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Fairfax Media

In all aspects of our business, we maintain a strong focus on environmental and corporate social responsibility. Fairfax is committed to supporting and making a positive contribution to the hundreds of communities in which it operates. We do this in many different ways, each unique to our role as a powerful community leader.

We support initiatives and causes which are aligned with our business objectives through measures including sponsorships, contra advertising, partnerships, fundraising campaigns as well as editorial exposure across our extensive network of media assets.

By driving conversations that matter and creating connections that count in the communities we serve, Fairfax uses its trusted voice to deliver a powerful public good. Our journalism makes communities stronger - more civil, more open and transparent. We hold governments and the powerful up to public scrutiny and to account.

Fairfax newspapers and websites play an important role in encouraging fundraising. For example, Stuff.co.nz utilised a ‘givealittle’ page to encourage its readers to support the Red Cross Nepal Earthquake appeal in May 2015, raising NZ$57,717.

Fairfax also supports numerous charities through the provision of advertising support. In FY15, Fairfax and its divisions delivered multi-million dollar exposure for charities and community organisations.

Fairfax is proud to partner with key stakeholders to deliver world-class, mass participation events and experiences in Australia and New Zealand, attracting more than two million people each year to its expanding calendar of arts, business, food and wine, parenting and sports events. Extending our large-scale audiences into communities provides significant social and economic benefits.

Since 1971, Fairfax Events have generated more than $35 million in contributions to various charities, with popular The Age Run Melbourne contributing $8.9 million for 400 charities since 2008 and the iconic Round the Bays event in Auckland, New Zealand, raising NZ$1.75 million over the past 11 years for charitable causes and initiatives.

In FY15, Fairfax Events raised around $7 million for charity and community initiatives across Australia and New Zealand.

  • The Sun-Herald City2Surf, the world’s largest community run attracting more than 80,000 participants each year, raised more than $4.5 million for participating charities in August 2014.
  • The Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon, Australia’s largest 21km running event, in its 23rd year and attracting 12,000+ runners, who raised more than $875,000 for charity.
  • The Sydney Morning Herald Cole Classic of 3,600+ swimmers and SMH Sun Run of 5,000+ runners raised more than $140,000 in March 2015.
  • Fairfax food events, such as Night Noodle Markets, contributed more than $50,000 in cash donations to OzHarvest which provided more than 100,000 meals to vulnerable Australians.

Fairfax Events engages over 5,000 volunteers annually donating more than $150,000 to organisations including Girl Guides, Surf Clubs, Rotary, run clubs and local Scouts.

Fairfax provides national support to the prestigious Australian of the Year Awards, as well as numerous arts organisations and events including the Sydney Festival, Melbourne Festival, Brisbane Festival, Art Gallery of New South Wales, National Gallery of Australia and the Melbourne and Sydney Film and Writers’ Festivals.

The inaugural Sydney Morning Herald Spectrum Now arts festival held in March 2015 partnered with Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA), the world’s largest melanoma research and treatment centre, by fundraising and promoting the important work of the MIA.

The Fairfax Foundation was established in 1959, operating separately from Fairfax Media with the purpose of providing support to current and former Fairfax employees and their dependents. During the 2015 financial year, the Foundation provided $383,185 in financial grants, loans and other benefits to eligible recipients.