Australian Ethical has opened its community grants program for 2017, encouraging organisations working to deliver tangible benefits for people, the planet, and animals to apply.

The grants program is a core part of the company’s purpose to play a leadership role in making the world a better place. Each year the company donates 10 per cent of its after-tax profits to charitable organisations and social impact initiatives through the Australian Ethical Foundation. Since the grants program began in 2015, the company has donated more than $2 million to organisations both locally and internationally.

Commenting on the opening of the grants program, chief executive officer of Australian Ethical Investment, Phil Vernon said, “The Australian Ethical Investment Charter isn’t simply a guide for screening investments – it drives our commitment to making the world a better place and is the basis of our company culture.”

“Our community grants program provides financial support to not-for-profit organisations that contribute to humanitarian, environmental, and animal welfare efforts in Australia and abroad. It delivers on our commitment to make money do good and I strongly encourage all eligible organisations to apply,” he said.

Last year, Australian Ethical awarded $260,000 in grants to 18 charities and social businesses working on Australian and international causes. The recipients were varied and included an indigenous welfare group, marine conservationists, and an organisation protecting women from sex trafficking.

Enterprise Learning Projects (ELP), a social enterprise that supports remote Aboriginal people with exploring, developing, and growing their business ideas, received two $20,000 grants in 2016. These grants assisted with two separate initiatives – one to establish an op shop run by the Tramalla Women’s Group, and another to set up Speargrass Bike Tours, co-created by Indigenous youth in the Katherine region.

Commenting on the impact of the grant, Founder and CEO of ELP, Laura Egan, said, “We’re thrilled to have the Ethical Super community join us in fostering grassroots enterprise in remote Australia. The Aboriginal communities we partner with are bursting to share their stories and their culture with wider Australia and the world. These grants will enable us to support them to do this through the creation of sustainable ventures.”

Organisations can apply online for the grant here. Submissions close on Wednesday 31 May 2017.