The Greater Shepparton Foundation builds partnerships and collaborations to connect the needs of the local community with essential resources and skills to tackle and disrupt the cycle of disadvantage. The Foundation Features series will help shine a light on those driving change through innovative initiatives, as well as highlight community organisations that align with the foundation’s purpose.
Greater Shepparton Foundation announced the grant recipients of its 2023 Small Grants round at an event in late August.
This year, in response to community needs, we doubled the amount of funding available per eligible project.
We also added two focus areas to support flood recovery and the cost-of-living crisis.
The interest in our grant program this year was overwhelming, with a large number of applications received.
Our independent grants advisory committee, made up of participants of the Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Program and GSF board members, did a wonderful job shortlisting and assessing all applications to ensure the projects met our selection criteria and delivered a solution to our community’s needs.
The 17 successful applicants that will share grants totalling $98,878 include ASHE, Caroline Chisholm Society, Crazy Ideas College, Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District, Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative, Black Eagles Basketball Club, Victorian Aboriginal Services Association, Goulburn Valley Seniors Association, Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project, Rotary Club of Shepparton South, Kialla Golf Club, Umoja Empowerment Group, Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre, South Shepparton Community Centre, Shepparton Festival, Neighbourhood House Murchison and Well Wise Women.
The event was a chance to profile the amazing work these local organisations are undertaking in our community and connect and learn from each other.
We will be profiling these organisations and projects that are leading place-based positive change in our community on our Facebook page in the coming weeks so if you don’t already, please follow our Facebook page to read more.
Funds will be distributed to projects supporting youth, ageing well, flood recovery, multicultural programs, youth events, meals programs, cultural festivals, art projects and First Nation cultural connection programs and events.
Funding for our Small Grant Program this year is made possible by donations received through our End of Financial Year Appeal and for those projects that support flood recovery, funding was received via our Community Flood Recovery Campaign.
Our grants program not only allows us to support community-led projects that meet an immediate need, it also provides us with valuable insight into the pressing needs in the Greater Shepparton community and where we might be able to assist in the future.
To read more about the projects we have supported in the past, please visit the ‘Small Grants’ page on our website www.greatershepparton.foundation
Until next time
Amanda McCulloch
Greater Shepparton Foundation executive officer