british american tobacco australia - Corporate social investment

British American Tobacco recognises the role of business as a corporate citizen, and its companies have long supported local community and charitable projects.

It believes in adding value to the communities in which it operates. This is a core belief supporting the Group's business principle of mutual benefit, the basis on which it builds relationships with its stakeholders.

Our involvement in the community is driven by this core belief and demonstrates our desire to play an active role in helping societies achieve a sustainable balance of economic growth, environmental protection and social progress.

'Making a Difference'

Since 2001, we have gradually moved towards a programme of social investment focusing on enhanced community partnerships, environmental stewardship and employee involvement. In 2003, we launched the ‘Making a Difference’ programme which further consolidates and facilitates the three focus areas identified in 2001, while allowing for an element of ad-hoc charitable contributions, still needed in the community.

‘Making a Difference’ combines three core components:

Partnerships

The programme aims to create long term sustainability through the development of ongoing partnerships with two nationally recognised non-government organisations, working in the areas of social welfare – Mission Australia - and environmental conservation – Conservation Volunteers Australia.

Both of these charities receive an annual contribution from British American Tobacco Australia to support specific predetermined programmes and activities. Given the potential sensitivity surrounding tobacco, our involvement with Mission Australia focuses purely on its adult services such as homeless and aged care services.

We have also continued to support the Botany Bay Business Enterprise Centre in its efforts to support small and medium sized businesses in our immediate community. Through this focus, we believe we are aligned with the three global themes of:

• Empowerment through creating opportunities for the disadvantaged;
• Sustainable agriculture including biodiversity and conservation work;
• Civic life through support for local businesses

Contributions

Our Workplace Giving Programme allows employees of British American Tobacco Australia to make regular donations direct from their pre-tax pay to their choice of eight employee-nominated charities who do important work on welfare issues, the environment, family and youth development and disability support.

These charities are: Mission Australia, Conservation Volunteers Australia, The Surf Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, Lifeline, Northcott, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Barnardos and ACT for Kids.

In 2009, approximately 20% of British American Tobacco Australia employees chose to make a difference through our Workplace Giving Programme. In support of our employees who choose to make a difference to the community either through payroll contributions or through approved on-site fundraising programmes, British American Tobacco Australia has committed to match all contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

This matching contribution is made to a Community Benefit Fund, managed by employees through the Community Champions Team.

All proceeds to the fund are distributed to our Workplace Giving Programme charity partners in response to appeals for project funding as well as to various other ad-hoc requests for contributions from charitable organisations.

The Community Benefit Fund is administered within the parameters set by our Community Involvement Guidelines which outline the criteria for community organisations to receive charitable support from British American Tobacco Australia.

- Download our community involvement guidelines (143 kb) .

If your organisation is involved in one of the areas outlined in the guidelines above and you are interested in applying for a donation please complete the online donation request form.

Volunteering

We provide all our employees one day’s paid leave and flexible working arrangements to enable them to participate in volunteer work.