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COVID-19
Impact of our donors

Unprecedented staff generosity as UNSW community tackles COVID-19 as one

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In little more than a week, UNSW staff have contributed more than $415,000 towards students and fellow staff facing unforeseen hardship owing to the pandemic’s economic fallout.

This most recent wave of staff generosity follows an announcement on 21 April that UNSW Philanthropy had launched a two-part fundraising effort in support of the University’s critical work to tackle the impacts of COVID-19. This includes extending a critical lifeline to those in our community doing it toughest, and offering support to colleagues undertaking vital research that will derive material solutions for everyone’s benefit.

Following this announcement, 40 members of staff made one-off gifts, another 20 signed up for regular donations from their fortnightly salary, while a further group of staff with existing workplace giving arrangements increased their donations to support these new initiatives.

“This significant benevolent response – at a time when many staff are themselves contending with challenges arising from this crisis within their own family, friendship circle or neighbourhood – attests to the strong sense of community that UNSW staff embrace across all our campuses,” says Jon Paparsenos, Vice-President, UNSW Philanthropy.

UNSW staff share a proud legacy of making a difference in areas critical to the future, made possible by the UNSW Staff Giving program which allows staff to donate to the philanthropic initiatives that are significant to them through automated, pre-tax payroll deductions.

Mr Paparsenos

UNSW’s widespread generosity has been bolstered by a number of senior University leaders who are further supporting UNSW’s lifesaving, rapid response research, and urgent aid for both domestic and international students and staff. This includes over $235,000 for the Staff Benevolent Fund alone, which is providing essential financial support to those in critical need, such as resident academics with no support net.

Notably, the Chancellor, David Gonski, and President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Jacobs, generously kickstarted the Student Emergency Response Fund to ensure that no student’s academic opportunity is limited by financial circumstances beyond their control.

In parallel, the University’s Rapid Response Research Fund is awarding much-needed grants to support research by UNSW experts in 12 areas, from boosting the immunity of our elderly and vulnerable citizens through medical innovation, to fast-tracking the manufacture of critical healthcare supplies to our frontline medical workers.

Without doubt, the generous contribution of our staff towards the sustained wellbeing and productivity of our community is a true demonstration of our University’s philanthropic culture, which I am proud to be a part of.

Mr Paparsenos

As a staff donor you can make a real difference in the area you care about and be confident that 100% of your gift will go to your fund of choice. Join the UNSW staff donor community today to support the initiatives that matter most to you.

For more information, please contact giving@unsw.edu.au or call 02 8936 4729.

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