Bupa has announced a new round of funding through its Community Grants Program, committing $520,000 to support community organisations in Australia and New Zealand.
The grants, which offer up to $10,000 per organisation, aim to fund initiatives that enhance mental health and sustainability.
Since its launch in 2019, the program has provided more than $1.5 million to assist efforts in preventing and managing mental and physical health issues through nature-based activities and peer-support programs.
Roger Sharp, Bupa’s chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer for the Asia Pacific region, said the grants align with the insurer’s mission to foster healthier communities.
“These grants are not just much-needed funds for organisations doing great work in our community; they also represent Bupa’s commitment to its founding purpose of helping people to live longer, healthier, happier lives and to make a better world,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of partnering with local groups to address health and environmental challenges.
“As a health and care company, we know we need to work with others if we are going to help create a healthier planet for healthier people. And we need to take actions both large and small, particularly in local communities,” he said.
In 2023, the Bupa Foundation distributed close to $400,000 to organisations such as RedKite, Assistance Dogs Australia, and the Youth Climate Collective in New Zealand. These funds supported initiatives aimed at improving societal and environmental wellbeing.
With the program’s expansion to $520,000 in 2024, Bupa aims to further its impact. Community organisations are invited to apply for funding by September 6, 2024.
“By expanding the Community Grants program by more than $120,000 in 2024, we are hoping to help make an even greater difference over the coming year, and we encourage organisations who want to expand their impact to express their interest,” Sharp said.
Bupa has also expanded its eco-Disruptive program for 2024, targeting start-ups in New Zealand, Australia, and Hong Kong.
The program offers funding and support for start-ups focused on societal health, sustainability, and access to quality healthcare. Selected start-ups will receive initial funding of £25,000, with a chance to win a global prize of £200,000.
Sharp highlighted the eco-Disruptive program’s success since its 2021 inception, which has supported 18 environmentally-focused start-ups, including Airseed, Cassava Bags Australia, and Clearbot.
“This year, we feel the time is right for a wider focus, to a program that not only brings opportunities for innovation and sustainability but also to engage start-ups that are focused on creating healthy societies through the themes of inclusive health, supporting disability, and illness prevention,” he said. “By focusing on these areas, we can help improve people’s access to healthcare, when they need it. By doing so, we can also help prevent the need for more significant health care in the future which in turn reduces the impact of the health sector on the environment.”
He said the program is part of Bupa’s broader strategy to engage with innovative start-ups.
“Working with start-ups, and embracing new ways of thinking, are an important part of Bupa’s strategy, because the health challenges facing our communities are vast, complicated and require us to innovate and move at speed,” he said. “We believe we can support a start-ups inherent agility and creativity with scale, access to global insights and our market presence across five continents. We are really excited to see what our teams and start-ups are able to develop and bring to market.”
