2014ANNUAL REPORT

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WELCOME: From our Board Chair

AT A GLANCE: 2014 highlights

BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES: Our strategy and approach

CHANGING LIVES: The impact of our work

CREATING CHANGE: -Our impact partners -Our identity and influence

-Our income and enablers

GOVERNANCE: Our Board

AUSTRALIA UNITED: Our affiliates

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19FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Our position and performance21

25,000 BOOKS delivered

provided with training and support that increased their skills to transition

successfully to work or further study.

1,361 VOLUNTEERS lent a helping

hand

2014 was a year for building

THANK YOU!

READY TO READ Our early literacy achievements:

THOUSANDS of people came

together to create lasting change.

Children received books and literacy resources.3,500

More communities opened their own Imagination Libraries.

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Community events held, engaging more than 1000 people.

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He’s learning, he’s saying ‘what’s that word, mum?’ He’s going to school next year and he’s trying to read with me. I love trying to teach him.

Parent, Ready to Read program.

AT A GLANCE: 2014 HIGHLIGHTSWHAT A YEAR!

Volunteer hours were donated, helping:2,854people experiencing social and economic disadvantage.

5,886

It taught me that if I really love my job I can be in it for a long time, and that you should push yourself to do your very best. Year 10 Student, Transition to Work program

I like being part of a team where we all share the same vision to help people achieve their human potential and know I’m part of positive change in the community.

A great example of how we can all Live United!

Elsy, United Way Office Volunteer.

United Way envisages a world where all individuals and families achieve their human potential.

That i s , we ask peop le to

We mobilise the people and organisations that bring the passion, expertise, and resources needed to

We work to advance the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for everyone.

OUR MISSION

OUR VISION

VOLUNTEER.

GIVE. ADVOCATE.

GET THINGS DONE.

571 STUDENTS

STRONGER COMMUNITIES

A BRIGHTER FUTURE for thousands of children and young people. And we couldn’t have done it without your support.

and paving the way to

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As a result, children are now almost TWICE as likely to ask to be read to on a daily basis.

None of this could have been achieved without our dedicated partners, who played a critical role in providing us with the funding, volunteers and expertise needed to help make our community initiatives a success.

We especially thank our Community Impact Leaders, Fuji Xerox Australia, Genworth, and ING DIRECT, as well as our Regional Councils and volunteers for their contribution to creating change across the country.

We experienced some changes in our Board membership during the year, which saw the departure of Tom Adams, Michael Cowling, Tom Brigstocke and Tami Harriott. In addition, our CEO for the past six years, Doug Taylor, resigned at the end of 2014. We would like to thank Doug and our Board for their excellent leadership and guidance.

2014 was in many ways a year of firsts. The first full year of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL); the launch of our corporate collaboration in Macquarie Park; the start of an innovative Collective Impact initiative in Mount Druitt and the creation of our first Financial Literacy program.

We achieved sound growth in our Ready to Read and DPIL initiatives, ensuring more children start school ready to learn. By year’s end we were supporting early literacy in 14 communities and had delivered more than 25,000 books to 3,500 children, the impact of which has been resounding. As a result of our Ready to Read program, children were almost twice as likely to ask to be read to daily, while their parent’s daily reading activities also increased. In addition to improving children’s early literacy and readiness for school, parents told us that the DPIL books are also having a positive impact on family dynamics.

A big thank you to our early literacy partners – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Penguin Books Australia, Rotary International, the Dollywood Foundation, Paint the Town REaD, and to the numerous service providers we work with.

HIGHLIGHTS

WELCOME FROM OURBOARD CHAIR

We supported young Australians across five high schools as part of our Ready to Succeed program, helping more than 571 students to successfully transition from school to work or further study. We also trialled a new, holistic approach to tacking youth unemployment, completing a pilot in James Meehan High School that engaged teachers, parents, and the business community in better meeting the needs of students.

As part of our growth strategy, we also began diversifying our income, securing funding from the Queensland and Victorian governments for our Ready to Read program, and established close relationships with 13 new corporates. We received interest from government, philanthropic and non-profit organisations in developing Collective Impact programs, which is strongly aligned with United Way’s strength in mobilising corporates, government and local communities to tackle long-term disadvantage.

In 2014 we became a founding partner of a Collective Impact initiative in Mount Druitt, and in Macquarie Park we launched Australia’s first ‘business-park approach’ to help young people reach their full potential. It’s the first of its kind in Australia, with Johnson & Johnson Medical, Macquarie Telecom and Fuji Xerox Australia leading the collaboration to support their local community.

We hosted events for a range of international guests including Rich Harwood, David Dotson, Mei Cobb and Bill Crim, bringing international learnings and debate to advance Collective Impact practice in Australia. We also welcomed Dolly Parton, who chose the start of her national tour to officially launch her Imagination Library in Australia.

