SONY FOUNDATION AUSTRALIA 2021
ANNUAL
REPORT
OUR MISSION IS TO
IMPROVE THE HEALTH &
WELLBEING OF YOUNG
AUSTRALIANS IN NEED.
We take on the big issues, ones that are often overlooked by society. Through engaged philanthropy and collaboration, we endeavour to deliver social change and positive experiences to empower our next generation. We seek to be the voice for our young people, the champion of the cause, and the answer to the gap in the system.
OUR IMPACT FY21
Sony Foundation unites the Sony companies, their business partners and Australians to raise funds and make a positive change in the lives of young people who are falling through the gap.
$2,260,000+
Donated
$2,260,000+ donated to capital building projects and youth services to create social change and opportunities for young Australians.
$2,904,000+
Additional Commitment
$2,904,000+ committed to future capital building projects and youth services to continue improving the health and wellbeing of young Australians, particularly those in regional and rural areas.
51
Partner Network
51 Media and Corporate Partners donated funds, services and assets.
$520,000+
Pro-Bono Services
$520,000+ received in pro bono and donated goods and services from our Media and Corporate Partner network enabling greater investment into youth causes.
$515,000+
Philanthropic Gifts and Grants
$515,000 in major gifts and grants donated to our programs from philanthropic supporters.
$813,000+
Collaboration
$813,000+ raised through innovative collaboration with our Media and Corporate Partner network and Ambassadors.
OUR LEADERS
CATHY O'CONNOR
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director,
oOh!media Pty Ltd
Chair's Message
"Since its inception in 1998, Sony Foundation’s backbone has been our Media, Corporate and Philanthropic Partners. In the past year, this support has been stronger than ever as our partners rallied together to ensure our programs, services and spaces continue to provide critical support for our young people."
SOPHIE RYAN
Chief Executive Officer,
Sony Foundation Australia
CEO’s Message
"For Australian youth, this last year has been one that has presented incredible challenges and it is our most vulnerable, who have experienced the widespread impact of these challenges. And, those too who have shown great resilience in the face of such adversity."
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
stephen basil-jones
Director
Executive Vice President, Australia New Zealand & Northern Asia,
Sony Pictures Releasing
YUZO OTSUKI
Director
Managing Director,
Sony Australia & New Zealand
Goncalo Fialho
Director
General Manager,
Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia & New Zealand
MARK FENNESSY AM
Director
Chairman,
Helium Limited
DR DAVID ROSENGREN
Director
Executive Director,
Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Commissioner Michael Fuller APM
Director
Commissioner,
New South Wales Police
WITH THANKS TO
Sony Foundation outgoing Board Directors
DENIS HANDLIN AO
DAMIAN EALES
OUR PROGRAMS
We take on the big issues that affect the lives of young Australians with cancer, disability, experiencing homelessness or disadvantage. We seek to be the voice for our young people, the champion of the cause, and invest funds in the solution to improve their health and wellbeing.
Youth Cancer
Our You Can program addresses a gap in health care for 15-25-year olds diagnosed with cancer by funding: age-appropriate youth cancer centres in public hospitals; specialised services; research; and, accommodation for regional patients and their families.
OUR IMPACT IN FY21
3,090+
Nights of free accommodation provided
3,700+
Accessed a You Can support service or You Can Centre
20
Hospital partners across Australia
4
You Can Centres in operation
1
You Can Centre under construction
Youth Disability
Our Children’s Holiday Camp Program fills a gap for families to access free overnight respite care for their children with disability. A unique model, where primary care is delivered by high school and university students creating opportunities for social connection and fostering an inclusive culture to reduce the stigma young people with disability often face.
OUR IMPACT IN FY21
53
Partner schools and universities
230+
Children with disability enjoyed a Sony Camp*
3
New Sony Camps in Western Australia
430+
Students had an enriching experience as a carer *
50
Indigenous Australian children from the remote Fitzroy Valley accessed community engagement
* Due to COVID-19 Sony Foundation’s Children’s Holiday Camp numbers were reduced in line with Government regulations
Youth Disaster Relief
About 1 in 4 young people suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following a natural disaster in their community, but are too often overlooked in recovery efforts. Our funding will build youth spaces and establish programs to improve social connectedness and wellbeing in the communities hardest hit by the Black Summer bushfires of 2019/2020.
Our Impact in FY21
3
Bushfire grants awarded
1,900+
Youth supported
4
Youth Sanctuaries under construction
5
Communities supported
Youth Marginalisation and
Mental Health
‘Catch A Falling STAR (Special, Traumatised & At-Risk)’ program in collaboration with Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD) is an intensive and innovative music and mentoring program. Designed to bridge a gap in youth programs that empower at-risk and vulnerable youth to break negative cycles of abuse and neglect, and ultimately prevent juvenile detention.
