Sustainable growth

One of our 2020 organisational goals is to become financially, socially and environmentally sustainable. We will achieve this by honing our business focus and strengthening our capability to support people in need well into the future.

With a strong asset base, prudently managed investments and a diversity of income streams (including government funding, corporate sponsorship, donations and social enterprises), Mission Australia is well on the road to becoming financially sustainable.

We minimise overheads through resource economies of scale, avoiding task duplication and ensuring efficient workflows.

Our structure guarantees maximum funding is directed to resources at service level, while ensuring value for money by offering central Human Resource (HR) and asset management, Information Technology (IT) and financial support.

These core teams have been set up to absorb further business growth without adding costs.

Surplus funds in our divisions are used to top up services with limited funds or are held in trust to ensure the longevity of key programs relied upon by Australians in need.

Our housing grants and the 2011 surplus
While Mission Australia reported a surplus of almost $125 million in the 2011 financial year, this figure includes the value of the 494 dwellings transferred to MA Housing through the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan Stage 2.

This is a non-cash component, representing $106 million of the total surplus. However, as of 30 June 2011, our actual cash balance – or “money in the bank” – was $9 million.

At the same time we had $19 million in loans, including $10.8 million borrowed to purchase social housing properties, in accordance with the terms of a New South Wales Land and Housing Corporation grant. As such, we must continue to astutely manage and grow our resources if we are to support 500,000 people a year by 2020.

• For an overview of our financial records, including information on grants received by MA Housing, see our Concise Financial Report 2011.

We’re Green@Heart
Recognising the reality of climate change, in 2011 Mission Australia made a concerted effort to decrease our impact on the environment. In October we launched our Green@Heart sustainability program, which aims to build a stronger understanding of the environmental impact of our measurable transport use.

We also provided services designed to help those we support to adapt to new social and environmental realities. And social enterprises such as Big Heart op shops and Soft Landing, which recycles mattress components, and Urban Renewal in Victoria, provided pathways to employment and a greener future.

• Learn more about how we are prudently managing our resources in the ‘A sustainable future’ section of the Annual Report.

Further information

• Chair and CEO Report
• Summary of our year
• Mission Australia Annual Report 2011 (including our Concise Financial Report) 
• Mission Australia Financial Report 2011

Lead experts in our fields
By advocating for disadvantaged people, influencing government, developing outstanding managers and engaging with the Christian community.

Service excellence
By striving for best practice and involving our clients and communities in service development, we will deliver better outcomes for disadvantaged Australians.

Working smarter
By working smarter we will be more effective, better serve people and deliver value for money for all our stakeholders.

 
Go back to Annual Report 2011