Dick Smith distributes part of $1M to charity

Millionaire philanthropist Dick Smith has given away the first half million dollars to charity in his million dollar 2014 Charity Breakthrough pledge.

As part of the Dick Smith Foods Foundation initiative to donate $1 million to charity in 2014, with the supporters of Dick Smith Foods being the sole decision makers as to where the money will go, the 38 charities to receive a share of $510,000 have been named.

In a presentation ceremony held at the Wayside Chapel, Smith presented cheques to the charities that had received the most votes to date.

Wollongong-based youth led organisation, Top Blokes Foundation, and the University of New South Wales’ Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing both received the highest amount of $50,000 each.

The Smith Family, IAIM Australia, Gidget Foundation, Barnados Australia and Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association followed, each receiving $20,000.

As part of the pledge, in the twelve-month period between 1 January and 31 December 2014, $1 million will be donated based on votes received.

In late 2013, Smith and his wife Pip handed over the intellectual property for Dick Smith Foods to a new Foundation, The Dick Smith Foods Foundation, which was set up as a Private Ancillary Fund (PAF).

Voting for the second round is now open. Votes can be made by taking a photograph of any Dick Smith Foods product/s in your pantry and emailing it to charity@dicksmithfoods.com.au together with your nomination for the charity you wish to support.

The first 38 charities to receive their share in the $510,000 are now ineligible to receive a donation in the second round at the end of 2014.

The 38 charities that received a share in $510,000 as part of the $1 million total donations for 2014 include:

Top Blokes Foundation $50,000

UNSW - Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing $50,000

The Smith Family $20,000

IAIM Australia $20,000

Gidget Foundation $20,000

Barnardos Australia $20,000

Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association $20,000

Vision Australia $10,000

SPELD Qld $10,000

Conservation Volunteers Australia $10,000

Foundation of Angelman Syndrome Therepeutics Australia $10,000

Interchange Loddon Mallee Region $10,000

Outward Bound Australia $10,000

Life Education Australia $10,000

The Wayside Chapel $10,000

Intework Inc. $10,000

Sailors with DisABILITIES $10,000

Variety - the Children's Charity $10,000

Delta Society Australia $10,000

Parkinson's NSW $10,000

Foodbank NSW $10,000

Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation $10,000

St Vincent de Paul Society $10,000

Centre for Eye Research Australia $10,000

Camp Quality $10,000

Cystic Fibrosis Victoria $10,000

Australian National Eisteddfod $10,000

Scouts Australia NSW Branch $10,000

Northern Beaches Interchange $10,000

Youth Off the Streets $10,000

Women and Infants Research Foundation $10,000

Taralye Foundation $10,000

The Shepherd Centre $10,000

Melanoma Institute Australia $10,000

Royal Flying Doctor Service $10,000

The Reach Foundation $10,000

Hear and Say - Centre for Deaf Children Ltd. $10,000

Reef Check Foundation Ltd. $10,000

- See more at: http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2014/08/dick-smith-distributes-p...`

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