Future2 Foundation expands membership

As with the Financial Planning Association (FPA), AFA and SMSFA members can now nominate their local community causes for the “Make the Difference” grants program, which Future2 said is expected to open in August, and have the opportunity to participate in fundraising.

The foundation said that the expanded scope will also include a broader focus, aiming to include all Australians in need rather than just younger Australians.

Julie Berry, chair of Future2, said: “We have been working with FPA members since 2007 to identify and support grassroots, community programs around Australia, helping those experiencing hardship.

“We will now be working with even more financial services professionals, including members of SMSF Association and the AFA.

“We will also continue our partnership with the FPA through the new association, the Financial Advice Association Australia, once the merger of the FPA and AFA has completed.”

Ms Berry added that Future2 has supported more than 150 local community programs and distributed $1.6 million to these causes.

“It is really rewarding to see the funds raised at work, and exciting to think that we will now have more financial services professionals involved, with the opportunity to make a difference,” she said.

FPA chief executive Sarah Abood will step down from the board of Future2, while Julian Place and Mahjabeen Zaman have also retired from the board.

“On behalf of Future2, I thank Sarah, Julian and Mahjabeen for their hard work — they have been exceptional board members and supporters of Future2. They intend to continue to support and contribute to Future 2, and we will continue to work with them,” Ms Berry said.

“We will be appointing new board members shortly who will represent our expanded remit and role within the financial services profession.”

She also urged AFA and SMSFA members to advocate for the causes they care about.

“I encourage our new eligible members to keep their eye out for the next round of grant applications and take the opportunity to nominate causes close to their hearts to receive a grant from Future2,” Ms Berry said.

In February, Future2 announced that it had awarded $149,000 in grants to 15 not-for-profit organisations.

“The recipients of the latest round of grants are all grassroots causes that have an impact on their immediate, local communities. They rely on this kind of funding in order to be able to continue their vital activities,” Ms Berry said.