Public Library

FROM THE JUDGES:

A very solid refresh has led to an impressive increase in participation”

RESULTS + IMPACT:

• Approximately 850 team members are employed by Heritage Bank
• The WPG program originally launched in July 2019 and was refreshed in March 2021
• Senior management was deeply involved in the refresh
• The refresh included a period of triple matching
• Great momentum achieved in a three months between March and June 2021
• Team member participation increased from 5.75% to 11.9
• The major Heritage Bank Charitable Foundation grant of $25,000 was named Our Shout in honour of the WPG program.

OVERVIEW + HIGHLIGHTS:

• Heritage Bank is one of Australia’s largest mutual banks and one of the oldest financial institutions in the country.  Based in the QLD city of Toowoomba, Heritage Bank’s origins go back 146 years to the formation of the Toowoomba Permanent Building Society in 1875.
• All team member payroll donations are directed to the Heritage Bank Charitable Foundation (HBCF).  HBCF’s support focuses on three key areas i) Positive educational and alternative pathways to help at-risk children and teenagers, ii) health care services for vulnerable Australians and their families; and iii) support for the economic and social wellbeing of people in regional, rural and remote communities, including in times of natural disasters.
• The WPG program refresh included a new name and logo, along with widespread communications as part of an employee awareness and education blitz.  In addition, the on boarding process was updated with new sign-up forms, collateral, and a charity partner education program.
• Helping team members understand the detailed impact of their donation was a key participation driver.  The senior management team reinforced the message and for a period of time Heritage Bank donated $2 for every $1 by staff, effectively tripling an employee’s impact.
• The combination of senior management support, great connection to the charity partners, and the sense that their donation was becoming more powerful due to great matching policy, resulted in a huge participation boost.