CSR ideas for Australian businesses: Practical examples that work

There are many opportunities for businesses in Australia to put their corporate social responsibility (CSR) into practice. And it doesn't need to be complicated.  

Many CSR programs in Australia combine one or more of the opportunities presented right here with The Fred Hollows Foundation:  

1. Corporate giving 
2. Workplace giving 
3. Employee volunteering 
4. Matched giving.  

Each of the above CSR ideas offer differing levels and types of involvement and engagement, so there is a great opportunity for every size business. 

To explore setting up a partnership with The Foundation, contact our team here at The Fred Hollows Foundation. 

What are the best corporate social responsibility examples for Australian businesses? 

The best CSR ideas provide businesses with an opportunity to create genuine, lasting social, environmental and ethical impact. To find out why that matters, read our article online. 

Four CSR models for Australian businesses to consider are: 

1. Corporate giving in the form of direct financial or in-kind contributions from the business  
2. Workplace giving through regular payroll donations made by employees. 
3. Employee volunteering as an individual or as a team. 
4. Matched giving involves the business matching, and effectively doubling, what employees or supporters donate. 

CSR Idea #1 - Corporate giving 

Corporate giving is the most direct corporate social responsibility example. 

This model involves the business donating funds, products, or services directly to a cause such as The Fred Hollows Foundation. 

The way in which you structure this giving can be tailored to suit your needs or preferences. 

• Cause-linked giving through donating a percentage of sales from a specific product line. This can be advertised to your customers as an incentive. 

• One-off or annual grants involving a fixed financial commitment. This model can also be tied to a particular program or project 

• In-kind support through the provision of pro bono professional experience and services, or even equipment and similar needed products/items. 

• Long-term partnerships providing sustained funding and support over a number of years and tied to measurable outcomes rather than a single project or campaign 

Learn more about corporate giving partnerships with The Foundation. 

CSR Idea #2 - Workplace giving 

Workplace giving gives employees the opportunity to donate directly through payroll. Employers can choose to reduce PAYG withholding as donations are made, and employees claim their total workplace giving donations in their tax return. Once set up it is easy to run and highly effective. 

• Small, regular donations are deducted automatically in each pay cycle 

• Some workplaces combine payroll giving with other CSR ideas such as matched giving or even bundled with volunteering days or fundraising events 

• The low level of admin overhead allows for minimal ongoing management 

Find out how to set up a workplace giving arrangement in your business. 

CSR Idea #3 - Volunteering 

Volunteering is one of the most well-known corporate social responsibility examples. It is popular because it provides employees a hands-on way to contribute and get involved. It also allows smaller businesses with tighter budgets to contribute in their own way. 

• Skilled volunteering allows staff to contribute through the provision of professional expertise, when a suitable opportunity is available 

• Event-day volunteering allows for much needed support on specific campaigns or projects 

• Office-based volunteering provides critical administrative or operational support  

• Team volunteering can be a way to give as well as a team-building exercise, so talk to our team about what is possible 

Explore volunteering opportunities with The Fred Hollows Foundation today. 

CSR Idea #4 - Matched giving 

Matched giving is business or organisation-led and involves a time-bound commitment during which the company matches their employees’ donations dollar-for-dollar. Often there is an agreed total. 

• Matched giving can be time-bound or event/project/campaign bound. 

• Some matched giving programs focus on matching first-time donations to help encourage more people to give 

• Time bound programs involve capped funds meaning the business will contribute dollar-for-dollar until a target amount is reached (or the deadline comes first) 

• Matched giving can be highly impactful, visible and motivating, and can increase employee engagement and contribution 

Set up your matched giving program! 

Corporate Social Responsibility FAQs 

Are there businesses already partnering with The Foundation in Australia? 

Yes, there are! 

Specsavers, an optical retailer, has been a partner with The Foundation since 2011. Its stores donate a portion of their glasses sales to support our work to close the gap in eye health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. 

Similarly, Blackwoods (Australia’s leading industrial safety product and service provider) has raised more than $3.5 million for our Indigenous Australia Program through the donation of 10% of profits from their PROSAFE eyewear, face shields and related accessories since our partnership began in 2010.  

You can find a list of our current partners online. 

What's the easiest CSR idea for a small business to start with?  

Workplace giving can be the lowest-effort option. The reason being is that it can run through your existing payroll system. Check that your payroll software can calculate the deductions before you start. 

Can a business bundle more than one of the corporate social responsibility examples? 

Yes, of course! Your business can combine the various CSR ideas and create a blended or bundled approach to your workplace giving. 

Does matched giving cost more than regular corporate giving?  

It can but it doesn’t have to. Matched giving programs can be capped at a total amount and/or run over a limited period. This allows businesses to set the cost upfront and not allow it to be open-ended or become impractical. 

Can employees support The Foundation directly?  

Absolutely. Individuals can always contribute to our mission to end avoidable blindness across the world through direct or monthly support. Of every dollar generously sent to The Foundation, 75 cents of it will go directly to eye health programs and advocacy. You can provide your support directly here. 

Inspired by our CSR ideas? Get in touch with us today! 

The Fred Hollows Foundation is dedicated to eliminating avoidable blindness across the world. How do we do this? By providing treatment for preventable eye diseases such as cataracts, trachoma and diabetic retinopathy.  

Plus, we provide training and affordable equipment to help the local healthcare providers of the communities we work in to ensure long-term, sustainable improvements. 

If you would like to help us achieve our mission, every dollar counts and  

• 75% goes directly towards the work we do. 

• 6% is necessary for administrative costs 

• 19% goes towards further fundraising efforts 

So, if you’d like to discuss any of the above corporate social responsibility examples in more detail, give our team a call!