The Macquarie Group Foundation

Part of the Macquarie Group philosophy is that, as a company is a member of the society in which it operates, it follows that one of its responsibilities is to work for the betterment of that society. This thought drove Macquarie’s early community support programmes, which were formalised in 1984 when the Macquarie Group Foundation was established.

The Macquarie Group Foundation is now a leading corporate benefactor, contributing £9 million to more than 900 community organisations globally in the year to 31 March 2009. In addition, Macquarie staff raised £4 million for community organisations.

The Macquarie Group Foundation focuses its resources in five core areas: education, the arts, health, welfare and the environment. We look for opportunities that are innovative, genuinely responsive to the community’s needs and that enable us to utilise Macquarie’s unique approach in a manner that will make a difference.

In Europe, the Macquarie Group Foundation seeks to support community programmes that provide an opportunity for staff involvement. The Foundation’s European Community Advisory Committee assesses opportunities and works to build partnerships with community organisations with which our staff are actively involved.

The Prince's Trust

In the UK, the Macquarie Group Foundation has established a partnership with The Prince’s Trust Business Programme to provide support for young business entrepreneurs to overcome barriers and realise their potential. This is achieved through practical support including training, mentoring and financial assistance for 14 to 30-year-olds. Efforts focus on those who have struggled at school, been in care, been in trouble with the law or who are long-term unemployed.

“The Prince’s Trust does invaluable work in helping young people to pursue their ambitions and aspirations. Without the financial support of the Trust, these young people would have few opportunities to make something of their lives.” Sir David Garrard, a member of The Prince’s Trust Development Board. Macquarie staff are involved in the Trust's work acting as business mentors for young people.

For more information on The Prince's Trust, click here

East London Business Alliance - Hackney Schools' Mentoring and the Real Apprentice Scheme

The Macquarie Group Foundation is a member of the East London Business Alliance which acts as a channel for business skills and experience to contribute to the social regeneration of East London. As part of this association, Macquarie is actively involved with the Hackney Schools' Mentoring programme providing Macquarie staff mentors. The programme links 14 and 15-year-old Year 10 school students in Hackney with working adults. The main objectives are to increase the students’ self-confidence, give them experience of the working world, improve their academic performance and raise their aspirations.

“I have always felt privileged in being given, through family and education, the opportunity and the tools to pursue my goals. I see mentoring as a great way to help young people to get a better start.” Macquarie Executive Director Arthur Rakowski, member of the Hackney Schools Mentoring programme. 

The East London Business Alliance also runs the Real Apprentice Scheme, with support from the Macquarie Group Foundation. The scheme provides employability training for young people from East London with participants progressing to an eight-week work placement with a range of employers including Macquarie and its portfolio companies. It is an exciting opportunity for young people from Hackney to kick-start their careers. More than 100 Macquarie staff have helped with the programme since 2007, sharing their expertise in interactive sessions on various skills from mock interviews to resume workshops.

For more information about the East London Business Alliance, click here
For more information about the Hackney Schools Mentoring programme, click here

The London Children’s Film Festival

The Macquarie Group Foundation enjoys a relationship with London’s Barbican Centre as a Festival Partner of the London Children’s Film Festival. Now in its fourth year, the Festival is a key player on the international festival stage and offers cinema from all over the globe and in many languages. One of the most important features about showcasing the best of world cinema is the opportunity for children in London to glimpse the lives of their peers in other countries. The experience of watching these films is education in itself and learning opportunities inspiring creativity and critical thinking are central to the festival. This is achieved through numerous workshops in schools, in communities and for families and young people.

For more information about the Barbican, click here
For more information about the London Children's Film Festival, click here

The London Transport Museum

The Macquarie Group Foundation supports the London Transport Museum as a Museum Partner. The Museum attracts over 255,000 visitors each year and its education department works with over 100,000 participants annually at the Museum, in schools and on the transport network. Re-opened in autumn 2007 after a major refurbishment project, the new Museum, among other improvements, provides expanded and improved dedicated learning areas enabling people from a wide range of communities to use the Museum as an educational resource.

For more information about The London Transport Museum, click here

Streetwise Opera

Streetwise Opera aims to give homeless people a voice. Using music as a tool for building confidence and social networks, Streetwise Opera helps them gain opportunities to further their personal development. In support of Streetwise Opera, the Macquarie Group Foundation became the organisation's first corporate partner. The Foundation has committed funding for Streetwise Opera's Streetwise Live programme of workshops and small performances and its Annual Production, which gives the participants the opportunity to star alongside industry professionals.

For more information about Streetwise Opera, click here

For more information about the Macquarie Group Foundation, click here