Foundations Unite for Small Grants Program
21 January 2014 at 8:23 am
Three philanthropic organisations have committed $30,000 to a small grants program aimed at cultural and linguistically diverse groups in inner north Melbourne.
The Scanlon Foundation, which is focused on enhancing social cohesion within Australia, and migrant and refugee Not for Profit Refuge of Hope created the program to be managed by the philanthropic trust Inner North Community Foundation.
The grants program aims to boost small, struggling or emerging grassroots groups that assist people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds within the Melbourne municipalities of Moreland, Darebin and Yarra.
Community groups with a revenue of less than $500,000 can apply for a grant of up to $5,000 for operating or capacity building needs.
“We know how difficult it is for very small grassroots groups to cover basic costs just so they can get started or stay in operation,” Sophie Duggan, Executive Trustee of the Scanlon Foundation, said.
“The grants program is to help take the pain out of base costs, but more importantly to help build the capacity of many worthy groups so they can improve and continue their deep reaching work.”
Grant applications can include costs for office equipment and direct aid, IT support including website development and software improvement, professional development opportunities such as conference registration, consultancy or financial counselling.
“Small grants like these can often transform grassroots organisations if the money is put towards training and education to improve skills and efficiencies,” Vice President of Refuge of Hope, Tony Fry, said.
Chairman of the Inner North Community Foundation, Kevin Breen, said the program injected valuable and much needed funds to help address issues of social cohesion and cultural diversity for Melbourne’s inner north.
The Inner North Community Foundation is a philanthropic trust that supports people in Moreland, Yarra and Darebin by funding programs with a focus on breaking down barriers to employment in the region.
It has invested more than $1.1 million in the local community, and supported more than 75 community projects since it was established in 2008.
The small grants program will take submissions up until February 27.
For more information call (03) 8689 1967 or visit www.innernorthfoundation.org.au