With the systems and processes now in place to grow our early literacy, youth unemployment and Collective Impact initiatives, a key goal for 2015 is to extend these to more communities. Expanding Ready to Read to three new targeted communities will be a key focus for us in 2015, along with working within a Collective Impact framework to dramatically improve the life opportunities for children experiencing chronic disadvantage in Mount Druitt.

We will seek to further broaden our funding base, working closely with major donors, trusts and foundations and new corporate partners. We will also continue to strengthen our internal processes and systems, ensuring staff have the tools and resources needed to achieve their goals.

The past year has proven how great an impact we can make when we work together to create community change. With a stronger organisation and the support of our partners, we are well positioned to deliver on our ambitious goals to improve lives in disadvantaged communities across Australia.

Brian Long Board Chair, United Way Australia

LOOKING FORWARDWith our new team and structure in place, 2014 represented the first full year of implementing our new approach to creating change in people’s lives.

From helping thousands of children develop the early literacy skills needed to succeed in school and in life to supporting local businesses to drive positive social change, it’s been a year of building stronger relationships, programs, and communities.

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ING DIRECT has partnered with United Way for over seven years. Over that time our staff have been introduced to a myriad of social issues in our local community via a range of well organised volunteer activities. Our staff have built a greater understanding and empathy for those in need in our community and have had an opportunity to use their skills and expertise to effect positive change. United Way has always sought to partner with us with the intention of creating shared value: achieving meaningful social outcomes whilst also meeting our business objectives – a great basis for a successful corporate/community partnership.

Shannon Carruth, Manager, Sustainability and Community Impact, ING DIRECT

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BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES

OUR STRATEGY Our work in 2014 was driven by our ‘cradle to career’ impact strategy, ReadLearnSucceed, designed to give children and young people in disadvantaged communities the skills and resources to reach their full potential. Focusing on the critical points in life where being left behind can have far-reaching consequences, ReadLearnSucceed promotes early interventions to improve school preparedness, literacy and readiness for work.

2014 saw us expand our program that ensures more children start school ready to learn, and trial our program to help young people in low socio-economic areas successfully transition from school to work or further education. Over the coming years we will continue to grow and improve our programs to achieve large-scale impact in hundreds of communities.

OUR GOALSHalve the percentage of children starting school language vulnerable in 236 communities by 2018.

Halve the percentage of unemployed 15-19-year-olds in our communities by 2021.

Mobilise the community in Mount Druitt to improve life opportunities for 0-8-year-olds.

EXPAND OUR INFLUENCE

OUR APPROACHRecognising the highly complex and interconnected nature of many of the social issues facing Australia today, our approach to building stronger communities is informed by the twin pillars of Community and Collective Impact.

Through Community Impact, we aim to change the community conditions – including the attitudes, service gaps, policies, relationships and skills – that contribute to social and economic disadvantage.

It involves turning outwards to listen to and work with communities to identify issues and goals, and mobilising key stakeholders to work together to improve lives.

Our Collective Impact work is similarly based on a structured framework, successfully applied within communities in the USA to achieve large-scale, long-term social change.

These approaches enable us to harness the time, treasure and talent of businesses, government, community organisations, individuals and others to achieve the greatest possible impact in disadvantaged communities.

BUILD OURIDENTITY

ACHIEVE GREATER IMPACT

GROW OUR INCOME

ENABLE OUR STAFF

Model successful Community Impact practices, leading to sector-wide improvements and support for our initiatives.

Be recognised locally and globally as source of good practice, and the partner of choice for institutions committed to Community Impact.

Increase public awareness of United Way Australia’s mission and impact.

Inspire more individuals and businesses to GIVE, ADVOCATE and VOLUNTEER.

Develop a sustainable and scalable resource base from diversified sources to fully fund our operations.

Create and foster new partnerships and products, securing financial reserves for future sustainability.

Ensure we have the systems and tools to carry out our work effectively.

Support a positive workplace culture that fully engages at least 85% of staff.

READ Supporting children to start school with the basic literacy needed to:

LEARN in school, and gain the skills and networks needed to transition to work and:

SUCCEED in life, achieving better health, income and educational outcomes.

READLEARNSUCCEED: A focused strategy applying

a ‘cradle to career’ continuum.

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Now in its second year, our Ready to Read program aims to halve the percentage of children in 236 communities starting school developmentally vulnerable in the language domain by 2018. Integrating global best practice to target children in low socioeconomic status communities, we are working to ensure parents and carers have both the skills and resources to read regularly with their children, by:

Providing children with free monthly books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Providing parents and carers with tips, resources and opportunities to increase shared reading skills.

Building coalitions with local groups, businesses, government and service providers to develop a love of reading across the community.

READY TO READ

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In 2014 our first evaluation of the program revealed promising early indicators, with:

OUR IMPACT

The role of early literacy development in changing lives cannot be underestimated.

