Case study | Multiply CSR investment

Why The Kids’ Cancer Project launched a corporate partner matching appeal 

“The Kids’ Cancer Project works in collaboration with the Federal Government and other funding partners to make the greatest impact on childhood cancer.

Amid the unfolding global pandemic in 2020, The Kids’ Cancer Project wanted to communicate this message to give existing partners assurance that their Corporate Social Responsibility budgets were in safe hands.

By tying this message to a matched giving appeal, we gave our corporate partners the opportunity to engage staff and stakeholders in a meaningful way. In addition, it gave the broader community an incentive to give and together we were able to ensure the momentum of scientific research to help kids with cancer wasn’t interrupted.”

– Owen Finegan, CEO, The Kids’ Cancer Project

How corporate partners invested their CSR budget

Australian businesses such as QBE Foundation, RAMS, Lorraine Lea, Bromic Group, Bayer, Colin Biggers & Paisley, Stylecraft and Apricity continued their support of The Kids’ Cancer Project, by committing funds as part of the charity’s most ambitious fundraising initiative to date - to raise $1.7 million through a matched giving appeal that would take place from 1 September (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month) – 31 October 2020.

Read more: Australian businesses multiply their impact

With 950 Australian children diagnosed with cancer each year and three passing-away every week, funding scientific projects in the fastest way to a cure.

Companies interested in making smart and meaningful returns on their corporate social responsibility dollar need look no further than The Kids’ Cancer Project a charity that, through collaboration with the Federal Government, can ensure their impact is multiplied up to four times.

How corporate partners engaged their communities

Each partner engaged their communities in a way that was most meaningful to them and in line with their individual Corporate Social Responsibility strategies.

For instance, Lorraine Lea, a family-owned home-styling business, not only held their usual annual fundraising appeal where their stylists are encouraged to donate profits from all parties held in July, but they also encouraged customers to donate $1 to The Kids’ Cancer Project with all purchases before 31 October.

Bromic Group chose to use the opportunity to maintain community spirit among staff, suppliers and customers and so created a themed Go Kart Derby.

Read more: Case study | Bromic Go Kart Derby

Results of campaign

Some returns have a much bigger impact than just the bottom line. Not only will funds raised make a significant and positive impact on the lives of children diagnosed with cancer, but companies and organisations were able to contribute to positive morale through “for purpose” activations during unprecedented disruptions.

In just 61 days, more than $1.8 million was raised, well surpassing the original target and providing childhood cancer research a windfall. Funds will be invested in innovation grants to top researchers around Australia in partnership with the Federal Government.

Learn more: Driving donations further through collaboration

“We are thrilled that Australian businesses continue to have an impact on scientific discoveries for children with cancer by partnering with us and we invite more to do so,” says Owen Finegan, CEO of The Kids’ Cancer Project.

“The Kids’ Cancer Project offers organisations of all sizes the opportunity to multiply their impact and we are so energised by our community’s response that we will be repeating this campaign again in 2021,” he says.