Community engagement in New Zealand

We are also committed to supporting and engaging with the communities in which we operate. We consider our community relationships an essential element of our business.

Community liaison and support

Good relationships with our neighbours rely on effective communication. Mobil seeks to communicate with the local community and relevant community organisations on operational issues and to support organisations that promote community development.

Philanthropy New Zealand

Mobil is a supporter of Philanthropy New Zealand which is a national membership association for philanthropists and grant makers. Philanthropy New Zealand works to promote effective philanthropy and grant making by supporting members and providing leadership and a facilitative environment.

Emergency assistance

Following the devastating earthquakes in Christchurch in September 2010 and February 2011, Mobil donated $300,000 to the Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Appeal to help provide emergency support to individuals and families who suffered hardship.

Volunteering

One of the most effective and rewarding ways that we can contribute to our local communities is through our employees.

Mobil has taken a proactive approach to encourage and support employee participation in the community through our Volunteer Involvement Program.

Volunteer Involvement Program

Mobil's Volunteer Involvement Program supports the volunteer work of employees who give their personal time to community organisations. Mobil offers employees who are involved as volunteers the opportunity to apply for $1,000 grants to assist the organisations they volunteer with.

Schools, scouts, kindergartens, conservation groups and welfare organisations have all benefited from Mobil’s VIP donations since the program was introduced in 2004.

Education

As a science and technology based company, we understand the important role education plays in all aspects of our business and the community. We recognize the essential role that proficiency in math and science plays in the energy business and in facilitating human progress more generally.

Mobil has proactively provided support to local schools in areas where we operate to promote science and math education. The schools have used Mobil funding to purchase computers, iPads and maths and science equipment.

Environment

Mobil's commitment to environmental responsibility goes beyond compliance with regulatory requirements. It is our long-standing policy to conduct business in a manner that considers both the environmental and economic needs of the communities in which we operate.

Mobil also contributes funds to community organisations that conduct important environmental, conservation and education programs.

New Zealand Marine Studies Centre

The NZ Marine Studies Centre and Aquarium (University of Otago) at Dunedin, is a leader in marine science community education and research. Mobil has provided funds to support the Marine Studies Centre to develop new community education resources focused on promoting an awareness of the coastal environment. The Rocky Shore Guides for the North and South Island, marine coloring book and teacher/student marine activity book are of interest to schools, families, coastal organisations and conservation groups.

Learn more about NZ Marine Studies Centre.

Health and safety

Mobil is committed to conducting its business in a manner that protects the safety and health of our employees, contractors, customers and the public. We strive for an incident-free workplace and have set a global safety and health goal of zero injuries and illnesses. We believe that our commitment to safe, secure and incident free operations will contribute to improved operations, greater reliability, lower costs and higher productivity. Mobil reflects these work policies by also supporting community organisations that aim to promote good health and safety.

Automobile Association

Mobil has partnered with the Automobile Association (AA) for many years, supporting initiatives to help improve road safety. The highest risk period for every driver is when they first start driving alone and Mobil and the AA have worked together to produce a ‘Going Solo’ resource for parents and young drivers to help reduce their crash risks.

Safekids Aotearoa

Safekids Aotearoa is the New Zealand national child injury prevention service working to raise public awareness of child injury issues and to provide information to improve child safety. Mobil has supported Safekids Aotearoa to produce and distribute home safety checklists and posters, including translation into Māori, Samoan, Tongan and Chinese. In addition, Mobil has committed financial support for an innovative new project, the Safekids Whare, a travelling exhibition designed to raise awareness about preventing unintentional child injuries in the home.

Contributions guidelines

Mobil has a long-standing tradition of investing in the community. The program gives priority to local projects that are close to Mobil’s operations and projects that have broad community benefits throughout New Zealand.

Priority interests

• Health (including community safety)
• Education (math and science)
• Environment (coastal conservation and education)
• Community support and volunteering

We seek to fund specific community projects (not general fundraising appeals) with defined budget items. Projects that demonstrate broad community benefits are highly regarded.

Exclusions

The Contributions Program does not support overseas projects, travel grants, political donations, religious donations, individuals, private enterprises, sport (sport teams, sport competitions and sport clubs/organisations), international aid, conferences, ongoing staff salaries, one-off campaigns, multi-sponsor arrangements, organisation operating costs, projects that are ongoing and capital expenses.

The Contributions Program provides financial support only and does not cover fuel donations. We do not provide funds, prizes or fuel vouchers for general fund raising appeals and events including raffles, auctions, fetes, gala nights and team challenges.

To be eligible, community organisations must be not-for-profit/charitable organisations. Commercial ventures or organisations, together with individuals are not eligible for funding.

Our contributions program is not used to promote product sales or specific brand recognition.

We generally do not support local community organisations unless they are geographically located in an area where we have significant facilities or numbers of employees.

Applications

Written requests are required and there are no application forms or deadlines. The assessment process is ongoing from February to November. Applications should be sent to our principle New Zealand office:

Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited
Attention Public Affairs
PO Box 1709
Auckland
New Zealand

Community groups receiving support are required to provide a project report on funded activities and an expenditure statement. New recipients must provide a previously audited financial statement and annual report. A funding agreement is required.

Availability of funds

Funds for new projects are limited. Only a small number of new projects can be supported each year.

Worldwide giving

Exxon Mobil Corporation and ExxonMobil Foundation provide community investments, with major programs including malaria, women’s economic development and science and math. Learn more from ExxonMobil's global Sustainability Report.