As Holman Hodge approached a decade in business, the team saw an opportunity to make a bigger impact.
As an Adelaide-based accounting and financial services firm, they’d spent years helping clients build strong financial futures. Now, they’re looking to take that impact beyond the balance sheet.
“We wanted to partner with not-for-profit organisations to help them achieve their objectives — not just through financial contributions, but by volunteering our time and building genuine, long-term relationships,” says Director Graeme Hodge.
That thinking led to the creation of the Holman Hodge Community Fund in 2025 — a structured approach designed to deliver meaningful support.
“I’ve seen a lot of funds start off with good intentions and either run out of steam or fail to genuinely connect with their partners. We didn’t want to do that,” Graeme says.
The Fund was set up as a sub-fund under Foundation SA, with the Australian Communities Foundation supporting behind the scenes.
“It removed a lot of the administrative burden,” Graeme says. “We could focus on the partnerships, rather than the compliance.”
The model enables staff to contribute financially — including through salary sacrificing — to organisations selected by the Fund’s committee: Multicultural Youth South Australia (MYSA) and Nonna’s Cucina.
From the outset, the focus has been on connection. A launch event brought Holman Hodge staff together to meet both organisations, creating space to share stories, hear directly from their clients, and build understanding.
That early connection quickly translated into hands-on impact through volunteering. Staff have supported MYSA students through homework programs and worked alongside Nonna’s Cucina to deliver meals to vulnerable community members.
“Everyone who has volunteered so far has really enjoyed it,” says Krista. “Each staff member can access one paid day per year to volunteer. We don’t force people to use it, but those who have gone have wanted to go back again.”
Giving hasn’t just supported the community — it’s strengthened the team’s own sense of purpose and connection at work, too.
“We considered where the balance of power should lie — with the organisations we are supporting. They know how to deliver their goals, our role is to back them.” — Graeme Hodge, Director, Holman Hodge
For organisations considering a similar approach, both Graeme and Krista are quick to point out that structure and mindset matter.
“We established a charter early on, which set clear criteria around how we support others,” Graeme says. “We considered where the balance of power should lie — with the organisations we are supporting. They know how to deliver their goals, our role is to back them.”
Krista encourages others to explore the support available at Foundation SA. “There can be a lot of barriers to setting up something like this, but partnering with a foundation makes it much simpler.”
While still in its early stages, Holman Hodge’s ambition for the Fund is clear: to welcome more staff, clients and partners to join, support more organisations, and show how giving — whether it’s time, skills or funding — can make a meaningful impact for everyone involved.
Have you considered giving through your business? Engage your team, align with purpose and contribute to community impact.
