Workplace Giving Program shows that 'UOW Cares'

May 30, 2007

Staff at the University of Wollongong are being given the chance to make a real difference in their community by making regular voluntary donations to charity through their fortnightly pay.

The 'UOW Cares' program will be launched next month (Monday 4 June) and will allow staff to contribute to one or more of their favourite charities to ensure regular, stable and on-going funding for a range of vital community organisations.

"Community collaboration and service is enshrined as one of the University of Wollongong's shared values," said Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton. "I am delighted that our staff are giving life to this value by supporting UOW Cares."

Following an extensive review, eight charities and two UOW causes have been chosen to reflect staff preference for giving.

These include The Smith Family, The Cancer Council, The Fred Hollows Foundation, Autism Spectrum, the Australian Conservation Foundation, Oxfam Australia, Indigo Foundation, RSPCA, UOW Equity Scholarships and UOW Community-related Research. Donating through the workplace will allow UOW staff to:

• Receive a tax deduction without the need to keep receipts for tax purposes
• Receive an immediate tax benefit from their pay
• Make a donation decision without pressure from fundraisers
• Make an important contribution to the community

Staff are able to choose how much they wish to donate, with even the smallest donation making a difference. For example, if just 10% of University staff donate $5 a fortnight from their pay, an extra $23,400 per annum will be raised. If 50% donate that amount, $117,000 will be raised.

Payment is made as a lump sum from the University, reducing processing and administration costs for the community group which means that 100% of the donation goes directly to supporting the cause.

Chief Executive Officer of The Smith Family (a social enterprise focused on children and education), Elaine Henry, will be the special guest speaker at the official launch next month, which will feature an official welcome from the Vice-Chancellor.

General and academic staff are encouraged to attend the launch, which will also involve charity and UOW representatives.

When: Monday 4 June at 12.30pm

Where: University Hall Foyer, Bldg 11

RSVP: To attend the event please e-mail community@uow.edu.au or call Leanne Crouch or Jan Sullivan on 02 4221 3110