Ensuring the sustainability of support to those most in need key to successful sector collaboration

The advantages to the corporate sector in partnering with not for profits go well beyond the ‘feel-good factor. By co-delivering services and acting as collaborators, the alignment allows corporates to fulfil their ESG obligations and along the way, become collaborators in improving communities around the State.

Several leading NFPs share their thoughts on the benefits to both sides of partnerships and how working alongside the sector offers the chance for corporates to elevate their ESG obligations and make a measurable impact as a result of their investment.

Changing lives with donations large and small

For St Bart's, a NFP focused on delivering services to Western Australians experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, trauma and hardship, collaborative partnerships with the corporate sector deliver at least one and potentially several of the following outcomes: Service delivery, Funding/Resourcing, Profile raising, and Engagement, with measurable ESG impacts for the partnering corporate.

A St Bart’s Program Partner points to a material contribution that goes towards a specific service within the organisation, such as the Reconnecting Lives Program, Women’s Service, Volunteer Program or Café Lime, the latter of which provides St Bart’s consumers the opportunity to socialise over a warm breakfast twice-weekly.

“We are privileged to be able to list BHP, Stan Perron Charitable Foundation and Vermilion as some of our valuable Program Partners for these services,” said Neil Starkie, St Bart's General Manager Strategic Partnerships and Growth.

A St Bart's Development Partner provides cash donations with no specific attribution. An Operational Partner can provide in-kind or pro-bono support of goods or services, such as cleaning, repairs and maintenance, facilities management, ambulance cover, legal services or accountancy.

Meanwhile, a Pathways Partner provides employment pathways for consumers in St Bart’s services, personal development, life skills and growth opportunities, and education and training development.

“St Bart’s Partnership Framework provides a clear and flexible approach to managing corporate partnerships throughout the entire partnership lifecycle,” said Mr Starkie.

“The approach puts a formal structure around partnership activity to ensure that each partner is selected to provide clear guidance on how to formalise and strengthen the partnership, build rigor into its practices, and create a consistent approach.

“Communication is key to St Bart’s building networks, strengthening relationships and building trust with its corporate partners to enable us to better understand what they want, when they want it, how engaged they are, how our plans and actions will affect their goals, and how interactions can be tailored to best achieve St Bart’s strategic ambitions,” Mr Starkie said.

Whole system approach required

Many NFPs believe there’s little value in putting out fires in a micro fashion. A concerted and co-ordinated approach from multiple agencies and organisations is the only way deep-rooted inequalities will be conquered, long-term.

Foodbank WA’s Kate O’ Hara is urging all levels of Government, corporates, communities and the charity sector to come together to solve issues like food insecurity.

“Corporate partnerships can offer more flexibility to deliver support across specific communities or projects that we want to pilot and collaborate with,” she said.

“They can offer a greater opportunity for collaboration and promotion which highlights not only what the need for food relief is, but also paints a realistic understanding of the issue in the State - when many are still unaware.

“Ultimately it helps us break down the dignity barrier because every day, people become reliant on our service, and corporate support offers those people essential help in that time of need.”

Leveraging local knowledge

It’s also important to note that corporates also have insights into the communities in which they operate and charities need to listen to those insights and apply them to improve the ability to ensure effective impact.

Bankwest recently announced a new partnership with Anglicare WA, bringing together two iconic Western Australian organisations with a shared focus on supporting the more vulnerable members of society.

The partnership reflects Bankwest’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Western Australian community – of which it has in-depth knowledge from Broome to Albany - with a particular focus on helping those at risk of domestic and financial abuse.

“Bankwest has been a part of the fabric of Western Australia for more than 125 years, and we’re committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, especially in our home state,” said Bankwest EGM, Jason Chan.

“Bankwest is passionate about helping people experiencing challenging circumstances, particularly those at risk of domestic and financial abuse, and we’re proud to partner with Anglicare WA to achieve that shared goal.”

The partnership involves Bankwest becoming a major volunteering partner and a key supporter of Anglicare WA’s Thread Together program, enabling the charity to broaden the service’s reach.

left to right- Anglicare WA CEO Mark Glasson and Bankwest EGM Jason Chan.

Anglicare WA’s Thread Together seeks to restore hope and dignity to people experiencing vulnerability, with a mobile van and stylist providing clients with brand new fashion clothing and saving them from becoming landfill.

Thread Together clients include households experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the rising cost-of-living, mental or serious illness, homelessness, poverty, and parents and children escaping family and domestic violence.

Thread Together was founded in 2012 but was only introduced to Western Australia in 2021 by Anglicare WA, with the first year of operation providing more than 8,000 clothes items to 1,600 people at no cost to those in need.

The Bankwest-Anglicare WA partnership will also provide Bankwest colleagues the opportunity to volunteer with the not-for-profit during work hours, sorting the donated clothes and stocking the Thread Together mobile van.

 “In just over three years, we have seen demand for our services increase by 160%, as Western Australians have struggled to keep up with rising cost-of-living pressures,” said Anglicare WA CEO Mark Glasson.

“We know more people than ever before are going without new clothes, prescription medicines, and other essential items, as they have no income left after paying for accommodation, bills and food.

“An increasing number of women and children have also needed the support of services like Thread Together to start over after escaping family and domestic violence which increased during COVID-19.

“Anglicare WA is incredibly grateful to the support of Bankwest for helping keep Thread Together on the road, and reducing its running costs through its staff volunteer program,” said Mr Glasson.