At AXA, we believe we have a responsibility to support the local communities in which we conduct business and where our employees live and work.
AXA’s core business around the world is financial protection and helping people to cope with life’s unforeseen and sometimes unfortunate events. AXA believes that whilst you can’t plan for every eventuality in life, you can plan for living. Therefore, AXA’s community investment activities within New Zealand aims to assist families and children who are experiencing difficulties due to illness or are disadvantaged due to circumstances beyond their control, through sustainable solutions. Strategic relationships have been developed with a number of community partners across New Zealand including:
AXA Hearts in Action
AXA ‘Hearts in Action’ is a global AXA Group community based volunteering programme that forges partnerships with local community organisations and enables employees to actively engage with the community by contributing their time and skills to make a difference. Globally over 15,000 AXA employees each year volunteer their time. In 2008, over 1,600 Australian and New Zealand employees took part in community activities contributing over 5000 hours.
Workplace Giving Programme
As well as our Hearts in Action employee volunteering programme, AXA employees are able to contribute automatically from their fortnightly pay to the programme. Each contribution made is matched dollar for dollar by AXA NZ. 100% of the money raised goes directly to our core charities.
AXA Grant Programme
AXA NZ has also established a Grant Programme to respond to applications for funds from other community organisations to support worthy initiatives which focuses on sick or disadvantaged children, poverty and homelessness.
Application Dates:
- Applications are accepted throughout the year, with Grants assessed and provided on a twice-yearly cycle.
A predetermined amount has been allocated to the Grant Programme on an annual basis and therefore, unfortunately, not all applications can be supported. The decision made is not subject to review and reasons for the decision may or may not be given. Applicants are urged to submit their applications well before the closing date. Details of all grants provided by AXA may be made public. Grant recipients are required to sign a Grant Agreement and agree to a reporting programme in an agreeable format prior to funding being granted.
If you have any questions in relation to the submission of your application, please contact Brenda Callear, the Corporate Social Responsibility Manager on e-mail NZHIA@axa.co.nz.
Application Guidelines:
Applications are invited for submissions for initiatives which focus on the following areas:
- sick children - defined as children between the ages of 0-18, with major health issues and/or life threatening illness
- disadvantaged children - defined as children whose standard of living is lower than that of an ordinary NZ child whose affected by homelessness & poverty
- People affected by homlessness and poverty.
AXA has a focussed approach to deliver more positive, significant and lasting impacts. Applicants unsuccessful in seeking a grant may re-apply again in the future if funding is sought for a different purpose or project. Any community organisation applying for funding must be a registered charity with an income tax exempt status. Applicants are required to provide evidence of tax-exempt status by submitting a copy of the notification letter from the IRD with their application.
Generally AXA will accept applications for funding of amounts ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Applications for funding any greater than this will be considered however must be discussed with Brenda Callear prior to putting in an application.
Assessment Criteria:
In assessing potential projects for funding, the AXA Grant Programme will favour those applications that meet some or all of the following criteria:
The organisation:
- objectives are in line with AXA’s strategy of addressing homelessness, and poverty; or assisting sick or disadvantaged children
- is financially sound - with low fundraising costs, varied income stream, no unexplained cash reserves and cash exceeding debts
- and is a registered charity
The project:
- can demonstrate measures to record and evaluate outcomes
- can demonstrate strategies to ensure future sustainability
- provides opportunities for AXA employees to volunteer
In general, the AXA Grant Programme will be unlikely to support:
- areas considered to be the direct responsibility of government
- general fundraising projects or appeals
- travel or conferences
- intermediate fundraising agencies
- funding deficits
- political activities
- religious bodies for religious purpose
- laboratory based basic research
- private schools or formal education
- retrospective costs
- organisations based outside Australia & New Zealand
Application Procedure:
All applications must meet the criteria and provide all relevant documentation requested below:
Application Requirements
The Grant Application Form will request the following information:
- how the Grant will be used
- key tasks and goals of the project
- a detailed budget of the project including income from other organisations, funds provided by the applicant, government support and total costs including salaries, rent and equipment
- measures to be used to record and evaluate outcomes of the project
- the relevant experience of those managing the project
Documentation required
A copy of the following must be provided:
In some cases applicants may be contacted for further information regarding an application or to request a site visit.
All applications must be sent to NZHIA@axa.co.nz before the closing date.
All supporting documentation must be sent to:
AXA Hearts in Action Grant Programme
Human Resources
Level 6
80 The Terrace
WELLINGTON
If you have any questions in relation to the submission of your application, please contact Brenda Callear, the Corporate Social Responsibility Manager on e-mail NZHIA@axa.co.nz.