Telstra’s Kids Fund is a fantastic grant program that provides the opportunity to recognise and support Telstra employees’ work and links in their local community. It’s rather amazing to think that I’ve worked with TKF in the Telstra Foundation as the National Coordinator for seven years and I thank God for the experience.

Many Telstra staff are active in their local community and Telstra’s Kids Fund provides the opportunity to recognise and support this involvement by distributing $1200 grants to support projects that benefit children and young people.

Each year, $750,000 is given to local community organisations like schools, P&C associations and sporting clubs on behalf of children related to permanent Telstra Group employees. There are three funding rounds each year.

As a part of the Chief Sustainability Office at Telstra, our work with TKF focuses on conducting our business responsibly, building stronger and more inclusive communities and reducing our environmental impact all while making Telstra a great place to work.

I can honestly say I love my job and enjoy working with an amazing TKF Grants Committee. It’s great to see the way TKF makes a difference to local communities, and reading thank you letters and reports, as well as seeing fantastic photos, can be extremely moving.

Each project we support is important to the organisation, so even something that may seem ordinary such as a shade sail, for example, will provide the opportunity for kids to play and spend more time outside all year round.

Grants also provide social and economic participation for kids through access to information and communications technologies, for example teaching tools for schools such as tablets and computers.

For more information on TKF, go to www.telstrafoundation.com