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philanthropy, the ci way

CI Philanthropy identies and backs organisations, using the same principles and investment philosophy we follow at CI. We support cause areas reective of community needs, and we back great people, inspirational founders with teams committed to delivering better outcomes for people who need them most.“Peter Cooper

THENPhilanthropy or the act of contribution is a core value at Cooper Investors. The CI Sta Fund was established in 2008 with an initial commitment from the Cooper Investors Board of $150,000 per annum for three years. There was no grand plan other than to nd good people to support, have a go and do the right thing. To support the distribution of these funds the CI Philanthropy Committee was established so that sta members could have a say in where donations were made. In 2010 the Board increased the annual Philanthropy Fund budget to $250,000. Since then the Philanthropy Committee has overseen the distribution of $6.5 million dollars to close to 100 worthy organisations. These charities are on the ground, in the community, working to deeply understand the issues faced by the most vulnerable in society and supporting inspiring community leaders to deliver initiatives that reduce the symptoms of poverty and disadvantageWe operate with a “portfolio” approach to our philanthropy, seeking value, good operating trends and outstanding leadership to align with the CI Way of investing. Committee members have visited projects in and around Melbourne, indigenous communities in Australia and projects in Kenya, Cambodia, Vietnam, Madagascar, Thailand, Tanzania, Nepal and Burma. Cooper Investors’ philanthropy is based on relationships. We believe that where we can, we should leverage our connections to amplify the impact of our donations. We’ve had the privilege of hosting over 100 presentations in our board room from the inspirational Founders of the projects we support to promote their work to networks.

NOWIn March 2021, the Board generously approved a request to increase the annual funding of the CI Sta Fund by $150,000 to bring the total available for distribution to $400,000 per annum.While we maintain the same ethos of supporting good people doing good work, we have developed the structure of our program to ensure the donations we make have the greatest impact possible. We will continue to support organisations that are helmed by inspiring leaders with drive, purpose and passion who have an intimate understanding of the social problem they are seeking to address and how it can be solved. To achieve Cooper Investors’ philanthropy goals, we will be directing the majority of our support to the following areas: • The Social Enterprise Sector by supporting innovative, mission driven social enterprise organisations. A social enterprise is a business that trades to tackle social problems, improve communities and people’s lives by promoting and encouraging social change, in a nancially sustainable way.• The Mental Health sector by supporting organisations that provide frontline services in the community that deliver early intervention and prevention initiatives.• We will continue to support overseas aid organisation and initiatives that make it easier for Australians to send charitable dollars overseas. Importantly, to continue to honour the origins of Cooper Investors’ Philanthropy we remain committed to providing funding to match contributions to sta led community fund raising initiatives.As we move into the next 10 years and beyond, we look forward to continuing our long commitment to Philanthropy, the CI Way.

HUMANITY

Several years ago I learned my mum was part of a knitting group that was donating their time and wool in order to give warmth and comfort to those doing it tough. The organisation that distributed all the handmade garments was KOGO. I am very proud CI philanthropy supports grassroot, volunteer based organisations, it has given many people an education, food, shelter and a go at life.“Allan Goldstein

“Cooper Investors anticipated the growth in demand for our items. Due to their generosity we now assist people experiencing homelessness, women and children living in refuges from domestic violence, new mums doing it tough, as well as refugees and those living in remote indigenous communities.”Founder, Ros Rogers OAM

THENKOGO is a 100% volunteer run charity that exists to spread the warmth to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community.2010 100% VOLUNTEERSFounder Ros Rogers led her friends and family in directing their knitting energy towards knitting warm, essential clothing for those experiencing homelessness. Today the organisation is still 100% volunteer run.

NOW112,000 10,000GARMENTSKogo now distributes over 112,000 garments per year including baby gift packs and blankets to those in our community experiencing hardship. KNITTERSKOGO now has over 10,000 registered knitters and more than 300 Community Partner Organisations. Since its inception, KOGO has distributed over 750,000 warm items to those in need.