Poor adult literacy is linked to high unemployment, lower earnings, low self-esteem, high rates of welfare dependency and substance abuse. With one in five Australian children – more in disadvantaged communities – starting school without the basics they need to learn and keep up with their peers, the situation is now critical.

Early interventions that support parents to build their children’s literacy skills before they commence school are the most effective way of improving reading levels. That’s why United Way is investing in range of early literacy programs and activities to give more children in disadvantaged communities the chance to succeed in life.

IMPROVING EARLY LITERACY

were established, with DPIL’s now being supported in a total of 14 communities.

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77% 40%.

Before joining United Way’s early literacy program, 3-year-old Shafa wasn’t really interested in books, and her mum Hali lacked the English ability and confidence to read to her. Now, Shafa can’t wait for the new books to arrive each month, while the regular tips and resources Hali receives are giving her the skills and encouragement to read regularly with her children.

For us, there is changing with Shafa. She’s using her imagination, she’s got more vocabulary. I know that she picks up all the words from the books. Now she knows a lot of things.

Because there are so many books now on our bookshelf, my son just wants to read more!

Parent, Dolly Parton’s Imagincation Library

Establish three new Ready to Read communities, engaging at least 48% of children in our program.

Develop early literacy programs with United Way affiliates in a further four communities.

Implement e-learning resources to enhance literacy and learning.

United Way brought Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) to Australia in 2014 as part of our broader Ready to Read program. Based on research that shows the more books in the home, the better the educational outcomes for children, the Imagination Library plays a critical role in providing quality, age-appropriate books to families that might not otherwise be able to afford them.

The program delivers free books and reading resources to children from birth to five, and can be run by any community group or business able to raise the modest funds required. As a community-run venture supported by United Way, DPIL can be replicated at scale to achieve significant impact, and has already reached more than one million children globally.

Expand DPIL, supporting libraries in 40 communities to provide free books and resources to at least 5,000 children.

Establish DPIL as a complementary program for existing NGO programs.

Develop and support a community of practice to improve effectiveness.

Recognising symbols on the pages as letters.

Recognising shapes, colours, animals and people in the illustrations!

Basic counting ability.

Hali and Shafa, Doveton VIC

2015-2016 OBJECTIVES & OPPORTUNITIES

DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY

2015-2016 OBJECTIVES & OPPORTUNITIES

WHAT ARE EARLY LITERACY SKILLS? Knowing how to hold a book and

turn the pages.

OUR IMPACT25,000 BOOKS

3,500 CHILDREN

and montly tip sheets were delivered to:

6 NEW LIBRARIES

and their parents/carers.

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Part of our Transition to Work program, mock interviews not only help give students skills and confidence to assist them in gaining employment, they provide a great way for local businesses to give back to their community.

Helping a group of Year 10 high school students go through a mock job interview process was a refreshing learning experience for me as much as for the students we interviewed. We gave each of them guidance and assistance in realising that they could present and perform in a process to seek a job.

It was rewarding to see how they responded so positively and hopefully went away with renewed confidence in their ability to do so in future.

Mike Davis, Nikko AM

It’s provided me with something that businesses can understand - they can easily see where they can add value and support the

four capability areas (wellbeing, literacy &

numeracy, connections to work and teacher acumen).

School Principal

Work experience has inspired me and I’m excited about getting

a paid job.

Student

My life is easier – I know what I need to do to be successful and this gives me peace of mind and confidence. Student

A four-year program, Transition to Work engages the business community to provide students with access to real-life work experiences and opportunities.

These activities reinforce the value of study to their future career prospects, as well as providing positive work experiences, helping to increase students’ continuation to year 12, as well as their knowledge about career options.

With three of our five school partners across Victoria and New South Wales now having graduated the program with flying colours, United Way will continue to support activities in two remaining schools, and work to integrate the learnings and activities into our new Ready to Succeed model.

across five schools with the skills and knowledge to successfully transition to work or further study; through:

In 2014, the program provided:

TRANSITION TO WORK

OUR IMPACT

that built skills and provided work-experience, including: > Work Readiness > Speed Careering > Mock Interviews

2015-2016 OBJECTIVES & OPPORTUNITIES

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571 STUDENTS

14 EVENTS

One in five 15 to 19-year-olds are out of work – more than triple Australia’s national unemployment rate.

Many of these young people come from families already facing socio-economic disadvantage, and have often left school without the basic skills, knowledge or networks to be able to succeed in life. Research shows that those who complete schooling to year 12 have a much greater chance of gaining well-paid, meaningful employment and better lifelong social and health outcomes. However, existing interventions have had little impact on school dropout rates or the take-up of further education and training.

United Way is responding by taking a ‘big picture’ approach to address the underlying causes of youth unemployment in communities facing disadvantage.

YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

2014 was the pilot year for our Ready to Succeed program at James Meehan High School, aiming to address a number of significant issues facing students as they transition from school to work or further study.

