NFP’s Feature in MoneySmart Awards

Partnerships between Not for Profits, Government and businesses involved in financial literacy programs have been recognised at the inaugural MoneySmart Week Awards.

The Brotherhood of St Laurence, with its NFP and corporate partners, has jointly received the inaugural MoneySmart Week Community Award for Saver Plus, its national financial capacity-building program which assists lower-income Australians to build a lasting savings habit by strengthening their financial skills, knowledge and confidence.

The Community Award went to ANZ Banking Group, the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Berry Street, the Benevolent Society, the Smith Family, and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) for the Saver Plus program.

The Awards were presented in Sydney by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer Bernie Ripoll in front of more than 150 leaders from the corporate, Government and Not for Profit sectors.

The MoneySmart Week Awards recognise the organisations and individuals working to advance the financial literacy of Australians across four categories: schools, community, workplaces and research.

“This is a wonderful recognition for the difference this program is making in people’s lives, which we have run in partnership with ANZ for 10 years,” the Brotherhood of St Laurence Executive Director Tony Nicholson said.

“Saver Plus plays an important role in building the financial capabilities of people on lower incomes, which in turn helps break the cycle of disadvantage that can affect low-income communities.

“Saver Plus was developed through an innovative partnership between ANZ and the Brotherhood in 2002. I hope that the success of this partnership demonstrates how well corporate and charitable Australia can come together to tackle social problems.

“Since 2003 the program has reached over 14,000 people and aims to reach an additional 11,000 people by June 2014. Saver Plus participants have saved over $6.5 million as part of the program, which is delivered by 11 community agencies across 61 communities in all states and territories.”

MoneySmart Week is a national initiative of members of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board, led by Paul Clitheroe.

 “Over the past ten years financial literacy has become increasingly important, both nationally and internationally. We all know there is growing choice and complexity in financial products and services. This combined with the ‘have-it-now’ culture of today’s society means it is absolutely vital that we develop a strategic response to help people gain the life skills they need to deal with these pressures and complexities,” Clitheroe said.

Other Award recipients included:

• The Commonwealth Bank Foundation for its StartSmart program in schools
• Pauline Kent of Yarrabah High School for her Milba Djunga program
• 10thousandgirl for its grassroots financial literacy campaign aimed at empowering women
• The Western Australian Department of Education and the Government Employees Superannuation Board for their workplace financial literacy program, Into Your Comfort Zone
• ANZ Banking Group for its ongoing longitudinal research into the financial literacy of Australians through the National Survey of Adult Financial Literacy in Australia

A full list of Award recipients and a summary of their financial literacy programs can be found online here.