GRATITUDE

CI Philanthropy has opened my eyes and makes me see beyond my own fortunes, and for that I’ll forever be grateful.“Kate Lonergan

“Cooper Investors has been the most important supporter of Mekhala Learning Centre over the last decade. Without your long-term support, many bright girls and young women would not be where they are now.”Founder, Mark Gemmola

THEN2011 44Cambodian Kids Can (CKC) enables girls and young women in the poorest province of Cambodia to gain access to education, empowering them to change their lives and the lives of their families and community.STUDENTSCKC began with providing six-month courses in English, Computer Studies and Internet skills for 44 students.

NOW60070%STUDENTSCKC now has over 600 active students who are being provided with the skills necessary to gain employment.EMPLOYMENT70% of the girls and young women who completed their course at the Mekhala Learning Centre course have found employment with local companies.

ENGAGEMENT

“What I’m most grateful for is the opportunity to meet and interact with the outstanding people that run these projects. These people are my heroes and hearing their stories and assisting them where possible to achieve their vision has shown me the way to be a better person.Phil Holland

“Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation has been incredibly fortunate to have the support of Cooper Investors over the years. Their sta and management have been engaged with our work in Vietnam, visiting whenever they can and always interested in how they could help to transform lives. With Cooper Investors’ funding, Blue Dragon has served up thousands of meals to children; opened a new centre for street children in Hanoi; developed clean farming practices where we grow our own vegetables; and even built a road to connect a village to a main road.”Founder, Michael Brosowski

THENBlue Dragon helps kids in crisis throughout Vietnam supporting street kids, runaway children, victims of human tracking and children with disabilities. Blue Dragon sees these children through a crisis and works with them until they no longer need assistance.20123STAFFWith just three full time sta, Michael Brosowski opened Blue Dragon Vietnam, a combined drop-in centre and oce in the impoverished Long Bien area of Hanoi.

NOW1,5001,000ENGAGED Today Blue Dragon is working directly with over 1,500 children and youth from around Vietnam, transforming the lives of kids in criis.SET FREESince Blue Dragon rst rescued a child from slavery, Blue Dragon has reached a major milestone, with the 1,000th rescue of a survivor of human tracking.

INTENTIONALITY

I see philanthropy as part of the solution. I am an unashamed evangelical advocate for philanthropy and the power of private capital to drive change, leverage outcomes and make a signicant contribution at both the grassroots level and in social policy.“Natalie Elliott

“ygap would like to acknowledge and give thanks for the enduring support from Cooper Investors. Support from the CI Philanthropy assisted in the establishment of Feast of Merit, a hospitality social enterprise that in turn enabled ygap to transition from an a young and ambitious not for prot charity into to a mature, eective, development organisation making signicant change to the lives of people in communities across the world.”CEO, Lisa Hyden

THENygap is an international development organisation that supports early-stage social impact ventures with locally-led solutions to local problems. ygap programs are designed to accelerate the potential of locally-led business by combining economic empowerment with community development.2013 44PROGRAMSygap runs 44 programs across Australia, Bangladesh, the Pacic Islands, Kenya and South Africa.

NOW1.2m541IMPACT VENTURESSince inception ygap has supported 541 impact ventures resulting in an overall reduction in poverty and a brighter future for communities in the regions and countries in which they work.IMPACTEDAn impact assessment of ygap’s work estimated over one million people have been positively impacted by the ventures started by ygap programs improving lives through better access to health care, education, and regular employment.

AUTHENTIC

The gift of opportunity, inuence and voice in addition to philanthropic dollars is what really aects change and improves the wellbeing of humanity. Leveraging networks and relationships, making deeper connections, that’s where I fervently believe the magic of philanthropy happens.“Nicole Engelman

“Cooper Investors has been right by our side since day one and together we have been able to create a fully functioning, highly successful academic school, vocational training facility and dormitories that positively impact the lives of young people in the area and will continue to do so for years to come. HUGs from the HUG team and everyone at Suubi SS.”Founders, Helen and Adrian Brown

THEN‘HUG – Help Us Grow’ is an Australian-based not-for-prot organisation that has been working tirelessly, since 2008, to implement and support sustainable community projects in the beautiful rural villages of Uganda in East Africa.2014 47STUDENTSThe initial classroom block housed forty-seven Senior 1 students who became pioneering students at Suubi SS.

