Our Philanthropy

Philanthropy or the act of contribution is a core value at Cooper Investors

We are passionate about investing in both Australian & Global markets. Our Philanthropy Fund is also passionately focused on supporting better outcomes both at home and in our global community. We believe the best investment any of us can make is in the lives of others.

In line with the CI Way, the Philanthropy Program is built around the ethos that if you are humble, authentic, work hard, work smart and do the right thing, good things will happen.

Established in 2008, since inception the CI Philanthropy Program -

  • Has overseen, the distribution of nearly $6 million to over 100 worthy charities and a number of research projects.

  • Is part of a collective that has directed more than $90m over the past five years to the charitable sector supporting kids doing it tough and enabling vital medical research, by providing pro bono investment services.

  • Provides $400,000 per-annum in support of Mental Health, Social Enterprise and International Aid charities through a grants program.

  • Has hosted over 150 thought leadership presentations from the inspirational founders and leaders of community organisations and charities that are on the ground working to deeply understand the issues faced by the most vulnerable in society.


 Read more in the Cooper Investors Philanthropy Annual Report 2022

Organisations we support

Collection

History

The Board of Cooper Investors established the Cooper Investors Philanthropy Fund ("the Philanthropy Fund") in 2008. In 2018 we celebrate '10 years of Giving'. To commemorate this event, we have conducted an extensive review of the impact of our work and spent some time reflecting on what our partner Organisations have achieved and how we can improve our support.

We are very proud to have distributed over $6 million AUD for communities around the world.

Support inspiring community leaders & empower the implementation of practical initiatives to reduce the symptoms of poverty and disadvantage.

International Focus
  1. Improve access to quality, relevant and supportive education & health initiatives that provide people with the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Domestic Focus
  1. Build capacity within Organisations to tackle entrenched poverty & extreme disadvantage.

A Committee of employees administers the Philanthropy Fund. We adopt a "portfolio" approach to grant making, seeking value, good operating trends and outstanding leadership (in line with our approach to picking stocks).

Initial grants are generally around $5,000 increasing as we get to know the organisation and the problem they are trying to solve. Subsequent grants of up to $30,000 have been made to "high conviction" projects.

Committee members have visited projects and potential projects in and around Melbourne, indigenous communities in Australia and projects in Kenya, Cambodia, Vietnam, Madagascar, Thailand, Tanzania, Nepal and Burma.

We have had the privilege of listening to over 150 presentations in our boardroom from the inspirational Founders of the projects we support.

Australia: International:
Africa Vietnam Nepal & Thailand
  • Onni House, Nepal (access to education for orphanage children)
  • Seven Women, Nepal (access to education for children & assistance helping disabled women access employment)
  • Adara Group, Nepal (access to healthcare by support the travelling Tibetan Medicine Practitioner in Western Nepal)
  • Sob Moei School, Thailand (access to education for remote hill tribe students)
Cambodia

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