What we do

NAB Foundation uses philanthropy, social investment and in-kind support to fund social and environmental progress in the Australian communities served by the NAB Group. By funding the people and communities who make a real difference, the Foundation aims to help tackle social and environmental challenges. 

The Foundation’s granting is primarily focused on initiatives that help communities and the environment withstand and fires, floods, cyclones and earthquakes. 

In 2004, we awarded $3.7 million to 109 organisations across Australia, including 83 grassroots projects helping Australians prepare for and recover from natural disasters. 

Partner profile: Disaster Relief Australia (DRA)

NAB Foundation is partnering with Disaster Relief Australia, opens in new window (DRA) to support Australian communities to recover from disasters.

DRA unites the skills and experience of military veterans and other volunteers to help communities prepare for and recover from disasters.

A $1 million grant from NAB Foundation is helping DRA recruit and manage more volunteers to support recovery efforts in communities across Australia through the NAB Foundation Recovery Crew. NAB also provides DRA access to our colleague volunteer pool to support resilience and recovery operations and other strategic initiatives.

Rebuilding communities takes many hands.

“We help people on what is often their worst day. Our volunteers and the work they do make a tangible difference on the ground for those who are affected and devastated by disasters. Our partnership with NAB Foundation is fundamental in our ability to serve those in need. This valuable support enables us to help more and do more in communities across Australia.” – DRA Chief Executive Officer Dave Smith.

Our grant programs

Community Grants

The NAB Foundation Community Grants program funds local community ideas and projects to withstand and recover from natural disasters.

We award $1 million annually in grants of up to $25,000, with an additional $200,000 available for projects with big potential.

In 2024 we awarded 83 organisations with community grants totalling $1.2 million.

Environmental Resilience Grant

NAB Foundation Environmental Resilience Grants support applied projects that build environmental resilience to natural disasters and climate change at scale.

Currently this includes testing rural fire break strategies in partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia and Greening Australia.

Case study: Girls on Fire

NAB Foundation partner Girls on Fire, opens in new window is empowering the next generation of young girls and gender diverse kids to step forward and be leaders in their community.

During a Girls on Fire resilience camp, facilitators take participants through hands-on practical rotations to help young girls and gender diverse kids build resilience and show them what leadership under pressures looks like.

Participants experience the physical demands of firefighting, and simulations of sensory deprivation, when they’re taught how to extinguish fires, rescue someone from a wrecked car and how to conduct search and rescue operations.

Thanks to a three-year partnership with the NAB Foundation announced in September 2024, Girls on Fire is rolling out more programs nationally to reach more young people and train the next generation of firefighters.

To solve a diversity of problems we need a diversity of skills and capabilities. We all have something to offer and we need all kinds of people to step up and help our communities be ready for disasters. The emergency management sector also needs to reflect the diverse community it serves.

“We want to empower young people to become leaders in their communities, and the Girls on Fire programs are a great way to do this, while also building the resilience of communities,” says Girls on Fire CEO Bronnie Mackintosh.

Find the full list of organisations and initiatives we’ve supported with grants.

About our investment focus

NAB Foundation invests ethically, with a goal of ensuring our investments do no harm. It also invests to make positive change alongside returns. Impact investment positions include the Conscious Investment Management Impact Fund, which targets the specialist disability accommodation, social housing, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and social impact bonds sectors.

NAB Foundation history and governance

NAB Foundation has been in operation since 2016.

Today, in line with NAB’s broader community engagement, NAB Foundation funds community organisations with a charitable purpose and supports them by drawing on skills, expertise and resources from across the NAB Group. 

NAB Foundation is made up of three Trusts that are governed by an independent trustee. The NAB Foundation’s management team is part of NAB’s Sustainability team and is accountable to the Trustee for delivering on all operational matters and execution of strategies and programs.

NAB Foundation, ABN: 27 308 230 413

NAB Ancillary Fund, ABN: 98 499 614 896

JBWere Charitable Endowment Fund, ABN: 16 719 204 303

Explore more

Find out more about how NAB and NAB Foundation support local communities.

Learn more about NAB Foundation

Learn more about the work NAB Foundation is doing.

Contact us

Email us

Email the NAB foundation team.

nabfoundation@nab.com.au, opens in new window

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