How Workplace Giving and Fundraising Can Support Young People in Crisis

Businesses can play an important role in creating better opportunities for young people facing drug and alcohol challenges. Through workplace giving, fundraising and long-term corporate charity partnerships, organisations can turn shared values into practical support for youth-specific treatment and recovery programs.

By partnering with Sir David Martin Foundation, businesses can help strengthen best-practice models of care while giving employees meaningful ways to contribute to a cause that delivers lasting community impact.

Corporate charity partnerships enable businesses to support important community causes through workplace giving, fundraising and employee engagement initiatives. By partnering with organisations such as Sir David Martin Foundation, businesses can help fund youth rehabilitation programs, support young people experiencing drug and alcohol challenges and create meaningful social impact while engaging their workforce.

There is no single model that suits every workplace. Some organisations introduce payroll giving, while others hold fundraising events, match employee donations or build a longer-term partnership. The most effective approach is realistic, clearly communicated and aligned with the values of both partners.

Corporate charity partnerships are relationships between businesses and charitable organisations working towards shared social impact goals. They may include donations, workplace fundraising, employee giving, matched contributions, sponsorship or other agreed support.

For Sir David Martin Foundation, these partnerships help advance its commitment to providing safety, hope and opportunity for vulnerable young people. Through corporate partnerships, businesses can help support young Australians experiencing drug and alcohol addiction through youth-specific treatment and recovery programs.

The Sir David Martin Foundation corporate partnerships program provides a starting point for organisations considering workplace giving, fundraising or longer-term involvement.

A workplace giving program allows employees to make regular donations directly from their pre-tax salary. This means employees can receive the tax benefit immediately, rather than waiting until the end of the financial year.

It is also one of the simplest and most efficient ways for a business to begin a Corporate Social Responsibility program. Employees can nominate an amount that suits them, while their combined contributions provide ongoing support for the chosen cause.

Participation should remain voluntary and transparent. Employees should understand how the process works, where their donations are going and how they can change or stop their contribution.

Corporate support can be adapted to suit the size, capacity and culture of the organisation.

• Payroll giving: Employees contribute a regular amount from their pre-tax salary.
• Matched giving: The business matches eligible employee donations up to an agreed limit.
• Corporate donations: The organisation makes a one-off or recurring contribution.
• Office fundraising: Employees organise a shared activity to raise funds and awareness.
• Fundraising pages: Teams create a dedicated page to collect donations and track their progress.
• Professional or in-kind support: Businesses may contribute relevant expertise, services or resources where these meet an identified need and are agreed with Sir David Martin Foundation.

Looking for a meaningful way to give back? Explore how your workplace can support Sir David Martin Foundation through workplace giving, fundraising or a corporate charity partnership.

A workplace fundraiser does not need to be elaborate. Activities often work best when they are easy to organise, inclusive and suited to the team.

Practical ideas include:

• Charity morning tea: Invite employees to bring food and make a voluntary donation.
• Casual dress day: Ask participating staff to contribute a small amount.
• Workplace BBQ or lunch: Collect donations or sell tickets for a shared meal.
• Friday social: Turn a regular team gathering into a fundraising opportunity.
• Step or fitness challenge: Collect sponsorship while working towards a shared goal.
• Workplace auction: Invite employees or local businesses to donate suitable items or experiences.
• Social club raffle: Hold a raffle where permitted and in line with relevant legal requirements.
• EOFY campaign: Encourage donations during a set period, with matched giving where possible.
• Payroll giving campaign: Explain regular giving internally and invite voluntary participation.

Fundraising can also extend beyond the office. Employees may celebrate a birthday or anniversary by requesting donations, raise money in memory of a loved one, take on a physical challenge, give up a favourite treat for a month or create their own activity.

Workplaces can start their own fundraiser to make donations easier to collect and track.

Sir David Martin Foundation also has fundraising tips and resources available to help make activities enjoyable, manageable and successful. Its fundraising team can help supporters choose an idea, establish a goal and plan the activity.

Sir David Martin Foundation is the major philanthropic funder of Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm, a youth-specific addiction treatment centre for young Australians aged 16 to 24.

Triple Care Farm provides connected support across withdrawal, residential rehabilitation and aftercare. Young people may receive clinical and psychosocial treatment, counselling, education, vocational training, living-skills support, sport and recreation, followed by assistance as they return to the community.

Corporate donations, workplace giving, and fundraising contribute to the broader funding that helps make this model possible. They should not be understood as funding one guaranteed service or outcome. Instead, they contribute to sustainable support across treatment, recovery and aftercare.

One-off fundraising is valuable, but a longer partnership creates continuity. Regular support helps charities plan more confidently and gives employees different ways to participate.

A business might combine payroll giving with an annual event, matched donations or internal awareness activities. Over time, employees can better understand the cause and remain connected to the purpose behind the partnership.

This creates a more authentic approach to Corporate Social Responsibility. The focus is not simply on holding an event, but on building a practical relationship with an organisation whose work aligns with the company’s values.

Since 1990, Sir David Martin Foundation has supported vulnerable young Australians affected by drug and alcohol addiction. As the major philanthropic funder of Triple Care Farm, it helps enable youth-specific treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare that provide safety, hope and opportunity.

This approach recognises that young people have different developmental needs, circumstances and recovery goals from adults, which is why youth-specific addiction treatment matters in recovery.

Businesses of all sizes can contribute. A smaller organisation may begin with an office fundraiser or workplace giving program, while a larger business may choose matched donations, a multi-year partnership or a broader employee engagement initiative.

A simple corporate giving plan can begin with six steps:

1. Choose a charity partner aligned with your organisation’s values.
2. Select an approach such as workplace giving, fundraising or a longer-term partnership.
3. Set a realistic goal for donations, fundraising or employee participation.
4. Explain the opportunity clearly and keep participation voluntary.
5. Use the charity’s resources to support and promote the activity.
6. Review the partnership and identify ways to develop it over time.

What are corporate charity partnerships?

Corporate charity partnerships are structured relationships in which businesses support charitable organisations through donations, fundraising, employee engagement, sponsorship or other agreed activities.

How does workplace giving work?

Employees nominate a regular donation that is processed from their pre-tax salary. They receive the associated tax benefit immediately through payroll rather than waiting until the end of the financial year.

Can small businesses participate?

Yes. A small business can begin with a morning tea, office fundraiser, one-off donation or workplace giving program suited to the size of its team.

What types of workplace fundraising are most effective?

Activities that are simple, inclusive and easy to promote usually work best. These may include morning teas, casual dress days, BBQ lunches, fitness challenges, Friday socials, auctions or raffles where permitted.

Can employees fundraise outside the workplace?

Yes. Employees can celebrate a special occasion, take on a physical challenge, fundraise in memory of someone, give something up for a month or develop their own fundraising activity.

How can our business partner with Sir David Martin Foundation?

Businesses can explore workplace giving, fundraising and longer-term partnership opportunities through the corporate partnerships page.

Every workplace has the potential to make a meaningful difference. Whether through payroll giving, an office fundraiser, a physical challenge or a long-term corporate charity partnership, your organisation can help support best-practice treatment for young people in crisis.

To discuss how your business can get involved, contact Philanthropy Manager Jenny Leahy at j.leahy@martinfoundation.org.au or call (02) 9538 0916.