Throughout the year, ASX held a range of fundraising activities, bringing together employees from all areas of the business. The activities provide financial support for organisations aligned to the values of our employees, while also raising awareness about issues that impact on their lives. In 2019, we hosted the Biggest Morning Tea and Loud Shirt Day on behalf of the Cancer Council and the Shepherd Centre. These are two organisations that have helped our employees, their friends and families significantly.
ASX also works with a number of charity foundations and not-for-profit organisations that support a range of causes. Details of our contributions and relationships are set out below.
ASX Refinitiv Charity Foundation
The Foundation supports Australian children’s and medical research charities by organising fundraising events for financial markets participants. In FY19, over $900,000 was raised and distributed to 22 charities.
The Foundation has three ASX representatives on its ten person board. ASX volunteers the company secretariat and finance functions for the Foundation and ASX employees volunteer to assist with the fundraising activities.
Bushfire relief
We believe corporate Australia plays a critical role in supporting the significant, nationwide bushfire recovery effort. Rebuilding devastated communities, businesses, wildlife and infrastructure will require a sustained long-term commitment. To support the bushfire relief and recovery effort, ASX made a $500,000 donation to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund. We’re also matching donations made by ASX employees to registered charities, supporting employee fundraising activities with an ASX Giving drive, and increasing paid volunteering leave for all employees. This is in addition to a $20,000 financial donation made to the Salvation Army Disaster Relief Fund and the NSW Rural Fire Service in November 2019.
Our thoughts remain with all of those affected by the bushfires and we’re thankful to the thousands of volunteers working to keep communities safe.