination of charitable donations, fundraising events and contributions from Audi Australia and the dealer network

That this anniversary falls in the middle of the greatest social upheaval this country has seen is not lost on those at the Audi Foundation or its partners.

In terms of mental health, the Audi Foundation has assisted leading suicide prevention organisation, RU OK? in raising awareness of this national problem, while over 700,000 parents were able to make use of the ReachOut Parent Program which helps them to work with their children in identifying and dealing with mental health issues in young people.

Indeed since the launch of the upgraded ReachOut website in July 2017 – ReachOut.com – 4.3 million young Australians have made use of the information and services it provides on either their mobile or tablet device.

These are impressive results in such a short space of time, but those involved with the Audi Foundation and its partners are purely focused on building on these results and increasing the reach of these programs in the future.

That this anniversary falls in the middle of the greatest social upheaval this country has seen is not lost on those at the Audi Foundation or its partners.

“While we recognise this milestone and commend the efforts of all those involved in the Audi Foundation and its partners, the present situation underscores the need for even greater efforts in the future and the ongoing need to support the most vulnerable and at need in the community,” says Sansom.

“The first three years have shown what can be achieved, and the present COVID-19 situation is a sobering reminder of just how important and ongoing this work is to so many.”

*All figures quoted are to December 2019.