As we approach the end of the year, it’s a great opportunity to pause and reflect on your financial journey. Take time to review your superannuation and investment balances and assess your spending habits. Are your expenses in line with what you expected? Did you spend more or less than planned?

Understanding your cashflow and overall financial position now can help you make informed decisions and adjustments before the new year begins. A Financial Planner can assist you in reviewing your numbers and identifying strategies to help you start 2026 with confidence and clarity.

Giving back with purpose

The end of the year is also a meaningful time to consider your charitable giving. If you're in a position to do so, donating to a charity that aligns with your values can help them finish the year strong and deliver impactful results in the community.

Charitable giving is a form of philanthropy - a way for individuals to make a difference in their communities and across the country. Whether your values are social, environmental, or cultural, there’s a charity out there that reflects what matters most to you.

Philanthropy in Australia: a growing movement

Philanthropy Australia¹ has set an ambitious goal: to double structured giving in Australia by 2030, which could result in an additional $2.5 billion directed to those Australians in greatest need. This goal is well-timed, as Australia is in the midst of the largest intergenerational wealth transfer² in its history - an estimated $5.4 trillion.

In 2023, the country’s three largest philanthropic foundations were Minderoo Foundation, Yajilarra Trust, and the Paul Ramsay Foundation which collectively donated around $585 million, representing nearly half of the total giving by the top 50 philanthropists. Encouragingly, as the Financial Review Rich List has grown, the Philanthropy 50 list has grown even faster³, highlighting a positive trend of increased giving among Australia’s wealthiest individuals.

Bridges and The Smith Family: creating brighter futures

At Bridges, we’re proud to support The Smith Family, a national children’s charity with a focus on helping young Australians overcome educational inequality caused by poverty. The Smith Family works with thousands of children and their families to provide educational resources that help young people unlock a better future for themselves⁴.

To celebrate our 40-year anniversary this year, Bridges supported 40 children on The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program. We also hosted three Work Inspiration programs around the country to introduce young people to the world of work and participated in the annual Wishing Tree fundraising initiative.

Creating a brighter financial future for all Australians is one of our values and we do this by assisting some 8,000 clients with financial advice and supporting The Smith Family. In addition, our parent company, Insignia Financial, offers a range of options to our people to participate in charitable giving through the Insignia Community Foundation.

Our community and the Insignia Community Foundation: giving that matters

Insignia Financial offers a range of opportunities for its employees to contribute towards charitable causes through our Community program. Established in 2002 as a Public Auxiliary Fund and non-profit organisation, the Insignia Community Foundation has donated more than $18 million to charitable organsations⁵.

Members of the public are welcome to donate towards the Insignia Community Foundation. Your donation will contribute towards programs that focus on financial wellbeing, basic needs, social inclusion, reconciliation and mental health. Funds donated towards the Insignia Community Foundation will be distributed to our charitable partners.

Whether you’re reviewing your finances or considering your charitable impact, the end of the year is a powerful time to reflect, reset, and give back.

If you would like to make a donation to the Insignia Community Foundation to help us, as a business, increase our reach to charities with heart and purpose, you can donate online at https://www.insigniafinancial.com.au/corporate-responsibility/community/foundation/donation-form

Resources:

¹ https://www.philanthropy.org.au/

² Australian Philanthropic Services ($5.4 Trillion Wealth Transfer | Legacy Philanthropy With APS)

³ Philanthropy 50: Which Australians gave away the most in 2023? (https://www.afr.com/wealth/people/philanthropy-50-which-australians-gave-away-the-most-in-2023-20240308-p5favg)

⁴ https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/

⁵ https://www.insigniafinancial.com.au/corporate-responsibility/community/foundation