Developed by a coalition of senior education, business and non-profit leaders, facilitated by United Way Australia, the program is informed by the learnings of our existing ‘Transition to Work’ activities across five schools in New South Wales and Victoria.

Aiming to halve the percentage of unemployed 15- to 19-year olds in targeted communities by 2021, Ready to Succeed offers pathways to future study or work for Year 9-12 students at risk of ‘dropping out’.

It supports the community to take a holistic approach to the education, health, welfare and financial needs of

Implement the Ready to Succeed holistic model in two further schools, demonstrating its success as a model for scaling.

Develop and trial six career skills-building modules across five schools.

young people, while giving students the opportunity to build critical skills through a range of mentoring and training activities.

The results of the pilot are not yet available, but a review will be undertaken in 2015 to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and potentially roll it out to another two schools.

CHANGING LIVES:THE IMPACT OF OUR WORK

READY TO SUCCEED

2015-2016 OBJECTIVES & OPPORTUNITIES

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All children deserve the chance to reach their full potential. But across Mount Druitt, thousands are being denied this opportunity.

Nearly one in three children live in a jobless family – almost twice the state average – and only one in five residents has completed high school. While many services have improved individual children and families’ lives, the overall outcomes for children in Mount Druitt have not improved. Clearly, a new approach is needed.

THE CHANCE TO THRIVE IN MOUNT DRUITT

In 2014, United Way Australia and the ten20 Foundation became founding partners in an initiative called ‘The Hive’.

With funding and support from NSW Family and Community Services, it’s an approach that enables the Mount Druitt community to work collaboratively alongside services, government and business to better support young people to achieve their full potential.

In 2014 we established the program’s ‘backbone infrastructure’, confirming the need for genuine collaboration, funding, premises, and in-kind support.

We also interviewed more than 100 individuals from the local community and 50 different organisations, who shared their aspirations and challenges.

Want their children to have the opportunity to achieve their dreams.

Find navigating the service system difficult. Want to contribute to their community.

Are passionate about the clients they serve.

See a need to better coordinate local services.

Having garnered strong local buy-in, we will support The Hive’s implementation, through:

Continuing to build networks and relationships with community members.

Working with the community and other stakeholders to identify local priorities.

Developing collaborative initiatives in at least two priority areas: school readiness and a child-friendly community.

2015-2016 OBJECTIVES AND OPPORTUNITIESOUR IMPACT

COLLECTIVE IMPACT: ‘THE HIVE’ PARENTS TOLD US THEY:

SERVICE PROVIDERS TOLD US THEY:

In 2014 we partnered with more than 40 businesses – large and small – to give more than 9000 disadvantaged children and families the chance to reach their full potential.Not only did these partners demonstrate a commitment to achieving lasting change, they made our work possible. Here’s just a snapshot of the incredible support we received:

GIVING THE GIFT OF READINGMore than 15 businesses helped to fund our vital early literacy programs through participating in our Gift of Reading Christmas appeal. Special thanks to Macquarie Telecom, Fuji Xerox Australia and Norton Rose Fullbright, the appeal’s biggest supporters.

SUPPORTING YOUTHMany businesses stepped up to tackle the issue of youth unemployment, including ING DIRECT, who helped at-risk youth to build financial literacy skills, and Genworth and Fuji Xerox Australia, who made significant contributions to our Transition to Work program.

BUILDING EARLY LITERACYDelivering more than 25,000 books and reading resources wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Penguin Books Australia, who along with our key Ready to Read program partners Rotary, Fuji Xerox Australia, Macquarie Telecom and Exxon, helped give children from disadvantaged communities a better start in life.

INVESTING IN CHANGEWe continue to be grateful to Rodgers Reidy, Amgen, Vanguard, Colliers International, Gadens Lawyers and Boeing, for providing invaluable support across the spectrum our work. In 2014, we were also thrilled to develop new partnerships with Nikko AM, Jones Day, McCormicks, Johnson & Johnson Medical, General Mills, Future Generation Investment Company and Macquarie University Hospital.

LENDING A HANDMore than 1,361 employees volunteered their time and energy in support of vulnerable communities last year, with dedicated staff from AMP, Commonwealth Bank Australia, AIA Australia, and EMC among the many who rolled up their sleeves to make a direct difference.

OUR COMMUNITY IMPACT LEADERS

OUR COMMUNITY IMPACT PARTNERS

AMGENAMPGADENS LAWYERSJOHNSON & JOHNSON

MEDICALMACQUARIE TELECOMPENGUIN BOOKS AUSTRALIARODGERS REIDYTHE DOLLYWOOD

FOUNDATIONVANGUARD

OUR SUPPORTERS AIA AUSTRALIABOEINGCOLLIERS INTERNATIONALCOMMONWEALTH BANK AUSTRALIAEMCEXXONMOBILFUTURE GENERATION

INVESTMENT COMPANYGENERAL MILLSKEY PHARMACEUTICALS MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALMCCORMICKSNIKKO AMNORTON ROSE FULLBRIGHT

OUR PRO-BONO PARTNERS

DELOITTE

ERNST & YOUNG

HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS

IT NEXT GENERATION

JONES DAY

MCCANN

WEBER SHANDWICK

CREATING CHANGE OUR IMPACT PARTNERS

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Develop a tailored communications strategy to keep our supporters informed and engaged.

