MEDIA RELEASE: The Future2 Foundation (Future2) has expanded its scope to include members of the Association of Financial Advisers(AFA) and the Self-Managed Super Fund Association (SMSFA) as participants in its charitable activities.

As with the Financial Planning Association (FPA), members of these associations can now nominate their local communitycauses for the “Make the Difference” grants program, expected to open in August, and have the opportunity toparticipate in fundraising that impacts locally, on an Australia-wide basis.

In line with this growth, Future2 is also broadening its focus to include all Australians in need rather than just younger Australians, allowing it to make an even bigger difference in the lives of Australians experiencing social, financial or physical hardship.

Julie Berry CFP, chair of Future2, says Future2 is evolving.

“We have been working with FPA members since 2007 to identify and support grassroots, community programs aroundAustralia, helping those experiencing hardship.

“We will now be working with even more financial services professionals, including members of SMSF Association and theAFA.

“We will also continue our partnership with the FPA through the new association, the Financial Advice Association Australia, once the merger of the FPA and AFA has completed.

“We are looking forward to future growth for our foundation – with greater reach comes greater impact. So far, we havesupported over 150 local community programs and distributed $1.6 million to these causes.

“It is really rewarding to see the funds raised at work, and exciting to think that we will now have more financial services professionals involved, with the opportunity to make a difference,” Ms Berry says.

In addition, there have been changes to the Future2 board of directors. Sarah Abood will step down from the board, and Julian Place and Mahjabeen Zaman have also retired from the board.

“On behalf of Future2, I thank Sarah, Julian and Mahjabeen for their hard work – they have been exceptional boardmembers and supporters of Future2. They intend to continue to support and contribute to Future 2, and we will continueto work with them.

“We will be appointing new board members shortly who will represent our expanded remit and role within the financial services profession.

“I’d also like to thank all our past sponsors and supporters, a big thank you to Tangelo who remains a current sponsor ofthe foundation.

“I encourage our new eligible Members to keep their eye out for the next round of grant applications and take theopportunity to nominate causes close to their hearts to receive a grant from Future2,” Ms Berry says.

Those who would like to know more about the Future2 Foundation can visit the website: https://future2foundation.org.au/