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.
As we near Christmas and the end of the year it is timely we reflect on the triumphs and challenges the Greater Shepparton community has faced, particularly in the past three months.
Natural disasters, such as the flooding event, bring communities together to respond and support one another. Foundations like ours have an important role to play in listening and supporting community response, being agile and timely in our support and partnering to create change.
The Greater Shepparton Community Flood Campaign continues to raise much-needed funds for the flood response efforts, and it is Greater Shepparton Foundation’s intention to distribute these funds to support the community as quickly as possible.
Donors can be confident that their contribution will achieve its intended purpose, as Greater Shepparton Foundation is an independent administrator of the funds and takes no fees from generous contributions. One hundred per cent of tax deductible donations go directly to supporting the flood recovery efforts.
Just shy of $70,000 has been distributed to support the response efforts to date, with Shepparton Family and Financial Services, Point of Difference Studio, Giz A Break and OzChild worthy recipients to continue their valuable work supporting those impacted by the floods.
In order to further support the community response, Greater Shepparton Foundation will open a Flood Recovery Grant Round on December 16, with the grant round remaining open until January 27. If you operate in the flood recovery space, or have a project in mind, please get in touch to discuss how we might be able to assist.
If you would like to make a donation to support the continuing flood response efforts, you can via our website, https://www.greatershepparton.foundation/donate
Greater Shepparton Foundation forged a partnership with GIVIT and local primary schools to support flood-affected families this Christmas. GIVIT is a not-for-profit organisation that matches generosity with genuine need.
Recognising many families are staying in temporary accommodation or with friends and family, the GIVIT Together This Christmas campaign encourages donors to support the purchase of gift vouchers to allow families to select items suitable for their children, and situation.
This national campaign has already generated over $2000 in donations, which will go a long way towards supporting families who have lost their homes and belongings this Christmas.
As we look to the year ahead, and welcome new chair Mark DePaola and deputy chair Julia Thomas, elected at our AGM in early December, we reconfirm the commitment to our vision for ‘inclusive, interconnected communities where everybody has equal opportunity to participate’.
Much of the work we have done this year is reflected through the pages of our 2022 annual report. I encourage you to read the report to learn more about the work Greater Shepparton Foundation is doing in direct response to the community’s needs.
To read the 2022 Greater Shepparton Foundation Annual Report go to the ‘About’ page at www.greatershepparton.foundation
Finally Greater Shepparton Foundation will be taking a short break over the Christmas period, closing from December 23 to January 3. We look forward to catching up with you in the new year.
Stay safe this festive season,
Amanda McCulloch
Greater Shepparton Foundation executive officer