Set measureable targets to build our brand profile.

Expand our reach through our redeveloped website, social media, campaigns, public relations, global network and other channels.

Yet as part of a worldwide network, we have access to global best practice in Community and Collective Impact to draw upon, in addition to on-the-ground experience working with disadvantaged communities.

Add this to our mobilisation mission and extensive cross-sectoral relationships including global partnerships with 280 of the Fortune 500 companies, and we’re in a strong position to influence the way non-profits, government, businesses and the community work together to achieve social change.

In Australia, Collective Impact is already garnering interest, particularly in the government sector.In 2014 United Way Australia began building and consolidating our standing as a leader in this approach, sharing our global and local experience, research, and best practise.

Effecting change in Australia that’s disproportionately greater than our modest size and income is a key challenge for United Way Australia.

Contributed expertise as part of more than 50 forums in Australia and New Zealand.

Facilitate, influence and improve the sectoral practice of Collective Impact in our region

Delivered 12 presentations to State and Commonwealth Governments, building new strategic relationships to effect greater change.

Influence key stakeholders to improve their policy and practice

Represented at all levels of United Way management and decision-making, with regular meetings with local and regional partners, to whom we also provided strategic support and advice.

Be an active citizen in regional and worldwide United Way networks

2015-2016 OBJECTIVES & OPPORTUNITIES Continue to provide thought-leadership and expertise

around Collective Impact to the sector.

Bring global best-practice methodology and programs to Australia.

Demonstrate and advocate on the success of our Community and Collective Impact programs and strategies.

EXPANDING OUR INFLUENCE OUR IMPACT

In February 2014, Dolly Parton chose the start of her national tour to officially launch her Imagination Library in Australia.

Her numerous media and community speaking engagements helped to raise awareness about the importance of early literacy and United Way’s work.

2015-2016 OBJECTIVES & OPPORTUNITIES

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The past year saw us focus on building and consolidating the skilled staff needed to deliver on our mission, including improving our communications with stakeholders.

We also invested in capturing the personal stories of families whose lives have been changed through our work, to better share the impact of our programs with those who’ve helped make change possible.

In the coming year, we aim to continue to increase both awareness and support for our work.

CREATING CHANGE: OUR IDENTITY AND INFLUENCE

During 2014 United Way Australia continued its transition from a fundraising organisation providing grants to community organisations, to being a pioneer of Collective and Community Impact in Australia, playing a unique role in bringing government, community organisations, businesses and individuals together to overcome social issues.

Our task is now to build greater awareness of our approach and impacts, and to inspire more individuals and businesses to join with us in creating change.

BUILDING OUR IDENTITY

Creating lasting change in communities requires significant and ongoing investment. That’s why a key internal focus for United Way Australia has been on diversifying and growing our income base, to continue to fund our life-changing programs and expand them to new communities. We’re also investing in our people, ensuring staff have the structures, systems and support they need to achieve their goals.

I was interested in working for United Way because I wanted to be part of an organisation that galvanises the community to create social change.

When a mother tells you that our program has had a positive impact on her whole family, it reinforces to me why we do what we do.

Rebecca Blayney, Community Impact Coordinator, Queensland.

Internally, United Way Australia’s focus is on building the right culture, capacity and capability to deliver our Community Impact objectives, and the right staff, relationships and products to secure financial support for our work.

In 2014 we made significant progress in these areas, with the completion of our organisational restructure delivering the team and structure needed to meet our strategic goals. We improved our business planning and annual review processes, and initiated an annual staff engagement evaluation to ensure our workplace culture encourages high performance.

Our first staff engagement evaluation found that while staff were very confident in the organisation’s mission, strategy, and leadership, further work could be done to improve opportunities for staff development and cross-collaboration. We have already made some changes to improve in these areas and will continue this work in 2015.

OUR ENABLERS

In 2014, Rodgers Reidy completed a major renovation of the office space that houses our national team in Sydney pro bono. Our team were thrilled with the results, and are grateful for such a fantastic space to work.

Thank you Rodgers Reidy!

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CREATING CHANGE: OUR INCOME AND ENABLERS

- Roll out our new Customer Relationship Database and improve our Information Management systems to communicate with staff, partners and supporters.

Ensure we have the systems in place to support our work

- Model our organisational values in our work, and conduct regular staff engagement surveys.

- Improve communication and engagement of staff across all of our work and around the strategic goals.

