Employee choice local grants recipients for 2025
Helping to build strong, resilient communities is at the heart of QBE’s purpose. Through the QBE Foundation, we support community organisations that are making a difference to the communities we operate in.
Each year, we invite community organisations based in Australia supporting programs across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific to apply for $50,000 grants, helping them achieve the goals at the heart of their own purpose. In 2025, $600,000 was awarded to 12 community organisations across three categories: climate resilience, inclusion, and employee choice.
The employee choice category is for community organisations nominated by our people. Whether it’s a community organisation that’s helped their family or a cause they volunteer for, this category is about supporting the causes closest to the hearts of our people.
Four organisations chosen by our people received grants this year, spanning sibling bereavement, pet care for people fleeing domestic violence, support for families with children with serious respiratory conditions and increasing stem cell donor pools for blood cancer patients.
Meet this year’s climate resilience recipients
Precious Wings
Precious Wings is a Queensland-based community organisation providing memory boxes, grief resources and ongoing peer support to families who have experienced the devastating loss of a child. Recognising that grief touches the whole family, Precious Wings ensures siblings and children – so often the ‘forgotten grievers’ – are seen, included and supported, because the impacts of sibling loss can be profound and long-lasting.
“Working in collaboration with bereavement specialists and families with lived experience, this grant will allow us to co-design three sibling support packs tailored for ages 0-5, 6-12, and 12-18 years,” said Kerry Gordon, CEO and Founder. “These packs will complement our memory boxes and provide immediate support, care, and comfort in those first critical hours and days after loss, helping children feel less alone as they begin their grief journey.”
Safe Pets Safe Families
Safe Pets Safe Families supports people in crisis – particularly those fleeing domestic violence – by providing pet care, such as fostering, vet care, and pet food banks.
“Our service fills a critical gap in domestic violence support and is there to ensure no one has to choose between their own safety and the wellbeing of their pet,” said Jennifer Howard, Founder.
“The grant will be used to establish a dedicated Domestic Violence Community Veterinary Fund, covering upfront vet fees for pets of domestic violence survivors and allowing them to repay the costs through interest free instalments in a circular model that replenishes the fund for future survivors.”
The program will provide triaged access to 18 partner vet clinics across South Australia and aims to support at least 100 clients in its first cycle.
The Lung Warrior Inc.
The Lung Warrior supports sick children and their families suffering with Lung conditions in Western Australia.
“With a son who has spent the majority of his life admitted in hospital with lung related conditions, I know the strain navigating complex health journeys puts on families,” said Madison Dobels, President and Chair. “The Lung Warrior aims to create positive experiences and memories for families at this difficult time, bring comfort, connection, and joy.”
The grant will be used to help scale the core five programs, providing monthly Respicare packs for patients at Perth Children’s Hospital, lending games and electronics to hospitalised children, supporting outings for families post-discharge, community connection morning teas, and the purchase of an education doll to help explain medical procedures to children.
The TLR Foundation
The TLR Foundation is working to increase Australia’s stem cell donor pool by recruiting young and diverse donors to improve match rates for blood cancer patients. Using digital storytelling, peer advocacy, and community outreach to raise awareness and normalise donation, it’s helping to address a critical gap in donor diversity and accessibility.
“The support will help us inspire more young and diverse Australians to join the stem cell donor registry, giving patients with blood cancer a greater chance of finding their life-saving match,” said Neil Pennock, Co-Founder and Chair.
The grant will fund a national digital campaign, including a new website, Google Ads, and videos. The campaign will also engage university students and young Australians as peer ambassadors to promote stem cell donation through social networks and educational settings.
Find out more about the QBE Foundation local grants program.