The Wise Foundation is the charitable foundation of the Wise Family. The foundation creates economic solutions to social problems, believing that business people applying business principles to these problems can provide powerful solutions. Since 1983 the Wise family has initiated, developed and operated many social projects with the purpose of strengthening communities. Inspired by Dame Anita Rod
dick, founder of The Body Shop (which the Wise family brought to Australia in 1983 and sold to The Body Shop International in 2014) we have strived to apply the principles we hold to all the activities we undertake and businesses we operate. We believe that business is about more than economic success. A great business should also balance the needs of the stakeholders as well as create positive social and environmental change. These three key responsibilities form the business principles by which we operate the Wise Foundation. Our focus for social projects has been in our immediate environment in Australia and our close neighbours in the South Pacific and East Timor. The Wise Foundation proudly supports a number of projects, including:
The Gardens Club
The restored, heritage-listed Curator's Cottage in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens has been converted into a unique café and venue for social occasions, weddings and business events. As well as providing opportunity for individuals facing barriers to employment, our profits support Wise Foundation initiatives that create positive change through creative social enterprise models. thegardensclub.com.au
Wise Barista Program
This social enterprise is aimed at training individuals facing barriers to employment to become baristas. Working with our recruitment partner, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, we are providing training and experience and a pathway to enable rapid acceptance into the hospitality industry. The Wise Barista Program has potential to provide a widely accepted platform into a growing employment area. https://www.facebook.com/Wise-Barista-Program-219905918754663/
Village Bookshop
Located in Noosa Heads, Village Bookshop operates as a 'profit-for-purpose' business, with a focus on strengthening community through economic solutions. Book clubs, children's reading time, author events and local working bees are only a handful of ways we are bringing the community of Noosa together. villagebookshop.com.au
Bee Lafaek
Bee Lafaek ("Crocodile Water") is building community resilience and social stability through economic development and the improvement of community health and education in Timor Leste. Potable and verifiable quality bottled water is sold to private customers by young entrepreneurs who are recruited, trained and supported to own and operate their own Bee Lafaek kiosk under a license agreement. https://www.facebook.com/beelafaek/
Past Projects - http://www.wisefoundation.com.au/what-we-do/past-projects/
