As part of MyState Financial’s commitment to the Tasmanian community and the well being of our young people, we have established the MyState Financial Foundation.

"Our mission is to help in educating and nurturing the young people of Tasmania, and supporting and advancing their interests."

The Foundation gives positive and practical support to Tasmania’s young people and is focused on helping local registered charities involved in a range of education and development activities that, in one way or another, help young Tasmanians to make the most of their lives. This focus will enable a wide range of charities to seek grants for a variety of purposes:

• Improving opportunities for disadvantaged youth
  
• Developing self-reliance in young people
  
• Providing opportunities to further their education
  
• Increasing financial literacy and consumer education
  
• Assisting young people with disabilities; in need of special education; care or support.

MyState Financial provides significant base funding and administrative support to the Foundation and since inception $513,000 has been distributed by MyState Financial Foundation (MSFF) in grants for a wide range of worthwhile and effective programs in all regions of the state to over 80 charitable organisations.

Grant making

The Foundation from time to time will invite applications from charitable organisations that are involved in helping young people in the Tasmanian community to apply for a grant.

The public submission process is usually held in late January and advertised in regional newspapers – The Examiner, The Mercury and The Advocate; in MyState Financial branches; on the MyState Financial website mystate.com.au and member newsletter.

To be eligible for consideration for an MSFF grant, an organisation needs to have ATO endorsement as a:

• Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status

Be involved in helping young people in the Tasmanian community.

Demonstrate that the grant will be used in Tasmania and benefit a group or sector of the community.

Grants in 2008

The amount of funds distributed by the Foundation in grants varies from year to year.

Generally grants range from $1,000 to $5,000 however grants over $5,000 have been granted from time to time.

From modest beginnings in 2001 when $23,743 was distributed to 7 grant recipients to a distribution of grants totaling $76,805 in 2008 to 18 organisations.

View list of MSFF grants awarded in 2008

View list of MSFF grants awarded since 2001

If you have a question regarding the grant process please contact -ffoundation@mystate.com.au.

Education initiatives

Education remains a major priority for the Foundation and the Springboard to Higher Education Program commenced in December 2002 is a continuing joint innovative education project between UTAS and the Tasmanian Secondary Principals Association. The bursaries assist young people from rural and regional areas to move from secondary schooling to tertiary studies.

A $750 bursary, for three consecutive years (totalling $2,250) for Years 11, 12 and 1st year University , is offered to talented, capable and willing young students as they leave Year 10 and who, under current conditions would find access to higher education extremely difficult because of economic circumstances.

To date MSFF has funded $66,000 to this program and has committed a further $250,000 to continue the program.

Partnership initiatives

Staff initiatives

$14,000 has been donated by staff taking part in casual dress days and has been distributed to a variety of charities selected by staff.

Staff initiatives

Board of Trustees

The Foundation has an independent Board of five members.

Two directors of MyState Financial are appointed by the MyState Financial Board to the Foundation Board. Two directors are drawn from the community for their business experience and the Chief Executive of MyState Financial, Chris Brooks, also hold a position as a Director of the Foundation.

The current Board members are:

• Tim Gourlay – Chairman
• Bob Gordon
• Chris Brooks
• Colleen McGann (Managing Director, St Lukes Health Insurance)

How you can support the Foundation

• You can help by making a donation at any MyState Financial Branch
• You can arrange to have a direct debit to the Foundation from your MyState Financial account by phoning MyState Financial on 138 001
• You can arrange with another financial institution to have a regular direct debit to the Foundation by quoting MyState Financial’s BSB 807009 and account number 12195478

We appreciate your support - thank you.
All donations over $2.00 are tax deductible.

MyState Financial Community Foundation Limited ACN 093 918 891
Trustee for MyState Financial Community Foundation Trust ABN 28 947 183 123
Registered Office: Heritage House,172 Collins Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000
Postal Address: GPO Box 1272, Hobart, Tasmania 7001

To find out more, call MyState Financial on 138 001, or visit your nearest branch.