Community

Evolution is committed to giving back to the community and is actively involved with organisations that aim to make a difference in the lives of many. Here is a glimpse of some of the ways we go about our community engagement and corporate responsibility. In addition we run regular Christmas and Easter giving and morning teas to support community causes in immediate need. We are actively involved with Surfest and run the annual Evolution Charity Cup.

The Evolution Charity Cup

The Evolution Charity Cup is more than a surfing competition—it’s a celebration of community spirit and a commitment to making a real difference. Each year, as part of the Surfest calendar, we rally together to raise awareness and funds for a local charity that truly matters.

Our Mission

From day one, our goal has been clear: support charities born in the Hunter region, dedicated to helping local people, and committed to ensuring that the majority of funds go directly to those in need. Transparency and accountability are non-negotiable—every charity we partner with is ACNC registered, up-to-date with submissions, and endorsed by the ATO with DGR status.

Why We Focus on One Charity

To create lasting impact, we dedicate three years to each charity. This approach allows us to build awareness in the first year and amplify fundraising efforts in the second and third.

Our

  • Evolution is proud to be a member of the Count Charitable Foundation (CCF). As part of this membership, we support not for profit organisations and initiatives which make a positive and lasting difference to the wellbeing of vulnerable people in the communities in which we live and work. The CCF was founded in May 2004 as a private ancillary fund by Count Financial Limited together with Joy & Barry Lambert (founder of Count). The CCF was established to support Count Members and Staff in their philanthropic endeavours and help them make a significant difference in their communities. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated over $10 million to Member nominated charities.

  • $200,000, to date (2023-2025) has been raised through the Evolution Charity Cup.

    Hope In A Suitcase was the recipient of Evolution fundraising for the 2023 & 2024 Evolution Charity Cup’s, Evolution will continue our support of this charity throughout 2025. Hope in a Suitcase is a non-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers and through donations of new items from the community. Their aim is to provide children across Australia, entering foster care or out-of-home care, something to call their own. To send them a message that they are important and cared for by our community. To encourage self-care by providing new essential items such as a toothbrush, toiletries, hairbrush, underwear and sanitary items for the older girls. A pair of pyjamas and a change of clothes. A teddy to cuddle. A journal or colouring in book and pencils to encourage creativity, and a toy to provide a distraction away from their turmoil.

  • $350,000, to date (2018-2022) has been raised through the Evolution Charity Cup.

    The Mark Hughes Foundation has been the recipient of Evolution fundraising for several years, thanks to the Evolution Charity Cup. The Mark Hughes Foundation was founded when Mark was diagnosed with brain cancer. To date the foundation has raised over $30 million and funded; a Brain Cancer Biobank, Travel Grants, and multiple research projects around Australia including three Fellowships and multiple Brain Cancer Care Coordinators with the assistance of supporters and volunteers.

  • Zara’s house is a Refugee women and children centre located in Jesmond NSW. Their goal is to be a “place of women that alleviates social exclusion, where refugees women meet Australian women, share hospitality, ideas, culture, learning and local opportunities”. Zara’s house provides a number of services including English conversation and literacy education, Child-minding whilst mothers attend classes and group gatherings, special schooling for children with little to no English and no experience of schooling and learning to name a few.

  • Hunter Surf Life Saving is part of Surf Life Saving Association Australia which is responsible for helping to save the lives of many Australians. The hunter branch in particular has played a vital role in “the shaping of the Surf Life Saving Movement of today”. The club encourages people to get involved and learn how to become a life guard, hosts numerous carnivals across its various clubs, provides education and runs a nippers program

  • Hunter Rescue Helicopter Service is an amazing 24-7 lifesaving service that relies heavily on fundraising, corporate donations and public donations through public raffles and actions such as local bingo games every week to operate. Tasked by NSW Ambulance from Triple calls, westpac crews draw from extensive experience and training to respond to missions for those who are injured or or requiring urgent specialist care, this may include babies who are just minutes old, to people requiring medical treatment to trauma assistance, search and rescues, to which extractions from terrain or inaccessible areas.

    The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is here for the community and Evolution wants to be here for them but donating to their outstanding work.