Canon Oceania has opened submissions for its 2020 Grants Program, with a revamped program that now includes small businesses.

In response to the natural disasters and a pandemic that have impacted Australians this year, the company’s grants program now includes a new category and increased cash donations to support the most vulnerable causes across the country.

This year, Canon has introduced a new small business category to its grants program, in recognition of the way they have been impacted by bushfires, floods and the restrictions brought about by COVID-19.

Winners will also be selected from two additional categories: Community, which is open to organisations ranging from not-for-profits, to grassroots groups and environmental causes, and Education, which is open to schools and other educational centres for children and adults alike.

Winners will be selected based on the strength of their initiative and the impact it will have on their community or business.

Each grant winner will receive a total of $5,000 in cash and Canon products, ranging from cameras and printers, to projectors and other accessories.

For the first time, winners will receive an equal donation of cash and equipment – $2,500 each – to support causes trying to rebuild themselves in a weaker economy (where the previous split was $1,000 in cash and $4,000 in products).

Canon Oceania managing director Dave Yoshida said it’s no secret that 2020 has been an incredibly tough year for all Australians, with organisations facing uncertainty like never before.

“The pressure COVID-19 has put on small businesses, schools and community organisations is unprecedented,” Yoshida said.

“While we are helping our customers, partners and employees navigate this new normal, we believe it’s equally important to help the community around us. So even as the government starts lifting restrictions, we know now is the time to support organisations that will be permanently changed by the course of 2020 thus far. 

“At Canon, we follow the Kyosei philosophy, so with this in mind, and in recognition of the current climate, we’re pleased to introduce the small business category and increased cash portion of the grant package. We’re confident the Grants Program will help impacted organisations make the vital next steps towards recovery.”

The 2020 Grants will be awarded under the following categories:

• 1 x Small Business Grant – $5,000
  Open to all businesses across any sector that employ fewer than 20 people and have less than $10 million aggregated turnover.
• 1 x Community Grant – $5,000
  Open to a range of organisations keeping their community at the heart of what they do, ranging from not-for-profits, to grassroots groups and environmental causes.
• 1 x Education Grant – $5,000
  Open to schools and other educational centres for children and adults alike.
• 1 x Runner-up Grant – $1,000
  A runner up will be selected from any of the categories above.

Submissions are now open until July 31 via www.canon.com.au/grants. The wider community will vote on finalists in August, and winners will be announced in September.

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