NOW2200STUDENTSHUG has been able to create a fully functioning, highly successful academic school, vocational training facility and dormitories that now positively impacts the lives of young people in the area and will continue to do so for years to come.DORMITORIES

PRESENT AND IN THE MOMENT

As a father of 3 daughters I am particularly interested in projects that give girls access to education, healthcare and employment. No-one should have to live in fear or be forced to choose between going to school and supporting a parent.“Chris Dixon

“We could never have grown at such a rapid rate throughout the past 10 years without the continued support of amazing companies like Cooper Investors. I have loved watching the high level of sta engagement in the programs we are delivering and their total buy in and commitment to the projects they are backing across the globe.” Founder, Annabelle Chauncy OAM

THEN NOWSchool for life foundation is a not-for-prot organisation working in rural Uganda. They empower communities to help themselves and create their own opportunities.20152ENTREPRENEURSTwo young, passionate Australian entrepreneurs, Annabelle Chauncy OAM and David Everett OAM were determined to build a school in rural Uganda, so they raised over $500,000 in partnership with Rotary to build Katuuso Primary and Vocational School.

3 1,200SCHOOLSThere are now three schools, plus solar electricity systems, desks and a bio-gas latrine system which turns waste into gas for cooking the sta and students’ meals.STUDENTSSchool for Life is now providing high quality education, clean water, health care, nutritious meals, and vocational training to more than 1200 students from primary to high school, and employs 120 people across two continents.

EMPATHY

“I love meeting the astoundingly dedicated people that CI Philanthropy supports. I often return to my desk after a philanthropy presentation and ponder over how they have dedicated their lives to helping others.Amanda Lippner

“Cooper Investors has been a generous supporter of St Kilda Mums assisting with the evolving needs of our organisation, but most importantly Cooper Investors has shared our vision of a future where we waste less, share more and care for every baby and child. Recently, this support enabled the development of a mobile application that encourages the safe reuse of second hand baby goods, critical for preventing childhood injuries. We love how exible and responsive you are.”Founder, Jessica Macpherson OAM

THENSt Kilda Mums recycles nursery equipment including cots and quality and safety checks the goods to ensure they meet current Australian Safety Standards for some of the most vulnerable families in our community.2016 5MUMSFive mums were attending the St Kilda Maternal and Child Health Centre when they noticed donated baby goods stacked high in the photocopying room. Jessica Macpherson volunteered to sort, launder and package the preloved goods for rehoming to families in need commencing what would become St Kilda Mums.

NOW59,00074A YEAREach year around 59,000 items are donated or purchased and rehomed to families who would otherwise not have clean, safe products essential to support a growing family.COUNCILSSt Kilda Mums currently reaches families in 74 of Victoria’s 79 Local Government Areas helping babies and children stay safe and supporting families to feel valued and connected.

HUMILITY

“What I love about the charities CI Philanthropy supports is that they exude the same culture as the companies we invest in – gratitude, humility, authenticity, intentionality and passion. The investor in me really enjoys observing and getting inspired by the rigorous and focused eorts that these organizations put in, with real discipline, cadence and accountability. Qiao Ma

“Thrive is very grateful for the support provided by Cooper Investors and the important role they have played in our journey. Cooper Investors’ support has allowed Thrive to demonstrate the viability & benets of intervening in the refugee pathway both economically and socially and enabled us to take the next steps in developing our organisation’s impact and broaden our reach.”Chairman, Huy Truong

THENThrive Refugee Enterprise (TRE) positively transforms the lives of refugees and asylum seekers by helping them build successful businesses and fullling lives, so they can make meaningful contributions to the Australian economy and society.2017 10INVESTORS10 nancial backers joined together to start TRE by providing nancial support for refugees and asylum seekers in the form of micro nance loans for new or existing businesses and post-loan mentoring to guide refugee entrepreneurs towards business success.