Strengthen our organisational culture

- Create meaningful staff development plans, and review and refine staff remuneration.

- Share pro bono development opportunities more widely across the team.

Improve employee performance and value proposition

2015-16 OBJECTIVES AND OPPORTUNITIES

- Review and renew the United Way Board and Councils by clarifying roles and responsibilities within our governance structure and strategic requirements.

Human Resources and Governance

Upgrade office facilities

- Relocate the United Way Melbourne team to fit-for-purpose offices.

In 2014 we made significant progress in diversifying our revenue sources and building solid foundations for future growth, including:

Receiving our first Government funding, allowing us to start new initiatives in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.

Engaging 13 new corporate partners, helping us to expand our volunteering, workplace fundraising and corporate giving activities.

Expanding the Gift of Reading – our Christmas workplace fundraising campaign – increasing donations by 28%.

Launching the Kids’ Book Club, a new regular giving program that gives supporters the opportunity to help children in disadvantaged communities, while delivering a quality book each month for their own child.

Commencing the implementation of a customer relationship management system to help us more effectively monitor fundraising performance, better communicate with our donors, and reduce our administrative costs.

OUR INCOMEIn total, we raised over $3.1M. $1.1M of this was through our Donations Fund, which primarily collects income through our Charity of Choice payroll program, and redistributes these funds to the donor’s preferred charity. The remaining $2M funded United Way Australia’s core operations, helping children and youth in disadvantaged communities.

In 2015 we aim to increase our income by over 15%, with the focus on growing our Operations Fund to expand our programs.

2015-2016 OBJECTIVES & OPPORTUNITIESProtect and grow existing revenue streams

- Offer Corporate Partners the opportunity to be involved in volunteer opportunities aligned to our work.

- Ensure supporters are offered a full range of opportunities to help deliver United Way’s mission, and test new methods of engagement.

Acquire new and diversified income sources- Further strengthen our partnerships with Trusts, Government, Foundations and prospective donors.

- Continue testing new ways to engage the public in supporting our work.

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Providing organisational governance and leadership, United Way Australia’s Board is the custodian of United Way’s brand in Australia. We also contribute leadership to the Regional Councils in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, as well as to Affiliated Boards in South Australia, Glenelg, Ballarat and West Australia. Board members play an active role in ensuring the effectiveness of our operations, with sub-committees in the areas of finance, risk, performance, and remuneration.

Appointed/Elected: September 2010 Meeting attendance: 6/6 Responsibilities: Board Chair, Governance.

TOM ADAMS TOM BRIGSTOCKE

MARTIN J COWLING LIZ DIBBS DENISE BROTHERTON

TAMI HARRIOTT PHILIP HOSERSTACEY GROSE

RICHARD SHARPE GEOFF VOGT DOUG TAYLOR

FCA

Appointed/Elected: June 2012 Retired: December 2014 Meeting attendance: 3/6 Additional responsibilities: Audit and Finance Committee Member.

Executive Director Finance and Business Services for Alcoa of Australia Ltd; Former Chair of United Way West Australia.

GAICD

Appointed/Elected: May 2012 Retired: May 2014 Meeting attendance: 2/2 Managing Director of Principals Pty Ltd; Member of the board of directors of Imaging Partners Online Ltd and Winifred West Schools Ltd; Formerly a director of United Way Sydney for 9 years.

Appointed/Elected: July 2010 Meeting attendance: 4/6 Additional responsibilities: Audit and Finance Committee Member.

Partner at Ernst and Young; Chair of the United Way Melbourne Council.

BEc, CPA, MTax

Appointed/Elected: December 2012 Retired: November 2014 Meeting attendance: 4/5 Assistant Secretary, Indigenous Employment and Training at Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

BA, Grad Dip (HRM), Grad Dip (AdultEd)

Appointed/Elected: May 2012 Meeting attendance: 6/6 Additional responsibilities: Performance and Nominations Committee Member.

Corporate Lawyer; Council Member and Chair of the Scholarships Committee of Chief Executive Women; Director University of Western Sydney; United Way Sydney Council Member.LLB, BA, M (Laws)

Appointed/Elected: May 2011 Meeting attendance: 4/6 Additional responsibilities: Secretary.

Director and Commercial Lawyer, BJT Legal; Chair of United Way Ballarat; Chair of the Ballarat Foundation.

LLB, BA

Appointed/Elected: May 2011 Retired: May 2014 Meeting attendance: 1/2 Additional responsibilities: Audit and Finance Committee member.

Non-executive Director National Foundation for Women Australia.

BA, MS, MBA, GAICD BA (Law), MA (Cantab)

Appointed/Elected: July 2008 Meeting attendance: 4/6

Partner at Jones Day; Chair of the United Way Sydney Council.

B Min, BA (Hons), Grad Cert (Management)

Appointed/Elected: December 2012 Meeting attendance: 6/6 Responsibilities: Governance, Operational Management, Audit and Finance Committee member.

