Canon Recognises Small Business in their 2021 Grants

For the second year running Canon has recognised small business in their 2021 Grants Program, across New Zealand and Australia. 2021 winners were announced on 13 September.

COVID -19 lockdowns have impacted businesses across Australia which prompted Canon to include a small business category with increased cash donations.

The public got to have their say and cast over 4,000 votes for the 2021 finalists with Canon awarding more than $30,000 worth of grants.  Each Australian winner receives $5,000 in cash and products.

The winning projects help disadvantaged and dislocated communities connect with nature and help deliver therapy to children who have been impacted by adversity.

Dave Yoshida, Managing Director of Canon Oceania said that they continued to be inspired by organisations working to make positive contributions to society. Especially in these tough economic and personal circumstances that the pandemic has created for so many communities and organisations.

‘This is especially true for small businesses, with many significantly impacted by the current restrictions in a number of states.’

Canon Oceana is guided in the spirit of Kyosei – living and working together for the common good they have done that by supporting 75 schools, not-for-profit organisations and community groups with over $420,00 in the past 15 years.

Past recipients have used their grant money to provide therapy dogs for children with disability and to facilitate learning for children with hearing loss and to stop dolphin cruelty.

Australian winners for 2021:

Small Business – The Young Naturalist NSW, a social enterprise assisting women and children in disadvantaged communities throughout Australia.

Education – Giant Steps Australia (NSW and Vic) operates a school and provides intervention and adult services for children and adults living with autism spectrum disorder.

Community – KidsXpress (NSW) is a mental health charity working to transform the lives of children impacted by adversity, using a trauma-informed Expressive Therapy program to promote healing in children under 12.

Runner-Up

Saving our Koalas (NSW) a charity dedicated to creating more habitats for endangered koalas. Raising funds through donations to plant koala food trees.

New Zealand winners

Education - Wakatipu Reforestation focuses on the protection and restoration of the native biodiversity of the Wakatipu Basin through revegetation projects, collaboration, education and advocacy

Community - The Period Place is a period advocacy charity, with the goal of eliminating period poverty by 2030; in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. The charity will use its grant to allow them to facilitate greater learning opportunities in their education classes

Environment - Far Out Ocean Research Collective’s mission is to foster knowledge and conservation of oceanic environments through research and education. This grant will be used to support their research of female parāoa/sperm whales in Aotearoa NZ. 

For a full list of the recipients visit the Canon Oceania’s Grants Program please visit https:/www.canon.com.au/about-canon/community/grants