Media Release: Toyota Financial Services is making it happen for young people in the community
In August, Toyota Financial Services (TFS) launched its workplace giving program achieving an encouraging staff participation rate of 15% in the first month alone – well in excess of the national average participation rate of 4.6% – and is continuing to work toward its year one target of 20+% staff joining.
John Chandler, TFS’ Chief Executive Officer, believes TFS employees understand the individual and collective impact their giving will have in the wider community.
“I’m proud of our employees getting on board with the initial phase of our workplace giving program ‘Making it Happen’. It’s another example of how our people and company are investing in the community. We’ve kicked off with pre-tax payroll giving, company matching and workplace fundraising events. Over the coming months, we’ll also roll out the volunteering component of our program to enable us to share our time and expertise with our charity partners”.
“Our people are at the core of our business and providing an avenue to give in cost-effective and meaningful ways simply makes sense. This brings to life our values here at Toyota Financial Services” said Mr Chandler.
Making it Happen is one of many community investment approaches for TFS which underpins the national and global vision articulated in the Toyota guiding principles.
CanTeen and The Smith Family were chosen as Making it Happen charity partners because of their focus on assisting young people overcome challenging situations. CanTeen supports young people when cancer turns their world upside down and helps them cope with the physical, emotional and practical impact of living with cancer. The Smith Family is a national charity helping young Australians in need to get the most out of their education, so they can create better futures for themselves. The charities have been carefully selected to align with the company’s culture, business strategy and ethics.
Toyota Financial Services partnered with The Australian Charities Fund (ACF) to advise on the development of the workplace giving program and other complementary community investment initiatives. As one of the architects, drivers and thought leaders of workplace giving in Australia, ACF is delighted with the initial outcome achieved. Jenny Geddes, the CEO of ACF, said it’s evident TFS is committed to providing sustainable approaches to make a difference in the community.
“Businesses like Toyota Financial Services are paving the way to encourage other companies and working Australians to give in an effective and cost efficient way – harnessing the generosity, enthusiasm and skills of the business and its staff. We aim to see successful workplace giving programs become the standard for corporate community investment, enabling employers and employees to give in a high impact way to generate the regular, low-cost funding charities need”, said Ms Geddes.
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McLeod, J. (August, 2014). Australian Giving Trends – stuck on the plateau, JBWere retrieved from: http://www.jbwere.com.au/jbwere/assets/File/Australian%20Giving%20Trends%20-%20August%202014.pdf
Editor’s note
About Toyota community investment
Toyota has a long tradition of supporting the community at both the local and national level. Toyota Financial Services community investment philosophy reflects the global vision and is articulated in the Toyota guiding principles.
While Toyota is a car company, our community investment philosophy encapsulates the concept that we exist to work with local communities to strengthen and contribute to society.
