what we do

Our vision is for all young Australians to reach their potential.

The Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) is a purpose-led, not-for-profit organisation. We connect students experiencing lower levels of socio-educational advantage with corporate volunteers from the business world, helping bridge the gap between potential and possibility.

Working in partnership with schools and businesses across Australia, we’re committed to building confidence, aspiration and career pathways for young people who may not have access to professional networks or resources.

Volunteers from our member companies support students in fully facilitated, workplace-based mentoring programs which develop students’ confidence, skills and aspirations – vital for thriving in the workplace of the future.

How ABCN is different

While many organisations offer one-off volunteering days or general community projects, ABCN is the only national not-for-profit dedicated to connecting Australian businesses with schools in under-resourced communities through structured, skills-based mentoring.

Through facilitated employee volunteering opportunities, our programs expand students’ networks, build transferable skills and open doors to future career pathways. By focusing on education equity, ABCN strengthens opportunities for young people to thrive, while supporting businesses to deliver on their ESG, employee engagement and workforce development goals.

ABCN turns corporate volunteering into a collective investment in Australia’s future workforce.

There are two parts of our organisation – ABCN and the ABCN Foundation.

ABCN

Established in 2005, ABCN is a network of 50+ companies and partner organisations from corporate Australia and 200+ partner schools that, together, deliver mentoring programs to students. More than 200,000 students and 60,000 corporate volunteers have participated in our initiatives since inception.

Our mentoring programs vary from one-off day events to regular sessions spread over several months. Read more about our suite of programs here.

Our high school mentoring programs are typically held in the offices of our member companies, providing students with exposure to the business world and corporate mentors.

Our primary school mentoring programs are held on site in classrooms, with corporate volunteers from our member companies visiting our partner schools.

As well as our student mentoring programs, we support students and our schools through a range of school/business partnerships and other initiatives such as workplace tours, class-based industry talks, technology expos and principal/business leader co-mentoring programs.

ABCN and its programs are funded by our member companies. Learn more here about how your business can join our network.

ABCN Foundation

The ABCN Foundation was established in 2013. We award mentoring and financial scholarships to high-potential students whose disadvantage impacts their ability to complete school and pursue tertiary pathways. We have awarded 270 scholarships across Australia since inception.

Our scholarship program provides corporate mentoring and financial relief to scholars for three years, over Years 11, 12 and the first year of tertiary education, employment or training.

We tap into the ABCN network to connect with the students who need our help the most and provide them with access to corporate mentors and opportunities.

Read more about the ABCN Foundation and our scholarship program here.

The ABCN Foundation is a separate entity to ABCN and relies wholly on philanthropic support and donations. You can support a young person and help us change their future by donating here.

Watch as ABCN welcomed our new foundation scholars in April 2022. We enjoyed celebrating the network’s success face-to-face after nearly three years.