CEO United Way Australia; Board Member of the School for Social Entrepreneurs.

JP, CPA, FAICD

Appointed/Elected: May 2011 Meeting attendance: 4/6 Director Sharpe Bros; Director United Way Central Coast Community Chest; Councillor CPA Australia; Assistant Governor Rotary International.

Appointed/Elected: July 2010 Meeting attendance: 6/6 Additional responsibilities: Audit and Finance Committee Member, Performance and Nominations Committee Member.

BEc, FAICD, FCSA, FCPA, ANZIIF (Assoc), CFTP, SF FIN, RFD, FGIA

Member of the Board of Directors of Commonwealth Bank of Australia; Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ten Network Holdings Limited; Member of the Council of the University of NSW, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Brambles Limited.

CEO, Industry Leaders Fund Inc, Director Key Invest, Director Centennial Park, Deputy to Chairman of Education and Early Childhood Services Registration and Standards Board of SA.

GOVERNANCE: OUR BOARD

BRIAN LONG

Across Australia, United Way Affiliates are continuing to create real impact at the local level. Here is just a snapshot of their incredible achievements in mobilising individuals and businesses to work together to better care for their communities during 2014.

For 31 years, United Way Ballarat has been harnessing the caring power of community, and is today a thriving not-for-profit incorporating the Ballarat Community Fund, Volunteering Ballarat, Ballarat Reads and the Ballarat L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program.

We play an integral part in bringing the community, local government and welfare agencies together to create real outcomes for the people of Ballarat and surrounding districts. 2014 saw significant growth in profile and activity, including an ongoing grants program that distributes donated funds to support local agencies to improve lives in Ballarat.

New initiatives included the inaugural Ballarat Reads August, aimed to increase reading activities and awareness of the Ballarat Imagination Library in the community, and the incorporation of the L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program which assists disadvantaged youth to obtain their probationary licence.

Geoff Sharp CEO, United Way Ballarat and The Ballarat Foundation

It was a year of action for United Way South Australia, with the launch of our United We Read early literacy program in March. Our Ambassador and world-renown children’s author Mem Fox was our special guest, launching a program that welcomed more than 200 children during the year.

Our Community Chest provided funding for the Christies Beach Blue Light Development Camp, giving at-risk youth a safe environment to enjoy leisure and learning activities. We also partnered with community groups to provide a social Christmas day lunch for local community members without nearby family and friends.

Ralph Day CEO, United Way South Australia

UNITED WAY BALLARAT

AUSTRALIA UNITED: OUR AFFILIATES

UNITED WAY SOUTH AUSTRALIA

HIGHLIGHTS

HIGHLIGHTS

delivered to people in need each week.

furthered their early literacy skills through our United We Read program.

received additional funding from our Workplace Giving program.

200+ CHILDREN

and more than 20 community partners worked to engage the community in early literacy activities.

60+ VOLUNTEERS

11 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

600+ MEALS300+

CHILDREN

received books and early literacy support.

4,500 PEOPLE

were supported through our grants and programs.

FINANCIAL POSITION

Statement of Financial Position as at 31st December 2014.

20 21

2014 $

2013 $

ASSETSCURRENT ASSETSCash and cash equivalents 1,304,092 942,985Other financial assets – 472,924Receivables 221,434 157,996TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,525,526 1,573,905NON-CURRENT ASSETSProperty, Plant and equipment 48,897 11,720TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 48,897 11,720

TOTAL ASSETS 1,574,423 1,585,625

LIABILITIESCURRENT LIABILITIESPayables and accrued expenses 103,891 136,696Related parties 43,921 47,426Deferred revenue 225,967 214,534TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 373,779 398,656LONG-TERM LIABILITIESProvision for Long Service Leave 5,827 9,839TOTAL LONG-TERM LIABILITIES 5,827 9,839TOTAL LIABILITIES 379,606 408,495

NET ASSETS 1,194,817 1,177,130

EQUITYDonations Fund- for designated purposes 205,280 209,766- for general purposes – 293,302Operations Fund (Previously Administration Fund)- for United Way Australia network purposes 168,119 168,119- for general purposes 821,418 505,943

TOTAL EQUITY 1,194,817 1,177,130

United Way West Australia delivers a range of education, income and health initiatives in disadvantaged areas of Perth. In the City of Swan, we have successfully implemented programs including Health & Nutrition, FAST (Families and Schools Together), Baby FAST, Boost, and Read Play Grow, supporting the healthy development of children across all developmental domains. These programs are empowering parents and families to engage in early literacy and other development activities, and in turn strengthening our community.

2014 marked the first full year of the ‘Paint the Swan REaD’ program, gaining broad community support for early literacy. More than 1,000 families received free books, early literacy packs, and participated in local reading events and learning opportunities.

We partnered with Kwinana Early Years Services to begin planning for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Kwinana, where one in four children start school without the skills they need to learn, and will commence a pilot in 2015.