NOW64 $31mAREASFrom beginnings in Newcastle, Thrive Refugee Enterprises now operates in 64 suburbs across NSW and Victoria assisted in their operations by 128 volunteers from the nancial industry.LENT196 businesses have been created from the $3.1m lent to entrepreneurial refugees providing nancial independence which promotes faster and more successful integration as active contributors to the Australian economy and society.

PASSION AND CURIOSITY

A timeless mantra that rings through my thoughts is “Charity begins at home” and the notion of home isn’t just the bricks and mortar I reside in every night with my own family. It’s the landscape in which my family and I live, work and play. To have heard stories of passionate professionals and the inspiring young people they support gives me a sense of pride.“Frankie Mantello

“It takes a village to raise a child, and without the support of community and partners across Australia, BackTrack would never exist. Cooper Investors has helped us to expand our reach across other communities. With your support BackTrack has been able to widen its reach and replicate our programs in other communities who want to support their young people having a hard time.” Founder, Bernie Shakeshaft

THENBackTrack Youth Works is an independent community-based organisation working with some of the most marginalised young people in our community. 2018 12–18YEAR OLDS BackTrack works with young people who have run out of options. They do this by keeping them alive, out of jail, and chasing their hopes and dreams.

NOW1000 87% YOUNG PEOPLEBy helping to develop work and life skills, engage in education and training, nd jobs and connect with their community, BackTrack has now forged new beginnings for over 1000 young people.SUCCESS RATEBackTrack delivers a range of holistic hands on programs designed to build a sense of belonging, share new skills, learn to take responsibility for our actions, and give back to others – along with long term wrap around support.

HOPE

“CI Philanthropy connects sta to people on the ground. Hearing tangible stories from the coalface makes me reect on the importance of investing in terms of the real and meaningful impact CI Philanthropy can have on those less fortunate.Ryan Riedler

“Since 2010 the generous support from Cooper Investors has been the backbone of our successful work in Nepal. Thanks to the unyielding commitment we’ve received from CI, these children have always been able to grow up knowing that we’ve got their back no matter what. We are forever grateful for this beautiful partnership.”Founder, Tuuli Vikstedt

THENThe Onni Project gives the opportunity for a new life to orphaned, abandoned and at-risk Nepalese children by providing a safe environment for them to grow into happy, well balanced young adults with hope for a bright future.2019 2FOUNDERSTuuli Viksted and Carl Steinfort established a not-for-prot organisation with the vision of providing opportunities for children experiencing disadvantage to enhance their quality of life and improve their chances of a better future for themselves and their communities.

NOW14200STUDENTSThe Onni project currently provides a home for 14 children (aged from 15-20 years old) of which seven are girls and seven are boys. Children have been selected regardless of their religion, sex, colour or tribe.SCHOLARSHIPSOver 200 children (of which the majority are girls) living in nancially disadvantaged local families have been supported with a Scholarship at Onni House to continue with school and receive medical care and guidance, preventing them from being engaged into child labour.

COMMUNITY

The CI Philanthropy Fund plays a crucial role in “closing the loop” when it comes to The CI Way. We seek to partner with focused and passionate leaders in both our investment and philanthropic pursuits.“Marcus Guzzardi

“At Habitat for Humanity Victoria, we believe in a world where every child, every family, every ONE deserves a decent place to call home. By being part of Habitat for Humanity’s “Community of Supporters” Cooper Investors is helping low income families living in housing stress to break the cycle of poverty and take the next step on the pathway to home ownership.”Executive Director, Philip Curtis

THENHabitat for Humanity Victoria (HFHV) builds simple, safe and aordable homes and undertakes home repairs, all aimed at building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.202082,000WAITLISTThe waitlist for people seeking public housing is around 82,000, highlighting the extreme shortage and access to aordable housing.

NOW210 66VOLUNTEERSHFHV have been supported in their homebuilding programs by over 210 on-site volunteers during 30 volunteer days.HOMESThrough the building of 66 homes Victorian families have been supported into a safe, decent and aordable place to live so that they can build a foundation for a better life; for themselves and their children.

I feel great pride in the way CI lives and breathes philanthropy as a core part of who we are, not just words on the wall. “Ron Dewhurst