AMP Foundation announces A$1 million in AMP Tomorrow Fund grants to 27 Australians who, despite a challenging year, have made inspiring and meaningful contributions towards addressing some of the country’s most significant community issues.

The 2021 recipients, known as AMP Tomorrow Makers, are aged between 13 and 65 and are tackling a range of challenges and opportunities, including rural food security, children’s mental health, youth justice, female economic participation and Indigenous language preservation.

Established in 2014, the AMP Foundation has so far provided A$8 million in grants to more than 330 talented Australians working across a range of fields, including science, social innovation, sports, technology, arts, health and education.

Head of AMP Foundation Helen Liondos commented said “This year the popular grants program attracted many high achievers who worked steadfastly to create positive change, despite all that 2021 threw at them.

“Every year we are amazed by the level of talented and enterprising people this program reveals, and 2021 has not disappointed. This year’s recipients are extraordinary individuals, with huge reserves of optimism and resilience in equal measure. They include 10 social innovators who are coming up with smart responses to some of our society’s biggest challenges.

“Around two-thirds of our winners are female, which reflects the higher rate of women we’ve seen applying to be Tomorrow Makers over the past three years. Three of our Tomorrow Makers are working on projects designed to strengthen First Nations communities, four are scientists aiming to solve big challenges and seven are addressing health issues.

“Our Foundation has drawn a lot of inspiration from all 27 recipients, and we know the community will too.”

The 2021 AMP Tomorrow Makers include:

• Vanessa Farrelly: Pertame Southern Arrernte leader who runs a Batchelor Institute project in Alice Springs (Mparntwe) to revive the language of her people.
• Rebecca Glenn: Sydney-based charity founder who is increasing understanding of economic abuse through a designated awareness day, while advocating for structural and systems change.
• Thomas Fiedler: Newcastle-based materials scientist who is creating a wetsuit with strategically placed fibre-reinforced material to protect surfers in the event of a shark attack.
• Ruby Pandher: Children’s Cancer Institute researcher using a mass spectrometry platform to develop a blood test, in place of a biopsy, to determine how aggressive a childhood tumour is.
• Alicia Kennedy: Geelong vet working to embed vet social workers into practices and educate vets on how to help vulnerable Australians provide the best health care for their animal companions.For the full list of 2021 Tomorrow Makers, as well as profiles and videos, visit ampstomorrowfund.com.au

AMP’s Tomorrow Fund is an initiative of the AMP Foundation, which is AMP’s philanthropic arm. The annual grants program aims to support determined individuals who are working hard on a project that will benefit the community but need help to take it to the next level.

Each year, AMP’s Tomorrow Fund awards grants of up to A$100,000 for a wide range of activities, including training, travel costs, living expenses, research or small business costs. So far, 334 grants have been awarded.