The United Way Homelessness Coalition – now in its 3rd year – developed a new constitution, name and logo ‘Uniting for Homelessness’ and strategic plan Transition from Homelessness to Employment Project drawing on a Collective Impact approach. We will trial a practical approach for homeless people to help them to secure sustainable employment in 2015.

Sue Dixon CEO, United Way West Australia

Grants to 15 Community Partners across the Glenelg Shire to support priorities in Education, Health and Income.

Two organisations received an inaugural allocation of funds from the newly formed Lewis Court Fund.

UNITED WAY WEST AUSTRALIA

UNITED WAY GLENELG

HIGHLIGHTSMore than 500 families attended our ‘Paint the Swan REaD’ early literacy events.

1,126 volunteers dedicated 4,943 volunteer hours to strengthen their community.

Working in one the state’s most disadvantaged municipalities – the Shire of Glenelg in south-western Victoria – we are supporting individuals, local organisation and businesses to strengthen their local communities through a range of programs and grants addressing health, youth unemployment, literacy, and community engagement.

We work with a number of educational, health and government agencies to gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing young people living in rural and regional Victoria. In 2014 we were thrilled to support over 40 students from the Portland Re-engagement Program, which helps students transition successfully from school to work or further study.

We also helped created job awareness and opportunity in the region through the Workforce Skills and Volunteer Expo, which we supported as part of the Glenelg Shire Volunteer Advisory.

Building early literacy skills and a love of reading remained a key goal of ours, organising 3 reading events across the shire and activities and signing 300 more children up to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Nicole Angelino EO, United Way Glenelg

HIGHLIGHTS

STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS

Statement of Profit or Loss and Comprehensive Income for the year ended 31st December 2014.

We were pleased to see total revenue from operations in 2014* increase to $3,101,025 (2013 gross revenue: $3,047,744). At year end, the company held $1,194,817 by way of equity, with $205,280 being held to fund legacy project commitments and $168,199 held to fund future work of United Way Australia and our affiliates. Equity held in support of general Community Impact work totalled $821,418, which included $293,302 that was reallocated from funds previously held as part of the Company’s Donation Fund.

*Excluding non monetary donations.

22 23

2014 $ 2013 $

DONATIONS FUND REVENUEDonations revenue 1,072,660 1,206,712Less:Revenue received on behalf of other United Way entities in Australia (178,411) (184,337)

894,249 1,022,375EXPENSESDonations distributed to beneficiaries (898,735) (1,032,318)

(Shortfall) of revenue over expended from Donations Fund (4,486) (9,943)

OPERATIONS FUNDREVENUEProgram revenue and project income 1,996,040 1,807,256Less:Program revenue and project income allocated to other United Way entities in Australia (25,500) (43,092)

1,970,540 1,764,164Interest income 32,325 33,776Non-monetary donations 262,303 257,758TOTAL REVENUE 2,265,168 2,055,698EXPENSESProgram 1,156,474 871,824Volunteering projects to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane communities 281,719 326,787Administration expenses 804,802 700,222Total Expenses 2,242,995 1,898,833Excess of operations revenue over operations expenses 22,173 156,865Total Excess of revenue over expenses from continuing operations before income tax expense 17,687 146,922Income tax

Total Comprehensive Income 17,687 146,922

With almost 1800 United Ways working in 41 countries, we are the world’s largest non-profit organisation.Globally more than 2,200,000 people volunteer their time, talent and treasure in pursuit of our joint mission to advance the common good.United Way’s work focuses on education, income and health – the essential building blocks for a good quality of life.

OUR WORKIn Australia, our focus is on early interventions that improve school preparedness, literacy and readiness for work because evidence shows this will have the greatest impact on life trajectory.We do this through programs that help children in disadvantaged areas build vital early literacy skills, and through interventions that help students stay engaged and in school.

GLOBALLY UNITED OUR VALUESWe challenge the status quo and are humble enough to keep learning and doing better in all we do.We collaborate with each other and with partners across sectors because we believe everyone has a role to play.We are focused on getting better and lasting outcomes for individuals and communities facing disadvantage.

Thanks to fantastic supporters like you, we were able to bring books and a love

of reading to Pavithra’s two children.

South Sydney High School students meet with professionals from our community partners Fuji Xerox Australia

and ING DIRECT as part of our Ready to Succeed program.

GREAT THINGS HAPPEN WHEN WE LIVE UNITED.WE INVITE YOU TO BE PART OF THE CHANGE. YOU CAN GIVE. YOU CAN ADVOCATE. AND YOU CAN VOLUNTEER.

UNITED WAY AUSTRALIA ABN: 60 002 806 21 Email: info@unitedway.com.au | Phone: 1300 780 345 Mail: PO Box Q759, Queen Victoria Building, NSW 1230

FIND OUT MORE: unitedway.com.au