The Funding Network Australia (TFN) and the AMP Foundation have proved the power of collective giving at a special online event that raised $250,000 for three deserving non-profits – with a further $25,000 donated to TFN.
As a founding partner, the AMP Foundation was proud to host the 100th event for TFN – which brought its ‘Shark Tank meets TED Talk’ pitch-and-pledge format to Australia in 2013. At a challenging time for fundraisers, TFN showed great ingenuity by swiftly shifting its fast-paced live crowdfunder model online.
Last night’s virtual event – the tenth TFN hosted by the AMP Foundation – supported Dreams2Live4, Autism Swim and Pink Elephants Support Network. Three amazing women – all AMP Tomorrow Makers – pitched via Crowdcast to online guests, raising much-needed funds for their innovative social programs.
ABC Radio’s James Valentine was a masterful MC, urging giving and spurring healthy competition between donors who pledged via an online chat function. To celebrate the milestone, the AMP Foundation provided $100,000 in matched funding, which encouraged guests to dig deep.
When the final tally of $250,042 (which may grow in days to come) was unveiled, the three charity leaders were overwhelmed by the generosity of the many at-home donors who were touched by their stories.
Pink Elephants founder Samantha Payne was moved to tears by the $106,000 raised for the organisation born from her lived experience of pregnancy loss. The funds will provide bereavement counselling to those who have experienced miscarriage:
“By donating tonight, you validate that all our losses matter.”
Louise Mahoney of Dreams2Live4 was “thrilled” to receive $69,450 to fund a Dream Maker who can help people living with metastatic cancer realise their dreams:
“This will make a lot of dreams come true.”
Erika Gleeson was overjoyed to receive $74,592 from donors, which will go towards developing a water safety app for Autism Swim – a social enterprise that works to make the water safer for people with ASD.
“Thank you for believing that everyone should have the same opportunity to enjoy the water.”
TFN’s pandemic ‘pivot’ applauded
Head of AMP Foundation Helen Liondos said the success of TFN’s milestone event reflected the crowdfunding pioneers’ ingenuity and adaptability:
“We were honoured to host TFN’s 100th event in support of three incredible organisations, led by AMP Tomorrow Makers. In a few short years, TFN has transformed the fortunes of many small non-profits through their incredibly effective and fun live crowdfunders.
“The way in which TFN has adapted to these times is not surprising – it’s what we’ve come to expect from this innovative organisation. I have no doubt TFN will continue to evolve collective philanthropy and at the same time help hundreds of small grassroots charities for many years to come.”
To date, TFN has facilitated more than $13 million for over 320 non-profit programs. The 10 TFN events the AMP Foundation has hosted have raised close to $1.4 million.
TFN CEO Julie McDonald says, “Collective giving brings together people from all walks of life to combine funds and resources to create lasting social change. We are incredibly excited to have reached this milestone event and awed by the generosity of Australians to date.
"We’re grateful to all our partners over the years and look forward to further success as we continue to adapt our fundraising model over this period of global pandemic.”
About the AMP Foundation
The AMP Foundation is the main vehicle through which AMP invests in the community. Since 1992, it has distributed more than $100 million to the community.
Its goal is to help create a better tomorrow for Australians, by investing in community involvement, capacity-building programs and partnerships.
