Arnott's Brands Its Philanthropy

The iconic multinational biscuit company, Arnott’s, has launched a Foundation to help Aussie families in need and to also brand its philanthropic efforts.

Arnott’s has established the Foundation, with a mission to create positive environments that allow families to build, maintain and enjoy a better quality of life.

Corporate Communications Manager, Toni Callaghan says in the past Arnott’s did a whole lot of fantastic work in the community but it didn’t have one platform to bring it all together.

Callaghan says assigning a brand to its philanthropic work that ran in the millions of dollars last year alone, is a win-win situation for the consumer and the company by raising its profile.

Callaghan says while Arnott’s is owned by the Campbells Soup Company based in the US, the idea for the Foundation was certainly generated in Australia and has been something the organisation has wanted to do for some time.

She says the company is celebrating 139 years of biscuit making in Australia and this is a way of giving back to the community that has supported the company in a more formalised way.

She says however, that realistically it has taken about 8-12 months to set up the Foundation; a process that provided a steep learning curve in the application for authority in every State and Territory where the requirements are different.

The Arnott’s Foundation launch also established Camp Quality as its inaugural beneficiary.

Callaghan says it was important to have a national beneficiary and Camp Quality’s family camp programs are a great fit with the Foundation’s mission.

Arnott’s has confirmed it will continue its long-standing relationship supporting Fairy Sparkle, Driver Reviver and Foodbank under the banner of the Foundation.

Last year alone, the Company donated more than 1.2 million portion packs of biscuits to Driver Reviver, and more than 104,000 kilograms of biscuits and snacks to Foodbank.

Callaghan says the Foundation has secured media personality Eddie McGuire to take on the role of Chairman of The Arnott’s Foundation.

She says McGuire always gives %110 to whatever he does and he jumped at the chance to be the chairman.

Joining Eddie McGuire on the Board of the Arnott’s Foundation is the President Arnott’s Asia Pacific division Walter Bugno; Vice President of Human Resources for Arnott’s Asia Pacific, Lorraine Murphy; and Chairman and Managing Director of The Stenmark Organisation, Damien Stenmark.

The Foundation is:
– A non-profit charitable organisation
– Exempt from income tax. All donations of $2.00 or more are fully tax deductible

It comprises a Board of Trustees to make policy and funding decisions; and a Grants and Marketing Unit to manage marketing and fund-raising initiatives

The Arnott’s Foundation is administered by an independent third party (The Stenmark Organisation)

Arnott’s was established in 1865, when William Arnott opened his first bakery in Hunter Street, Newcastle, New South Wales. By 1929, it employed 1800 people, made 150 types of biscuit and had an annual output of 10,000 tonnes.
Today, the Company employees more than 4,500 at its seven bakeries around the country, and spends more than $360 million each year purchasing ingredients, packaging and other services.

Arnott’s holds an approximate 56% share of Australia’s biscuit category and an approximate 40% share of its salty snack category

Further information about The Arnott’s Foundation, including how to apply for a grant or make a donation, can be found at www.arnottsfoundation.org.au.