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FROM THE JUDGES:

A fantastic program that demonstrates leadership and alignment to strategic goals, offering embedded pro-bono and skilled volunteering opportunities.  KWM has a bold and aspirational stretch targets for workplace giving participation.”

RESULTS + IMPACT

• 51 % of staff participate in the KWM workplace giving program, Dig Deep
• The program is a core part of the firm’s strategy to deliver measurable social impact toward reducing inequality and poverty
• Over $14m has been donated since WPG was launched in 2001
• WPG is deeply embedded in KWM’s social impact strategy and receives strong support at the firm’s most senior levels
• In addition, a new record participation level was set with 91% of staff donating 54,273 pro bono legal hours, valued at $14.3m

OVERVIEW + HIGHLIGHTS

• KWM is a global top-tier law firm headquartered in Asia. The Australian division employs 1,579 staff across five states and territories. The firm’s social impact goal is to reduce inequality and poverty among young people, especially First Nations youth.
• The firm’s social impact practice, KWM Community Impact, was launched in 2001 and the workplace giving program, now known as DigDeep®, was piloted the same year, making it one of the longest running workplace giving programs in the country.
• KWM Community Impact is guided by an Outcomes Framework to track, measure and report on progress of achieving structural, systemic and sustainable change toward reducing inequality and poverty.
• A central group oversees the social impact practice. Each strategic community partner has assigned
• contacts to assist in building the relationship. The firm regularly reviews the Framework, the goals and targets, finding new ways to engage their people, community partners, and clients.
• The firm ran three national appeals (which includes the Final Hour appeal and ‘one off’ appeals) via DigDeep®, raising more than $103,000 for seven organisations including three new community partners which were added to the program in 2021.
• The firm respects and celebrates the contribution of its staff in both donating via DigDeep® and sharing their skills, experience and passion through pro bono and volunteering. The focus on communications to help raise awareness, knowledge and engagement has helped KWM achieve another record level of participation for 2021. They have a stretch target of 75% participation in 2022.
• Senior leaders take on the role of program ambassadors and regularly feature in communications and marketing that help build awareness and participation. DigDeep® is a feature of all new starter induction presentations and onboarding kits.
• Over the past 20 years, the program has evolved and been recognised as a key pillar of the firm’s impressive social impact strategy. Participation has grown each year from 2% in 2001 to 51% in 2021.