Our Impact in FY21
90%
Of MMAD STARs reported improved self-worth
80%
Of MMAD STARs reported a positive transformation of their mental health
60%
Of MMAD STARs improved their housing situation
70%
Of MMAD STARs accessed help to further their education or employment
YOUTH HOMELESSNESS
In partnership with Youth Off The Streets (YOTS), we address the need for practical and age-appropriate social services to support homeless and disadvantaged youth across New South Wales.
Our Impact in FY21
11,600+
Meals served to people experiencing homelessness by volunteers on the YOTS Food Van
350+
Counselling hours provided to disadvantaged and vulnerable youth
110+
Hours of teacher support through the Sydney Schools Mental Health Program
1
Scholarship awarded with two years of financial and mentoring support
OUR COMMUNITIES
ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Beyond our core programs, we launched a new You Can service and partnered with youth organisations in regional areas as part of the Bushfire Recovery. These were bold projects that are already making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people.
You Can Stay provides emergency accommodation for regional youth cancer. Patients from regional and rural areas are disproportionately burdened with excessive costs for travel and accommodation, and families are often separated for long periods of time to access life-saving treatment in the city. Sony Foundation’s ‘You Can Stay’ program is a national accommodation service tailored to the needs of 15-25-year-old regional cancer patients to help alleviate the financial and emotional stress of travelling to the city for treatment.
With the You Can stay program, our family was free of the extra monetary stress and we were able to be together.
– Tahlia, 16-year-old youth cancer patient
3090+
Nights of accommodation provided at no cost
67
Youth cancer patients, and their families/carers, supported
18
Referring hospitals nationally
$7,250
The average saving in accommodation costs per patient
1/3
Youth cancer patients in Australia are from a regional or rural area
JENNA
Bathurst, NSW
Age: 19
Distance from home: 210km
Nights away from home: 150+
“You Can Stay allowed our family to remain together. I can’t imagine what it would have been like for Jenna, and all of us, not being abvle to be physically by her side. There are so many incidental costs that have come with this experience, the travel back and forth, public transport and taxis, Sydney prices for meals and coffee. To not have to worry about the accommodation has been such a relief, there are no words to describe how truly grateful we are.” - Fleur, Jenna’s Mum
MILES
Launceston, TAS
Age: 18
Distance from home: 546km
Nights away from home: 100+
“You Can Stay means Miles can have his support network close and we have a home away from home together at Quest. The sponsored room at Quest NewQuay has made a meaningful difference for our family. We can travel to get specialised care for my son without having to compromise because of accommodation costs, and ”
- Yvonne, Miles’ Mum
PROGRAM PARTNERS
Sanctuaries for youth rise from the ashes
Sony Foundation’s Black Summer Bushfire Appeal raised an incredible $770,000 thanks to the collective efforts of Sony companies both domestic and international. The Bushfire Appeal funding was shared amongst five communities severely impacted by the bushfires to build youth sanctuaries. These sanctuaries will be hubs for diversionary activities, workshops and support services to rebuild a sense of community, work through trauma, foster resilience and empower young people to have a voice as their communities rebuild.
There should always be a place like the sanctuary wherever young people live.
– Youth Member, Mallacoota Youth Group
3
Bushfire Grants Awarded
1,900+
Youth supported
4
Youth Sanctuaries under construction
5
Communities supported
PROGRAM PARTNERS
OUR PARTNERSHIPS
Sony Foundation’s Media, Corporate and Philanthropic Partners are the backbone of the Foundation, donating time, assets, skills and funds to contribute to our programs in a meaningful way.
PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS
Thank you to our Philanthropic Partners who supported Sony Foundation's You Can Stay program, and Children's Holiday Camp Program in FY21.
“Tour de Cure highly values their partnership with the Sony Foundation, and our combined efforts are able to both support Cancer patients in their treatment and support Researchers in the search for a cure. The You Can Stay program provides unparalleled support to young people going through cancer, along with their families.”
– Simon Rountree, CEO of Tour de Cure
“At Portland House Foundation we know the You Can Stay program is helping many regional patients in Victoria. Families who can be disadvantaged when accessing life-saving cancer treatment, purely because of where they live. Our grant is ensuring Youth Cancer patients who face hardships coming to the city for treatment will have a safe place to rest their head each night, with their family by their side. We congratulate Sony Foundation for bringing to life this much needed assistance."
- Paula Thompason, Portland House Foundation
The Collier Charitable Fund is a perpetual charitable trust that was established in 1954 by Alice, Annette and Edith Collier, three Melbourne sisters, as a way to continue, in perpetuity, their lifelong practice of generous support of charities and of the disadvantaged.
Since then, the Trustees of the Fund have been making grants from the Fund's income each year to many worthwhile organisations and projects in Victoria and around Australia.
A generous grant from Channel 7 Telethon Trust (Telethon) enabled Sony Foundation to launch two new Children’s Holiday Camps to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable children in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia.
