The Bupa Foundation has announced a significant expansion of its Community Grants program for 2025, allocating more than $600,000 to 65 community organisations across Australia and New Zealand.
The funding will be directed toward projects that address mental health and sustainability, reinforcing the foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting local health outcomes.
Since 2019, the Bupa Foundation has distributed over $2.5 million to grassroots organisations in the region.
The 2025 round marks the largest number of recipients to date, with a focus on practical, community-driven solutions to health and wellbeing challenges.
Roger Sharp, chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer for Bupa Asia-Pacific, said the program is designed to enable local groups to deliver initiatives that have a direct impact on community health.
“When you combine funding and resources with the passion and knowledge of local community groups, the impact can be incredible. That’s why supporting local communities through these grants and volunteering opportunities continues to be so important to Bupa,” he said. “I look forward to following the progress of these projects over the coming years, as they contribute to creating healthier communities.”
Australian recipients of the 2025 grants represent a broad spectrum of community needs. Projects include mental health education in schools, support for vulnerable populations, environmental sustainability, and programs designed to foster social connection.
Among the funded initiatives are the Adelaide Crows Foundation’s Open Parachute program, which delivers mental health lessons to students in drought-affected areas, and Batyr Australia, which focuses on preventative mental health education for young people.
Other recipients include Bowls Victoria, which integrates mental health support into local sports clubs, and Delta Therapy Dogs, which leverages animal-assisted therapy to promote wellbeing.
Organisations such as Djirra and the Minus 18 Foundation are addressing the needs of Aboriginal women and LGBTQIA+ youth, respectively, while environmental projects like the Common Ground Project and Wattle Volunteering are promoting sustainability and community engagement.
The Bupa Foundation’s community grants are complemented by partnerships with organisations including Kids Helpline, Black Dog Institute, Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation, Brien Holden Foundation, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), and the New Zealand Landcare Trust.
These collaborations extend the foundation’s reach into major public health and wellbeing initiatives across the region.
The expansion of the grants program follows Bupa’s recently reported financial results for the year ending 2024. The company recorded total revenue of £16.9 billion, a 16% increase from the previous year, and underlying profit before tax rose by 59% to £914 million.
Bupa’s customer base now exceeds 60 million, driven in part by the growth of its digital health platform, Blua, which serves nearly 7.5 million users.
The company attributes its performance to increased digital engagement and a focus on healthcare accessibility.
