Foodbank & ChemSupply – Creating the perfect chemistry for corporate giving

Leading South Australian chemical, reagent and ingredient supplier, ChemSupply Australia, recently joined the ranks of the state’s corporate philanthropists with the launch of its dedicated charitable giving platform, CSA Community. 

An independent, employee-led program, CSA Community was specially set up to give staff, and the company as a whole, the opportunity to support local and international initiatives in a wide range of ways, from paid volunteering days to fundraising and in-kind donations. 

For many years, ChemSupply Australia has supported a diverse range of projects, including a company-wide fundraising campaign to build a girls’ boarding house for students in rural Vietnam, as well as providing adhoc donations and support for organisations such as Foodbank SA. 

There was however, a strong desire in the company to formalise the process, and the seeds of CSA Community were sown.

One of the first steps in the creation of CSA Community, was to register with Foundation SA, through which it holds a charitable sub-fund account. 

“Foundation SA is thrilled to be assisting CSA Community fulfil their vision of being leaders in corporate philanthropy,” said Stacey Thomas, CEO, Foundation SA 

“By providing an efficient way to engage their staff and the community, this partnership allows CSA Community to focus on their areas of passion and increase their impact.” 

Building on a long-term association, Foodbank SA were the first to benefit from CSA Community’s support.

In addition to its own $20,000 contribution, CSA Community seized on an opportunity for dollar-for-dollar matched funding from the South Australian Government’s Department of Human Services via Foundation SA, resulting in a $40,000 donation to Foodbank SA.

“ChemSupply Australia has been a strong supporter of Foodbank SA over the years,” said Foodbank SA CEO, Greg Pattinson. 

“It’s great to see them now taking this support further by developing a new ‘all-of-business’ approach to social purpose with the launch of CSA Community, and we’re delighted that Foodbank SA is the recipient of the first CSA Community donation. 

“The contribution will help us to provide 80,000 meals for the most vulnerable in our community. But these funds are more than just food. Their social impact will be more than $920,000 in the community, and importantly, they’re helping to end hunger in South Australia.”

Like many corporate philanthropists, the team at ChemSupply Australia was inspired by the belief that goodwill shouldn’t sit still. 

“Everything is linked,” said ChemSupply Australia Director, Geoff Goss. 

“Our customers support our business and, in turn, this enables us to support others, like Foodbank SA, who play such as vital role in helping those who, through no fault of their own, are really doing it tough.”

“Even a small contribution in time or money can make an enormous difference to a community.”