Now in its 21st year, the Foundation remains the philanthropic heart of the Count network, transforming professional success into practical support for vulnerable and at-risk Australians. 

Established in 2004, by founders Barry and Joy Lambert, the Foundation was designed to create lasting, intergenerational impact. It is expected that this year the Count Foundation will have distributed more than $15.2 million to member-nominated charities nationwide, with beneficiaries including but not limited to RSPCA Australia, Lifeline Australia, Stand Tall, Red Cross Disaster Appeals, Emerge Foundation, Epilepsy Action and The Salvation Army Australia. 

“The Foundation was created to share our success with those less fortunate in our community,” Mr Lambert said. “We wanted to ensure our giving was permanent, not short-term, and could support communities for generations.” 

A matched-giving model that amplifies impact 

A key feature of CCF is its matched-giving model. Donations made by Members to approved charities are matched by the Foundation, up to a defined annual level per firm. 

Because the level of matching is directly linked to each Member’s contribution, local giving is amplified, helping every dollar go further and increasing the overall impact within the community. 

Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, funding is directed to member-nominated charities, keeping support closely connected to the communities where Count operates. The model leverages the Foundation’s capital base to amplify individual contributions. 

Giving that connects business and community 

For Shannon Smit, Director at Smart Business Solutions and 2025 recipient of the CCF Barry Lambert Award - recognising outstanding fundraising and volunteer efforts by a firm and its staff - the Foundation has made structured giving both accessible and impactful. 

“For me, supporting CCF comes back to one simple belief: business should give back to the communities that support it,” Ms Smit said. “Using CCF has amplified our donations - we put money in and, like magic, it increases.” 

“At Smart Business Solutions, success is measured by impact, not just profit. CCF connected us to community events and opportunities in ways a cheque alone never could.” 

That local connection is echoed by CCF Ambassador, Phil Smith, Managing Director at Hunter Financial. 

“We see every day how access to the right support, education and opportunity can change the trajectory of someone’s life,” Mr Smith said. “Partnering with the Foundation allows us to align our commercial success with purposeful action and create impact beyond our clients.” 

He added that the collective nature of the Foundation makes the experience particularly rewarding. 

“Knowing our shared efforts are helping change lives and strengthen communities creates a real sense of purpose across our business.” 

Record-breaking impact across Australia 

The CCF focuses on initiatives that deliver real, measurable outcomes, primarily across medical research, education, training and employment and community welfare and social wellbeing. In FY25 alone, donations supported critical causes including flood relief efforts in the Manning River region, financial literacy programs with Wesley Mission, and vital services delivered by Cerebral Palsy Alliance. 

More recently, the Foundation swiftly made a $10,000 contribution to the Dor Foundation to support to the Jewish community and rebuilding efforts following the Bondi terrorist attack. 

“Contributing to the community is now part of our culture and reputation,” Ms Smit said. “CCF gives us a meaningful way to turn connection into action - and that authenticity resonates with clients who share our values.” 

Built for today and the future 

Backed by a corpus approaching $25 million, the Foundation distributes five per cent annually, ensuring support is impactful today while remaining sustainable for future generations. 

In addition to the matched-giving model, Members can make a monthly contribution that CCF currently triples, accelerating their ability to give and significantly expanding the pool of funds available for meaningful community donations. 

“Giving becomes powerful when people feel personally connected to it,” Ms Smit said. “I’ve seen charity events bring teams closer, deepen client relationships and shift conversations from purely business to something more meaningful.” 

For those new to philanthropy, Mr Smith encourages starting simply. 

“Start small, support causes that matter to you and think long term. The Foundation provides trusted governance and the ability to pool resources, giving confidence that contributions are creating lasting change.” 

With FY25 marking a record-breaking year, the Count Charitable Foundation continues to demonstrate the power of collective action - proving that when professionals unite behind a shared purpose, their impact can extend far beyond the workplace. 

Building on this momentum, CCF is set to distribute $1.2 million in FY26, further strengthening its commitment to meaningful, long-term community impact.