Hanlon Industries Building a Better Community in the Geelong Region

From the judges: “Nice partnership and good year on year growth in participation.”

The Give Where You Live Foundation aims to address one of the most complex and entrenched social issues in our community – disadvantage. The Foundation is one the largest annual community grant makers in the country, however the focus is on long term impact.

Hanlon Industries is a family owned building materials and services business. It commenced payroll donations to the Give Where You Live Foundation in 2007 and currently has 58% of its 89 employees contributing to the program, with donations matched dollar-for dollar by the company.

The Give Where You Live Foundation and Hanlon Industries are working together to create a better community within greater Geelong. Hanlon Industries recognise that disadvantage is everyone’s business. The company has observed that some employees have seen firsthand how disadvantage can impact on families, and feel passionately about giving back when they can.

Keeping staff engaged with the program is key to its success. Each year Hanlon Industries hold a Workplace Giving BBQ to thank employees for their contributions, and a representative from the Foundation attends to update employees in person on how their donations have helped. The opportunity is also used to inspire more staff to sign up to the program or for existing donors to increase their pledge. The company provides a prize that all existing and new donors can go into a draw to win.

Impact stories from the Foundation are shared regularly throughout the year at staff ‘toolbox meetings’. Additionally, all new recruits are introduced to the program during their induction process. Hanlon Industries also encourages other local businesses to get involved in Workplace Giving. It was a panellist at the Foundation’s first Workplace Giving Month Event in June 2017, where it spoke about how the program not only helps the local community but contributes positively to their own workplace culture.

In the last financial year, Hanlon Industries employees contributed $13,662, which when matched by the business totalled a $27,000 contribution to the Foundation.