Welcome to our May 2016 newsletter!
Time is running out to apply to our flagship grants program,
Pathways to Employment. The applications we receive from local organisations reflect the breadth of community work in our region, and each year we invest in as many projects as possible. We know economic participation is just a starting point to prosperity, as people's access to work often relies on whole of community vitality.
That's why we are thrilled that Portland House Foundation is again contributing funds to the program this year. Other donations - large and small - are welcome, with funds directed to support diverse community groups. You can donate to the Pathways to Employment fund
at our website.
Directors and staff are working on our new Strategic Plan 2016-2019, which outlines our approach to building the Foundation as an important resource for Melbourne's Inner North. The Foundation provides a platform for donors and grantees work together to unlock people’s potential, and we look forward to sharing this plan with you later in the year.
We're delighted to again partner with the
Clifton Hill/Fitzroy North Community Branch of the Bendigo Bank to deliver the Young Changemakers Program in 2016. With the help of local volunteers we have expanded to three schools, and we’re speaking about community life beyond the schoolyard with Year 10 students at Northcote High School, Collingwood College and Fitzroy High School. To learn more,
here is the film we made about the project last year.
Ben Rodgers
Executive Officer
Grant update
Last month we opened the
Pathways to Employment Grant Round, a key activity for the Foundation to contribute to prosperous, connected and cohesive communities. If your organisation has a project idea to remove the barriers for people to find work, please get in touch. This year there are Spark Grants for up to $5,000 for new ideas, as well as Single-year project funding of up to $30,000.
Applications close May 27th 2016.
The Community Building Small Grants, a partnership between the Foundation, Scanlon Foundation and Community Hubs Australia,
have been announced. 13 groups received funding to build their capacity, and we thank all who took time to submit an application.
If your group is planning to raise funds through Crowdfunding, the Foundation may be able to help with up to $2,000 for eligible local groups. Find out more
here.
Donor update
Our ninth sub-fund has been established! We’re super excited that the Baker/Hall Literacy Matters Sub-fund will give all kids support to read and write, forever. Read more about the announcement
here.
There are many other ways local people can get involved with our work: