At TerraLab, we’ve always believed that our work doesn’t exist in isolation. While we operate as a consulting and technology business, we’re also part of broader communities and we take that responsibility seriously. That belief continues to underpin our Social Policy and long-running donations program.
Our 5-year social plan is designed to ensure that, as TerraLab grows, the positive impact we have grows with it. Rather than treating donations as an afterthought, we’ve embedded giving into the way we do business.
How the Program Works
Our donations program is simple by design. A portion of every hour billed to clients accumulates throughout the year into a shared donations pool. At the end of the year, this pool is allocated across a small number of charities that reflect the values of our team and the nature of the work we do.
This approach ensures that our contributions are consistent, transparent, and directly linked to the work we deliver for our clients. It also allows our team to feel genuinely connected to the organisations we support, rather than donations being made at arm’s length.
Our Current Supported Charities
For the current period, TerraLab’s donations are being directed to the following organisations.
Federation University – Terralab Scholarship
Education remains a core pillar of our social program. TerraLab continues to fund the TerraLab scholarship at Federation University for a Gippsland-based environmental science student experiencing financial hardship.
As a regional business working extensively across regional Victoria, this scholarship is a tangible way to support the next generation of environmental professionals and help reduce barriers to tertiary education.
White Ribbon Australia
White Ribbon Australia works to prevent men’s violence against women by promoting gender equality, respectful relationships, and positive cultural change. Their work focuses on education, advocacy, and engaging men and boys as part of the solution.
Supporting White Ribbon aligns with TerraLab’s commitment to safe, respectful workplaces and communities. It reflects our belief that meaningful change comes from long-term cultural shifts, not just short-term responses.
Children’s Ground
Children’s Ground is a First Nations-led organisation working with communities to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children, families, and communities. Their approach is community-driven, place-based, and focused on long-term systems change across education, health, and wellbeing.
TerraLab’s support for Children’s Ground reflects our respect for Indigenous leadership and knowledge, and our belief that lasting environmental and social outcomes are inseparable from strong, empowered communities.
Edgar’s Mission — Farmed Animal Sanctuary
Edgar’s Mission is a not-for-profit sanctuary for rescued farmed animals with a vision of creating a humane and just world for all. Their mission is rooted in kindness: they provide shelter and direct care for homeless, abused, injured, or abandoned animals, find permanent homes for those they can rehome, and advocate for compassion, understanding and humane treatment of animals. Their core purpose includes education, outreach, and encouraging people to expand their circle of compassion to include all animals. TerraLab’s support enables Edgar’s Mission to continue its life-changing work — caring for animals who have never known love or safety and inspiring the broader community to act with kindness.
Australian Childhood Foundation
The Australian Childhood Foundation is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting children and young people to heal from trauma caused by abuse, neglect, family violence and exploitation. Their work includes specialist therapeutic services, advocacy, and education to help children feel safe, understood, and supported — and to help adults around them build nurturing relationships that foster healing. The Foundation also works to influence broader community attitudes and policies so that all children grow up in environments that protect their wellbeing and development. TerraLab’s support contributes to a stronger safety net for children and families affected by trauma across Australia.
Looking Ahead
Our donations program is intentionally modest, practical, and ongoing. It’s not about one-off gestures, but about steadily contributing to organisations doing meaningful work over the long term.
As TerraLab continues to evolve our commitment to social responsibility remains constant. We see this program as one small but important way of ensuring that the work we do contributes to positive outcomes beyond our immediate projects.
Success, for us, isn’t measured only in deliverables or growth, but in whether we’re leaving things better than we found them.