In 2021, BITSA introduced the Philanthropy portfolio with a vision of leading progressive change through providing engaging and impactful not-for-profit opportunities. The portfolio organized many innovative initiatives which helped to uplift and support the wider community, as well as generate student interest in philanthropy.

BITSA x I4C: Wellbeing Day

BITSA’s philanthropy portfolio partnered with Investing 4 Charity (I4C) to host a wellbeing day which allowed students to de-stress before upcoming exams and donate towards mental health organization Beyond Blue. Students had the opportunity to destress by learning different methods of unwinding, playing with dogs, eating biscuits and drinking warm tea. Through the event, BITSA importantly helped to provide a safe space for people to talk openly about mental health and well-being. An incredible $272 was raised from donations for Beyond Blue.

Wings4Life World Run

On the 9th of May at 9pm, UNSW BITSA joined thousands of people across the world in running to support Redbull Wings for Life to help find a cure for spinal cord injury. Wings for Life is a non-profit foundation that seeks to support and fund research for clinical studies and projects around the world. BITSA’s team helped raise over $780 for spinal cord injury research through the run and all participants helped to spread awareness of the notable cause.

Dares for Donation

The Philanthropy portfolio hosted an internal event which rewarded the confidence of subcommittee members through pledging donations for dares performed. A total of $888 was raised for UNICEF’s India COVID-19 Crisis to provide relief as India faced a second wave.

Blood Drive

A group of BITSA’s internal members took part in the society’s first blood drive with the Australian Red Cross to help save lives. The group gathered at the Town Hall Donor Centre and had a picnic after to rejuvenate.

After the success of 2021, the Philanthropy portfolio had made further steps in spreading awareness on health & disability, the severity of bushfires and mental health onto the wider UNSW community. 2022 saw the portfolio partnering with Wings for Life, Habitat for Humanity, Wheelchair Sports ACT/NSW and Sydney Dog's and Cat's Home.

Congratulations to the Philanthropy portfolio for another great year!

Wheelchair Basketball

BITSA Philanthropy's inaugural Wheelchair Basketball event strived to spread awareness of sports disability and raise donations for Wheelchair Sports ACT/NSW, a charitable organization promoting opportunity in sport for people with disability. The event welcomed over 60 attendees and the Philanthropy team was able to raise $770 towards the cause.

Wings for Life World Run

Once again this year, UNSW BITSA partnered with Redbull to participate in their annual Wings for Life World Run. Along with thousands of others across the globe, BITSA’s participation in the event helped to spread awareness of, as well as raise funds to sponsor continued research into discovering a cure for spinal cord injuries. With over 80 attendees, BITSA’s team raised over $1320 this year for the Wings for Life non-profit.

Habitat for Humanity Volunteering - Bushfire Resilience

On Wednesday May 18th, BITSA’s Philanthropy portfolio traveled up to the Blue Mountains for a day of volunteering in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Australia, whose bushfire program connects volunteers with at-risk communities. BITSA Philanthropy members had the opportunity to work on a property that had become overgrown to provide bushfire recovery and resilience assistance. With gardening tools, sturdy boots and sunny weather, they worked on the land to make the residents feel safer and more prepared for the next bushfire season, and ultimately had a great day of clearing weeds, cutting down dead trees, and even had a visit from the local newspaper!

Clothes Drive

Partnering with HR’s ‘Family Feud Night’, Philanthropy was able to collect and donate clothes to charity. Introducing special rules to the game, teams were able to buy actions such as ‘phone-a-friend’ and ‘extra life.’ Additionally, with the help of a ‘Movie Night’ event, Philanthropy was able to snacks and drinks to donate to charity, totalling $502, which we donated towards various charities that helped in re-donating clothes to the homeless community.

Habitat for Humanity Volunteering - Brush for Kindness

Members of BITSA’s Philanthropy continued their support for Habitat for Humanity, volunteering in their ‘Brush for Kindness’ program. The program works alongside homeless shelters by renovating rooms to provide a more comfortable experience for individuals seeking shelter. The Philanthropy portfolio also raised an additional $155 in support of the charity.

Bake Sale for Charity - Bon A-Pet-it Baking Bonanza

This is some text inside of a divAs part of Subcommittee led initiative, Philanthropy created a bake sale, with proceeds totalling $230 going towards the Sydney Dog’s and Cat’s Home, Sydney’s largest no-kill animal shelter. BITSA Philanthropy members baked cookies and brownies, shaped in novelty ‘dog-bones’, and set-up a decoration station for students to use. BITSA members also brought their own pets from home, to raise awareness for the shelter.block.

In our third year, the Philanthropy portfolio sustained our flagship initiatives with Wheelchair Sports ACT/NSW, Wings for Life, and Habitat for Humanity, reaching out and supporting our underrepresented and at-need communities.

This year, our horizons expanded to Mental Health, Animal Welfare, and Healthcare Research, with trailblazing events involving Beyond Blue, Monika’s Doggy Rescue, and the Cancer Council.

Together, we've taken huge strides toward fostering a more informed and connected student community, embodying our portfolio's enduring vision. A massive shoutout to the Philanthropy Portfolio for an extraordinary year that redefines the true essence of making a difference!

Wheelchair Basketball

Philanthropy’s first event of the year, wheelchair basketball aimed to raise awareness about sports disabilities and generate donations for Wheelchair Sports ACT/NSW, a charitable organisation dedicated to expanding sporting opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The event successfully hosted over 70 attendees and the team raised over $900 whilst shooting hoops!

Wings For Life World Run

UNSW BITSA collaborated with Redbull for the annual Wings for Life World Run. BITSA's active involvement, with 91 attendee, contributed to broader awareness and fundraising for spinal cord injuries. Despite the rain, BITSA's team secured over $1365 in donations for Wings for Life!

Monica’s Dog Shelter

On Thursday the 7th of September, BITSA philanthropy members journeyed to Monica’s Doggie Rescue in Ingleside. Our group of 8 met the owner of the rescue place who taught us about their charity, which focused on saving and re-homing pets of all sizes, including dogs, cats and rabbits. We spent the day volunteering, which included walking a group of huskies around nearby bushland.

Packed with Love

In July, to help emergency hospital centres across Sydney, the BITSA team created their very own care packages to send to SMILES2U, a charity which supports men, women and children at hospitals. Each port was assigned an item to bring in, as we successfully raised approximately $450 in material goods in the form of 50 goodie bags, to brighten someone’s day!

Wagging for Wellness

In June, philanthropy raised money for Black Dog Institute, raising awareness for mental health. The UNSW dog mascots helped out at this event, Jasper and Luca, two big white Samoyeds famous around UNSW. We raised $345, from a variety of items and activities we held. These included: selling hot cup noodles; painting mini canvases and taking polaroids with friends and the pawsome dogs.

Create 4 a Cause

Our last event of the year, held on the 5th October raised money for Cancer Council. Philanthropy created a bake sale of brownies and cupcakes paired with do-it-yourself tie-dye shirts. This was a huge success, raising around $480 and selling out of everything. We educated the people who came on the great impacts Cancer Council has had in Cancer research, prevention, treatment, and support.