New Foundation Links Schools and Business

The Victorian Brumby Government has provided $1 million to establish a new foundation that makes it easier for businesses to support public education projects.

Education Minister Bronwyn Pike has launched the Business Working with Education Foundation with its inaugural chairman, KPMG chairman Michael Andrew, and says the foundation will encourage businesses to get involved with school communities.

Pike says that in the past, donating to Government schools and supporting building projects was difficult for businesses because of the taxation complexities. 

She says the business community said it needed a simpler, more coordinated system that would allow it to support our schools and fund extra-curricular programs that focus on key areas such as leadership, mentoring, scholarships and transition.

The Business Working with Education Foundation is a registered charitable company and will facilitate donations and build positive partnerships between businesses and schools – which provide more philanthropic support for public education in Victoria.

The Minister says that there are strict guidelines governing the types of business our schools can develop partnerships with – and companies take this social responsibility very seriously.

Pike says to maximise the benefits of school-business partnerships the Brumby Labor Government had developed a Statement of Priorities for Partnerships between Business and Victorian Government Schools.

National tax laws make it difficult for philanthropists to donate to government schools, while independent schools are able to generate tax-deductible donations because they are classified as charitable organisations.