Macquarie Group Foundation

    Global grantmaking focus

    Each of our four regions face distinct challenges and priorities, which is why each region concentrates on issues with local relevance and aims to create the greatest social impact.

    At the Macquarie Group Foundation, we want to achieve the most significant social impact possible, using not only our financial resources but also the skills and networks of Macquarie employees. Through both the giving of grants and by creating opportunities for staff engagement, including mentoring, training, knowledge sharing and employability programs, we are helping to support people through education and employment.

    Empowering young people to build a better future


    Australia

    In Australia, we support organisations helping young people to participate in jobs that prepare them for a better future. Our grantmaking focuses on:

    • encouraging employers to take an active role in creating opportunities
    • employment pathways for the future of work
    • increasing entry points to employment

    Find out more about the Australian focus area by reading our grantmaking framework and the evidence compiled by Social Ventures Australia (2021).

    Supporting youth employment programs for a better future


    Americas

    In the Americas, we support organisations promoting college access, success and career attainment for underrepresented youth.

    You can find out more about our annual Mentoring Week and our Leadership, Education, Advancement, Development and Support (LEADS) internship program.

    Read more about our grant partner Heights Philadelphia and hear more about our strategic grant partnership with Instituto Four in our video.

    Instituto Four, Macquarie Group Foundation partnership


    Asia

    In Asia, we support non-profit organisations that empower young people (15-24 years), women and underserved minorities into employment by bridging the gaps between job seekers’ current skills and education levels and the job market’s expectations and needs. We prioritise organisations and initiatives that work to address one or more of the following challenges:

    • mismatch in skills, education and employers’ expectations
    • quality and accessibility of education
    • barriers faced by vulnerable groups due to digitalisation
    • migration and mobility risks.

    Find out more about the Asia focus area by reading our grantmaking framework and the research compiled by Research for Impact (2024).

    Supporting young people (15-24 years), women and underserved minorities into employment


    Europe, the Middle East and Africa

    In Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), we support people (16-80yrs+) to achieve their social mobility aspirations through employment, with an emphasis on enduring jobs and meaningful work. 

    In 2020, we launched our inaugural Social Mobility Week, celebrating our grant partners and recognising our organisation as a Top 75 employer in the UK Social Mobility Index. You can read about our grant partner, the Social Mobility Foundation.

    As a founding funder and member of the BIG Alliance (Businesses for Islington Giving), we have sought to play an integral role in our local community supporting Islington Giving and the BIG Alliance team to run initiatives such as Mentoring Works and the CoRe (Community Resourcing) programme.

    Social Mobility Foundation strategic partnership


    Our current grant partners

    Our grantmaking process

    The Macquarie Group Foundation’s grantmaking is primarily focused on supporting non-profit organisations that align to our grantmaking framework in the relevant region. We do not accept requests for funding outside of our expressions of interest grant rounds. These opportunities will be communicated as they are made available.

    Social impact investing

    Our social impact investments are focused on breaking down barriers to employment. If your organisation is seeking an impact investment visit our dedicated page to find out more.