New cafe in Martin Place, Portal, to donate all profit to charity

Imagine if your daily coffee and smashed avocado could make a real difference to Australian communities less fortunate than your own.

Nicolas Degryse is co-founder of the social enterprise, Portal, that will give 100 % of its profits to charity. Picture: Monique Harmer.

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IMAGINE if your daily coffee and smashed avocado could make a real difference to Australian communities less fortunate than your own.

Portal, who have just opened up in Martin Place, are doing just that.

The new cafe is a project run by The Pure Collective — a community of social enterprises that donate 100 per cent of their profits to charities and causes.

Co-founder Nicolas Degryse said the project was made possible by Charter Hall Property Group, who have donated the space to them as part of their 1 per cent donated property initiative.

Nicolas is a co-founder of the social enterprise that will give 100 per cent of its profits to charity. Guests can choose from one of three charities as part of their dining experience. Picture: Monique Harmer.

The venue will operate from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

It operates with the philosophy, ‘for love not money’.

“The whole purpose of Portal is to incorporate giving into your daily practices,” Mr Degryse said.

“People can go about their routine and give back to others less fortunate at the same time.

“We have an incredible chef in the kitchen, Michal Siudeja, so the dream is for people to drop in just to enjoy his food and take a moment to think about the impact they can make through the meal they’ve consumed.”

Nicolas Degryse pictured in his new restaurant in Martin Place called Portal. Picture: Monique Harmer.

Mr Degryse said once the cafe’s general expenses are covered, every dollar of profit is allocated to charity.

“We’re working with three charities right now,” he said.

Of those is Eat Up, an organisation that provides lunches to Australian children who would otherwise go without.

One of the dishes served at Portal, Martin Place.

Blue Dragon, who rescue children from slavery and human trafficking in Vietnam and Rural Aid, who supports rural Australian communities.

Mr Degryse said Portal will also hire and train refugees.

Seasonal salad. Change weekly Roasted cauliflower, quinoa, raisin sec, pumpkin, toasted seeds, one of the dishes on the menu at Portal. Picture: Monique Harmer.

“Right now on the floor, our trainee waitress is from our Symbols of Hope refugee program,” Mr Degryse said.

“We’ve supported several refugees in the past 12 months through this initiative in partnership with the Salvation Army.”

He said many of their staff have run their own businesses back home and have tertiary degrees, but were forced to leave from civil war, prejudice and persecution.

Mr Degryse hopes the ecumulative donation efforts across all venues in the Pure Collective to impact 1 million people in need by 2025

“All have had to leave their families behind, two of them had to leave their children with extended family,” he said.

“They are intelligent, resilient, determined people, who have fallen into disadvantage through circumstances beyond their control.

New cafe, Portal in Martin Place.

“It is a powerful lesson in gratitude to simply be in their presence.”

Mr Degryse said the skills they learn at Portal will prepare them for future employment.

“We would love our cumulative donation efforts across all venues in the Pure Collective to impact 1 million people in need by 2025.”