QBE’s charitable arm, the QBE Foundation, has announced new partnerships with Mission Australia and KidsCan New Zealand.

It will also continue partnerships with Assistance Dogs Australia, Brainwave, Foodbank, the Kids’ Cancer Project, the McGrath Foundation, the Women’s Justice Network and Jawun.

Partners are given a one-off cash donation and a year-long commitment of support.

The Kids’ Cancer Project supports the QBE Foundation Young Researchers Fellowship, which aims to increase treatment options for rare childhood cancers. This year’s research will focus on diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, for which there is no effective treatment.

The foundation has also selected suicide prevention charity R U OK? as a community partner.

COO Bettina Pidcock, who takes over as foundation chairman from Chief HR Officer Sally Kincaid, says QBE is particularly proud to continue working with Jawun, through which corporations help Indigenous people develop skills for the business world.

“This partnership sees our people join with communities of First Nation Peoples around Australia, in locations from Redfern to Cape York and the Kimberley, to share their skills and help build capabilities,” she said.

“Along with bringing lasting, material and immeasurable improvements to the lives of Indigenous people, our people have reported experiences that are humbling and inspiring.”