Research shows money remains the biggest challenge to pursuing a passion

According to new research from the AMP Foundation, close to a third of Australians (31 per cent) who are working on a passion project are doing so to try to change the world.

When asked what drives them to pursue a passion, almost a fifth of Aussies (18.4 per cent) say they are motivated by personal or family experiences.

However, around a quarter (26 per cent) are not actively doing anything to pursue an area of interest they are passionate about.

Money is the biggest obstacle, with 38 per cent of people surveyed identifying it as the main barrier to pursuing their passion. This was followed by a lack of time (30.7 per cent), then a lack of knowledge (8.7 per cent) and connections (8.3 per cent).

The AMP Foundation is once again offering $1 million in Tomorrow Fund grants to help Australians make a positive impact on the community. Open to individuals of all ages, working on any field, the annual program offers grants of between $5,000 and $100,000.

After six years of the Tomorrow Fund, AMP Foundation Head Helen Liondos knows that a well-timed financial boost can take these passion projects to the next level – providing amazing Australians with the validation and encouragement to keep going.

“Aussies are altruistic but access to funding is inhibiting them from being the change they want to see in the world,” said Ms Liondos. “So many Australians want to achieve great things but need financial support to make it happen. 

 “At the AMP Foundation, we want to take the complexity out of accessing funding and support talented individuals who are committed to building a better tomorrow. Whether it’s for training, travel or equipment, the Tomorrow Fund provides grants to Australians from all walks of life working in a wide range of fields - from disability advocacy to medical research, sport to art and everything in between.

“There’s a wonderful ripple effect, with these amazing Australians – who we call Tomorrow Makers – going on to inspire others in their community to follow their lead.”

Applications for AMP’s Tomorrow Fund are now open until 15 April. 

Visit www.ampstomorrowfund.com.au for your chance to secure up to $100,000 in funding.

About AMP’s Tomorrow Fund

AMP’s Tomorrow Fund is an initiative of the AMP Foundation, which is AMP’s philanthropic arm. The annual grants program aims to support determined individuals who are working hard on a project that will benefit the community, but need help to take it to the next level.

Each year, AMP’s Tomorrow Fund awards grants of up to $100,000 for a wide range of activities, including training, travel costs, living expenses, research or small business funding. So far, 267 grants totalling $6 million have been awarded.

For more news about the grants program and this year’s inspirational AMP Tomorrow Makers, as well as our past recipients, follow Twitter @ampfoundation and Facebook.com/ampaustralia.

About the AMP Foundation

The AMP Foundation is the main vehicle through which AMP invests in the community. Since 1992, it has distributed more than $100 million to the community.

Its goal is to help create a better tomorrow for everyone, by investing in non-profit initiatives and supporting individuals – including AMP employees and advisors – to do great things in the community.