Approaching its 10-year milestone, the ARBS Foundation is looking back at the work it has done to support Australia’s HVAC&R industry through $400,000 worth of grants.
In 2014, ARBS Exhibitions Limited created the ARBS Foundation to support the HVAC&R industry. The goal was to promote education and research in the industry, solicit donations to help support its objectives, provide grants, scholarships and awards to help individuals in the industry to advance their skills, and cooperate with other organisations that share similar goals and objectives to the foundation.
The Foundation established two charitable trusts: the Scholarship Trust and the Development Trust, serving the education and research functions respectively.
Almost a decade on, the ARBS Foundation has successfully delivered $400,000 value in grants across a wide range of activities, providing vital support to the industry since its inception. And now, the foundation board wants to promote more opportunities for more Australians wishing to expand their skills.
ARBS Foundation Executive Officer David Eynon has been in the role since 2014 and highlights the charity’s important work.
“The Foundation is committed to making a positive impact in the HVAC&R industry by fostering growth and excellence through education and research,” says Eynon.
“We have achieved this by providing a substantial amount in grants and scholarships [and we] thank all supporters who [have given] back to our industry.
“This money is going to worthwhile initiatives and as an organisation we are looking forward to seeing more innovative projects as individuals learn and grow.”
Recognised by the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission, the Foundation operates its grants program to improve industry productivity through the development of skills and technology.
Foundation Chair Ian Hopkins says: “We are proud to have been able to support the industry in this way.
“Our aim is to promote the growth and success of the industry, and these grants are just one of the ways we are achieving this goal.”
The cancellation of the ARBS Exhibition in 2020 because of COVID-19 meant that no financial support was available, and therefore only a small number of grants were able to be provided.
With a return of ARBS to Melbourne in August 2022, the Foundation has regained its strength and is now actively calling for interested parties to request funding.
For more information on the grants program, visit the ARBS Foundation website.
Photo by Bambi Corro on Unsplash