Local non-profits will benefit from a decision by US-based commercial property insurer FM Global to make pandemic relief donations worth $US1 million ($1.54 million) worldwide.

The company will contribute $US50,000 ($75,000) to 20 non-profit organisations chosen by each of FM Global’s offices.

Six organisations across Australia and New Zealand will benefit: the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, the Australian Red Cross, the St Vincent de Paul Society, Kidscan NZ, Drought Angels and Foodbank.

FM Global has also pledged to “double-match" donations made by its employees and retirees to COVID-19 relief efforts.

“The local communities where we do business have all been afflicted by the coronavirus and so we are asking our employees, who know best where funds can make the biggest difference, to choose which local nonprofit organisations receive donations,” CEO Thomas Lawson said.