Supporting Communities: Berkley Insurance Australia Highlights 2025 Grants Program

Berkley Insurance Australia (BIA) is proud to celebrate the achievements of Community Underwriting following the successful completion of its 2025 Small Grants Program. The program continues to demonstrate how thoughtful, values aligned partnerships can strengthen the Not‑for‑Profit sector and deliver meaningful support to communities in Australia and around the world.

Community Underwriting’s business model remains a standout in the insurance industry. Each year, 5% of its annual surplus is returned to clients who renew their insurance, ensuring that community organisations directly benefit from the success they help create. BIA, alongside Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, contributes additional funding to help Community Underwriting reach even more deserving initiatives.

Now in its 12th year, the 2025 program supported 75 projects, up from 70 in 2024. The range of initiatives funded this year reflects the diversity and resilience of the Not‑for‑Profit organisations Community Underwriting serves. Among the many projects supported were:

• Every Home Global Concern, building an inclusive playground in Zambia for children with disabilities.
• Salt Care Kids, providing Christmas gifts to families experiencing financial hardship, helping parents share in the joy of giving.
• Koala Kids, delivering “smash cake” celebrations for children and young people undergoing cancer treatment.
• SLSC Northern Beaches, training a team member as a Mental Health First Aid Officer to better support the club and local community.
• Mildura Health Centre, installing security cameras to improve safety for patients staying onsite during radiation treatment.
• Rolybushcare, hosting a community workshop where participants learn about wildlife care and build take home possum boxes.
• Equity in Action, supporting regional consumer representatives and clinical research professionals to attend a Clinical Research Education Workshop.
• Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, constructing a round safety yard to support the rehabilitation and veterinary treatment of rescued horses.
• Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, providing essential kitchen starter packs for individuals and families leaving domestic violence situations.
• Stronger Starts for Students and Parents, delivering a six‑week program to help regional families prepare for the 2025 school year with practical tools and resources.
• Feed & Flourish, running a 13 week food bank initiative supporting asylum seekers and refugees in south and south‑eastern Sydney.
• Amaranth Foundation, establishing a community hydroponic garden to feed local families and provide skill building opportunities for people with disabilities.
• The Umbrella Foundation, providing health education and essential products to girls and women in bonded labour in Nepal’s brick kiln factories.
• School Holiday Wildlife Adventure, bringing refugee and asylum seeker families together for a day of wildlife encounters, games, food and connection.
• Greek Young Matrons – Feed the People, supplying toiletries and food to people experiencing homelessness in Surry Hills.
• The Give to Gain Project, delivering a week long sports camp for children and teens with vision and hearing impairments to build confidence, resilience and belonging.

Beyond these major initiatives, the program also funded essential equipment upgrades, disability and security improvements, community events, art workshops, and food and clothing support for people doing it tough.

Since launching in 2014, Community Underwriting has now donated more than $12 million to Not‑for‑Profit clients and shareholders through the Small Grants Program and annual distributions. This milestone reflects a long standing commitment to reinvesting insurance dollars back into the communities that need them most.

BIA is honoured to continue supporting Community Underwriting’s mission and congratulates all 2025 grant recipients. Their work strengthens communities, supports vulnerable people, and brings hope to those who need it most. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of the program in the years ahead.