Supporting staff

 

The Macquarie Group Foundation actively supports Macquarie staff pursuing their own community interests and passions. This provides benefits for both staff and community organisations, and encourages individual involvement at a grass roots level. 

Many examples of Macquarie staff volunteering, fundraising and pro bono activity can be found in the Foundation’s quarterly staff newsletters. Some staff hold cake stalls, do fun runs, shave their heads or wear loud shirts for good causes. Some participate in gruelling endurance events while others prefer to work behind the scenes, helping not-for-profit organisations co-ordinate major fundraising events or providing strategic advice. Some raise a few dollars, others raise many thousands. Collectively, it amounts to an outstanding community contribution.

Recognising our staff


Each year we recognise outstanding staff contributions to the community through our Macquarie Staff in the Community Awards. The individual winners each receive $A10,000 to donate to the not-for-profit organisations they support while the office winner receives $A15,000. A Highly Commended award of $A2,000 and a Team Award of $A5,000 are also given. 

The Macquarie Staff in the Community Awards are presented in four categories: Volunteer of the Year, Fundraiser of the Year, Pro Bono Adviser of the Year and Office of the Year. The Team Award is presented in one of the first three categories.

The 2011 Volunteer of the Year was: 

  • Justine Huh (Macquarie Funds Group, Seoul), for being the driving force behind the Macquarie Seoul Community Advisory Committee and coordinating a range of volunteering and fundraising activities across the Seoul office.

The 2011 Fundraiser of the Year was: 

  • David Lush (Banking and Financial Services, Calgary) for co-founding a fundraising tournament which has collectively raised since inception over $CAD2.75 million, as well as his personal fundraising for the Impact Society which helps yong people develop positive behaviour.

The 2011 Pro-Bono Adviser of the Year was: 

  • Lina Tao (Macquarie Funds Group, New York) for using her web and design skills to assist ReserveAid (which assists the families of active duty personnel) and Inwood House (which supports teens in pregnancy prevention and family support) with their online and print marketing materials.

The 2011 Team of the Year was: 

  • The Market Operations and Technology team in New York, for its work with Older Adults Technology Services which trains older people to use technology to improve their social engagement.

The 2011 Office of the Year was: 

  • Manila, for a range of sustainable, committed activities with a number of local not-for-profit organisations, including Hospicio de San Jose, Haribon Foundation and Children’s Hour.

Staff participation support


Many Macquarie staff work for not-for-profit organisations in an executive capacity, serving as board members, providing strategic advice or taking on a management role. In recognition of their service, the Foundation makes $10,000 grants to the community organisations they serve. 

Macquarie board register and executive level support


The Macquarie Group Foundation has developed a board register of senior executives who are prepared to serve on not-for-profit boards. The register enables the Foundation to nominate a range of candidates when it receives requests from community organisations to fill board vacancies. In this way, the Foundation is working to ensure the not-for-profit sector has access to executives with proven management experience. 

The Foundation also seeks to build skill levels within not-for-profit organisations, offering workshops in media management, brand management and human resources. 

Community advisory committees


Community advisory committees also operate in many of Macquarie’s major offices and provide a focus for staff wishing to contribute to the community. These committees enable staff to meet regularly to hear about the Foundation’s latest programs, receive briefings from not-for-profit organisations and coordinate staff involvement in community events. 

Macquarie Giving


Macquarie Giving enables staff to regularly contribute to their preferred charities directly from their monthly pay. Staff currently donate to more than 300 charities through the scheme. Donations made through Macquarie Giving are matched by the Foundation. 

Long service grants


Each year, more than 100 Macquarie staff reach milestones of 10 years or 25 years service with Macquarie. In recognition of their long service, the Foundation donates $1,000 to the community organisation of their choice.