Google philanthropy aims to make a difference

The Google.org Impact Challenge will be run in Australia for the third time, in 2018.

Google has previously provided $5 million in funding for 10 non-profit organisations, in an effort to develop innovations that make the lives of people around the world easier.

Organisations that received the funding include George Institute for Global Health, which is creating an SMS-based support service to help people with chronic diseases lead healthier lives, and the Centre for Eye Research Australia, with an eyesight self-assessment system for Australians in remote areas.

Through additional funding, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation is protecting coral reef ecosystems though a low-cost, autonomous robot designed to monitor, map, manage and preserve coral reef ecosystems, while The Nature Conservancy Australia is deploying mobile technology to protect global fish stocks.

“In 2018 we will hold Australia’s third Google Impact Challenge, with a minimum funding commitment of $5 million, inviting charities and non-profits to propose technology-driven solutions to challenges facing our society,” said Jason Pellegrino, Google Australia managing director.

“Working with prominent Australians to judge submissions, and inviting the public to vote on their favourite projects, we will select another 10 projects to support with funding and resources from Google.

“Normally we only do an Impact Challenge once, but we have been impressed by the calibre of the ideas and the teams that came forward. The ideas in Australia are not only the best innovators all across Australia, but on par with any of the best innovation ideas we’ve seen globally.”

Google aims to continue to assist all Australians in making a safer, more inclusive society for everyone.

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