Superannuation Advice Australia Pty Ltd is a licensed financial advisory firm, not affiliated to any Super fund or bank. Its goal is to make a meaningful, positive difference in the lives of its 18,300 clients nationwide and believes that everyone deserves support in building a better future.

Operating within the financial and insurance services industry, Superannuation Advice Australia (SAA) observed first-hand the devastating economic and psychological effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic on its clients and local communities. The business decided to formalise its Workplace Giving Program and commit itself to Building Better Futures for its staff, clients, and the community.

Intentionally crafted and carefully maintained, SAA has witnessed the expansive, compounded and collective amplification of its Workplace Giving Program benefits – through fostering partnerships with staff, other businesses, as well as the numerous charities and causes it has, and continues to, support.

SAA’s Workplace Giving Program is making an indelible, positive difference to the lives of many Australians, as well as individuals living in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Energy is an essential ingredient for success and SAA took the decision to hire a dedicated resource to help drive, steer and maintain the momentum of its Workplace Giving Program.

SAA’s dedicated resource and appointed Social Responsibility Manager (SRM) conducted in-depth research and analysis. Various staff surveys, both anonymous (online) as well as face-to-face (through a series of informal, peer-to-peer conversations) were executed, in order to gather important employee views and measure sentiment.

A large portion of SAA staff agreed that regular giving through pre-tax pay was a good idea, but lacked soul – the key ingredient that has always shaped SAA’s business identity. SAA staff wanted to feel more connected to the process of giving.

SAA listened and with these insights, set about designing its very own built-for-purpose Workplace Giving Program. SAA’s SRM made use of One Million Donors’ free resources, as a guide to develop and meet the specific requirements of the business’ bespoke Workplace Giving Program.

Charity begins at home, and many of the back-stories (shared by SAA staff during the initial research period) were used as the very sparks to ignite SAA’s Workplace Giving Program. This provided staff with a strong, personal connection to the program, and overall sense of achievement within the greater context of positive psychology.

Various charities and worthy causes were shortlisted per quarter, and SAA’s Workplace Giving Program support, was prioritised against an agreed criterion. The two most important factors being:

• Does this charity align with SAA’s business strategy, vision, mission and values?
• Can SAA’s Workplace Giving Program deliver a measurable, positive impact, i.e., help this charity to Build Better Futures?

Following this assessment process – a flexible, month-to-month SAA Workplace Giving Program Plan was devised. Internal branding and marketing collateral were developed, and list of charities/causes finalised. Where existing SAA relationships were already in-place, SAA’s SRM would engage with all necessary stakeholders and manage the campaign plan, with deliverables, accordingly. For any specific charity or cause where no prior relationship existed, SAA’s SRM set about establishing a point-of-contact and developing a rapport.

Throughout the execution process, SAA’s Senior Management team wished to retain the tight knit and ‘cosy’ giving spirit, synonymous with SAA. Emphasis was placed on establishing effective communication loops with staff and external charities, with a focus on listening, engaging, planning, implementing, measuring, celebrating and providing detailed feedback. A decision was also taken to create and print all information posters and pledge cards in-house, and not waste money on design fees and materials, which could otherwise be donated directly to the charities who needed it most.

SAA’s Workplace Giving Program has developed hundreds of lasting connections and raised thousands of dollars – all fuelled by the generosity and enormous hearts of its staff.

SAA’s Workplace Giving Program:

• Raises funds and awareness to help drive social impact, from the inside out
• 45 charities and 12 different causes supported
• Over $220,000 raised
• Collaborates and shares CSR knowledge with other businesses – to leverage and increase impact
• Boosts employee morale and engagement: SAA staff are happy, motivated, productive and committed
• Strengthens camaraderie and teamwork amongst employees
• Attracts talent: SAA’s Workplace Giving Program assists to attract and retain quality talent
• Increases customer trust in the company
• Through increased reputation quotient, helps grow the business

The success of SAA’s Workplace Giving Program is a combination of sustained:

• Energy, focus, passion, collaboration, structure and fluidity
• Listening; the importance placed on communication, community, connection and momentum is key.

‘Each day we make a difference. Sometimes we are the difference for one, other days for many.  Whatever the number, it matters.’

For more information about SAA’s Workplace Giving Program, visit superadviceaustralia.com.au/community-fund