- 'Children's Holiday Camp, In A Safe Place Camp' (May 2021), In partnership with Royal Far West and Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre, the Camp provided 50 Indigenous children with complex needs from the remote Fitzroy Valley region access to allied health services and specialist health care.
- 'Sony Foundation Children's Holiday Camp Broome' (October 2021), Students from Majarlin Kimberley Centre for Remote Health, at Notre Dame University and Broome Senior High School, will host the first Sony Camp in Broome, WA for 10 children with disability in the Kimberley Region.
MEDIA AND CORPORATE PARTNERS
INNOVATION
It was no ordinary year as COVID-19 continued to affect communities across Australia and impact Sony Foundation’s ability to host events throughout FY21. Sony Foundation took this opportunity to trial bold new approaches and create impactful initiatives to take us to new heights.
Sony Foundation launched Bid2Give, an online social-purpose marketplace offering extraordinary celebrity experiences and memorabilia, with proceeds from the prize raffle or auction supporting our youth programs. Throughout the year Bid2Give offered fans access to money-can’t-buy prizes from P!NK, Foo Fighters, Angus Young (AC/DC), Tones and I, Amy Shark and more!
“3DUX worked closely with Sony Foundation on the design, build and ongoing development of the website and are proud to have supported BID2GIVE’s launch into the marketplace.”
– Jeff Oliver, Partner & Managing Director, 3Dux – A Creative Agency
Thanks to our creative partners for their incredible pro bono support to get this off the ground including:
Thanks to Sky News for producing a TVC to raise awareness of Sony Foundation’s new program ‘You Can Stay’. Sky News committed to pro-bono advertising placements across the Sky News network from March 2021 compelling Australian’s nationally to donate. The initial success of the pilot TVC sparked a through-the-line campaign with additional media partners scheduled for FY22.
“Sky News Australia has been a proud supporter of the Sony Foundation’s You Can Stay campaign in 2021, helping to raise funds to support young people in their fight against cancer. Recent audience research has shown that our viewers strongly believe in the importance of giving back and we are pleased to be able to share our platforms to help Sony Foundation achieve its goals.”
– Paul Whittaker, CEO, Sky News Australia
In lieu of being able to come together in person for our annual Wharf4Ward event, Sony Foundation held our first 24-hour online fundraising appeal. A total of 14 corporate partners pledged their support and 165 donations were made online from around Australia. Over $100,000 was raised providing 1000 nights of emergency accommodation for regional youth cancer patients.
"YouTube Music is honoured to support Sony Foundation’s Wharf4Ward event and donate to support young people with cancer. Despite the event not being able to go ahead in person this year, we were proud to be a Matched Giving Sponsor of the first virtual giving day, helping to raise $100,000. Being a part of and seeing the immediate impact this has in helping families dealing with cancer is inspirational."
- YouTube Music
COLLABORATION
Our partnerships come to life when we collaborate with and engage our communities to bring about social impact. Together, we have a shared mission to provide our next generation with a healthier, more equitable future.
For the tenth year, Sony Foundation partnered with the Big Bash League’s Sydney Sixers’ squads, for the ‘Sixers Can, You Can’ campaign. Fans united to raise a record-breaking $43,000+ for youth cancer patients in regional areas. Both the men and women’s squads wore jerseys emblazoned with words of inspiration and hope from You Can Champions in a special charity match as a tribute to youth cancer patients across New South Wales. The campaign’s outcome provided over 430 nights of accommodation in the You Can Stay program for regional youth cancer patients that had to travel to the city for treatment.
Media Partner, News Corp Australia, invited Sony Foundation to be the first beneficiary of The Daily Telegraph’s Bradfield Oration event held on 13 November, 2020. Industry leaders from government, infrastructure, tourism, hospitality and entertainment gathered to discuss the future of Sydney with an address by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
A highlight of the event was the opening performance by Sony Music Artist and Sony Foundation Ambassador Guy Sebastian, with $87,000 in major donations made to Sony Foundation.
Sony Foundation’s annual charity stream ‘Gaming4Life’ partnered with Sony Interactive Entertainment and EA SPORTS in 2020. Over two weeks, FIFA fanatics played the newly launched EA SPORTS FIFA21 game and streamed to audiences on Twitch to raise funds for You Can Stay. The lineup of streamers included Sony Music artists Ruel, Montaigne, GRAACE, MAY-A, Peking Duk and a special event on the popular Twitch channel, BackPocket. The gaming industry and its fans united together and their efforts alone funded over 210 nights of accommodation for regional youth cancer patients.
4WARD EVENT SERIES
OUR PARTNERS
Sony Foundation’s Media and Corporate Partner network has been the backbone of the Foundation since its inception 20 years ago. The diversity and scale of our partners is unrivalled in this country.
See the full list here:
DIAMOND PARTNERS
