Hall & Wilcox launches Community Fund to deliver philanthropic support

Hall & Wilcox has launched the Hall & Wilcox Community Fund, which will deliver philanthropic support to our community. The overall program will complement the firm’s existing pro bono practice and community work.

The Fund’s goal is to improve human rights outcomes in the areas of housing, employment, and education. The Fund will achieve this goal by providing funds for matching workplace giving donations, allocating a donation budget to local Community Committees to support localised campaigns, and providing substantial grants to three main charity partners each financial year.

The charity partners for FY24, who will each receive a $20,000 grant, are Aurora Education Foundation, Fitted for Work and StreetSmart.

Head of Pro Bono & Community Nathan Kennedy said the Fund would build a legacy for the firm.

‘Access to housing, education and employment are key to ensuring equality of opportunity for everyone,’ he said.

‘The Fund will allow us to make a significant contribution to our charity partners who work in these areas both financially and in other ways. It is another way the firm helps to enable our communities to thrive.’

Aurora Education Foundation CEO Leila Smith said Aurora warmly welcomed the firm into its family of partners and supporters. The firm’s donation will support Aurora’s international study tour, which allows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to visit some of the world’s best universities.

‘Aurora is proud to support an ever-growing cohort of Indigenous scholars and students with aspirations of practicing law, and help ensure a diversity of identities, lived experiences and cultures are represented across the sector. We thank Hall & Wilcox for its support, and for joining with us to ensure Indigenous students have opportunities to learn from, study with, and work alongside world-renowned experts in their fields,’ she said.

Fitted for Work helps women in Australia to become work ready, through services such as reviewing CVs, preparing for interviews, providing work capsule wardrobes and running programs such as mentoring and LinkedIn training.

‘We are thrilled to be a recipient of this grant, which will support women across Australia to become work ready and gain secure employment,’ said National Client Services Manager Louise Villanti.

StreetSmart Partnerships Manager Cynthia Mac Caddon said Hall & Wilcox’s donation will help support up to 25 households through StreetSmart’s ‘Making-a-Home’ initiative, which helps people by giving them essentials such as furniture, white goods or kitchenware.

‘What does home mean to you? For many of us it means safety and a secure place where we can relax when we come home from work, but unfortunately for many people that is not a reality,’ she said. ‘Making-a-Home helps vulnerable Australians who are facing rental stress, eating less meals or can’t afford the basics to make somewhere feel like home.’

Learn more about the Hall & Wilcox Community Fund