$100K for community: Smartline
By
Ben Abbott
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13/08/2010 5:54:00 AM
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Smartline franchisees have set themselves an ambitious target of raising $100,000 for the group’s community kitty over the current 12 month financial year, after having reached a milestone of a total of $500,000 raised, only eight years after the initiative began in 2002.
The initiative – which donates to charities that support children, or that provide people with shelter – generates a charitable donation of $10 from all loans settled, from over 200 franchisees.
Smartline Personal Mortgage Advisers managing director Chris Acret said the idea for the group’s fundraising came from a single franchisee, and have since been embraced by the rest.
The idea was to generate a charitable donation of $4 from every loan that was settled, but that donation soon increased to $10 per loan,” Acret said.
Smartline has created a charity fund and committee in each state to administer the funds, consisting of two or three franchisees and a group head office representative. The committees meet quarterly to determine how the funds will be distributed.
Acret said the structure allowed little-known charitable groups to receive support in each state, and ensured both franchisees and clients are involved through the loan approval process.
Charities that have received funds include Ronald McDonald House and orphanages in Cambodia, as well as the Women’s Housing Association and Habitat for Humanity.
“It’s such a marvellous way to build on and further enhance the relationships we have with our clients – which is an integral part of how we run our business,” Acret said. “The committees are also really keen to get physically involved whenever possible. That might include building or clean-up projects, painting or volunteering in some other way.
Acret said the group’s merger with West Australian mortgage broking group Mortgage Force 12 months ago has added to the fundraising effort.
In the last financial year, Smartline raised and donated $90,000, and expects this figure to grow by $10,000 this financial year, to reach $100,000 in total.
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