MetLife Foundation supports domestic violence victims through DV Safe Phone

MetLife Foundation today announced DV Safe Phone as the first Australian recipient of its Community Impact Grant Program (CIGP). CIGP supports local, grassroots non-profit organisations providing immediate assistance to communities impacted by the growing income and wealth divide.

DV Safe Phone collects, repairs and gives free mobile phones to domestic violence survivors, through over 360 domestic violence and law enforcement agencies, safe houses and hospitals across Australia.

It is estimated that 2.2 million adults in Australia have experienced violence from a partner and one in six women have experienced physical/sexual violence and/or economic abuse¹. DV Safe Phone’s mission is to empower domestic violence victims to live safe, connected lives through sustainable technology solutions.

Additionally, the organisation reduces environmental impact by giving mobile phones a second life and keeping them out of landfill by repurposing used devices. Since the charity was launched in 2020, more than 10,000 mobile phones have been refurbished and given to domestic violence victim/survivors, through registered domestic violence and law enforcement agencies.

MetLife Foundation CIGP funding will distribute 970 phones to those in need. DV Safe Phone Founder and CEO Ashton Wood said, “We’re thrilled that the grant from MetLife Foundation will expand the number of people we can help. Mobile phones have become part of everyday life and are an important tool for staying connected to basic services and accessing support. Having a reliable, secure phone is a critical piece of the puzzle for those reestablishing their lives following domestic violence.”

In addition to the grant, MetLife Australia will work with DV Safe Phone to provide employee volunteer support, education on domestic violence and gift pre-loved phones to be refurbished.

CIGP was first launched in 2023 to deepen the Foundation’s impact and involvement in communities where MetLife has a presence, by focusing on these areas and having MetLife employee volunteers assist in reviewing grant applications.

Since its start, CIGP has awarded a total of $2.6 million across 16 cities in the U.S. and six countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia. All grants awarded focus on one of CIGP’s strategic areas ─ hunger relief and nutrition, physical and mental well-being, environmental sustainability and quality of life.

“We created CIGP to address the pressing and ongoing issues facing our communities, identify new non-profit partners and engage MetLife employees who volunteer to review and help make recommendations of the grants,” said Tia Hodges, President and CEO of MetLife Foundation and Head of Corporate Giving and Employee Volunteerism at MetLife. “The success of the program has allowed us to grow the impact of the Foundation’s ongoing grantmaking and impact investments.”

For the latest list of CIGP recipients and information on MetLife Foundation, visit MetLife.org.

Reference

1.  FDSV summary - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

DV Safe Phone collects, repurposes and gifts mobile phones to victims of domestic violence (DV) through registered charities, safe houses and authorities serving this vulnerable community. Our Safe Phones are then provided as part of an individual's 'safe' or 'escape' plan' offering a lifeline to call for help when it is needed most.

At MetLife Foundation, we are committed to driving inclusive economic mobility. We collaborate with nonprofit organisations and provide grants aligned to three strategic focus areas – economic inclusion, financial health and resilient communities – while engaging MetLife employee volunteers to help drive impact. MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 to continue MetLife’s long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement.

MetLife Insurance Limited (MetLife), an affiliate of MetLife, Inc., is a specialist provider of life insurance to superannuation trustees, employers and financial advisers in Australia. MetLife has expertise in designing holistic insurance solutions to meet the needs of its customer groups, which includes the award winning 360Health program. MetLife has been providing life insurance products in Australia since 2005. For more information, visit metlife.com.au. 

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help individual and institutional customers build a more confident future. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit metlife.com.