Connecting communities across Australia

Ecstra Foundation announces $1,000,000 grants in partnership with 10 Community Foundations across the country.

During this time of national and global economic uncertainty, local community connections are vital for the health and wellbeing of Australians. Community Foundations are leading by example, supporting their local residents through projects targeting physical, mental and financial resilience and wellbeing.

Ecstra is empowering 10 Community Foundations with $100,000 each to create and scale initiatives which address issues of financial exclusion and economic equality in their communities. These grants acknowledge Community Foundations’ unique ability to execute whole of community projects and to create long term impact through local projects.

CEO of Ecstra Foundation, Caroline Stewart explains that Community Foundations contribute to the distinct culture of a local community “Local leaders know their communities and are best placed to decide how philanthropic funding can spark positive changes in community financial wellbeing. Our funding is very flexible, and as a result each foundation has determined their own approach to addressing local issues.”

Grassroots programs rely on local collaboration and often produce results that are scalable and replicable, and the lessons learnt can be shared and implemented in other communities. As part of this unique funding round, Australian Community Philanthropy will provide capacity support to the grant recipients in partnership with Ecstra.

One collaborative program that illustrates how new initiatives can make positive impact for generations to come is Give Where You Live and Geelong Community Foundation, who have developed the first place-based Financial Inclusion Action Plan in Australia.

“This grant amplifies the work Give Where You Live Foundation and Geelong Community Foundation are doing to support those experiencing disadvantage in the Geelong region – work that is now more important than ever. In the current context, financial know-how has become an immediate need, and our project will help those who are most at risk in our community,” said Bill Mithen CEO, Give Where You Live Foundation.

“This project is an example of how two organisations can come together around a goal and make a difference in our community. Financial capability has been highlighted by many organisations that we work with as an issue and we look forward to building the collective capacity of our community,” said Gail Rodgers CEO, Geelong Community Foundation.

The ten Community Foundation grant recipients represent diverse geographic and demographic areas, and includes rural and regional communities, First Nation leaders, and young change makers across Australia. All projects will incorporate evaluation and impact measurement reporting.

A snapshot of the grants include -

VIC - Inner North Community Foundation is expanding on the success of the pilot program for Young Changemakers of Inner North Melbourne, where students learn practical money management skills while working with local charities.
VIC - A collaboration between the Give Where You Live Foundation and the Geelong Community Foundation aims to improve the financial capability in the Geelong region by building the capacity of frontline workers. This builds on the first place-based Financial Inclusion Action Plan in the nation.
VIC - Roads to financial wellbeing through the Bass Coast Community Foundation involves mapping community financial wellbeing to inform the development of information and education tools.
VIC - Hobsons Bay Community Fund have two programs launching using peer design and co-design approaches for young students. Inner West Communities Foundation is running an education program with Victoria University Academy, and WynBay LLYn will run the Gordon TAFE program.
VIC - The Koondee Woonga-gat Toor-rong Foundation will deliver evidence-based financial capability training for frontline staff with ICAN in the Melbourne and Gippsland region. This will empower staff at First Nations communities to better support their clients on money matters.
VIC - Regional communities recently devastated by bushfires and floods face unique challenges and want to shift conversations about money. In particular, talking about money know-how across generations with Into Our Hands Community Foundation.
NSW - Sydney Community Foundation with a program called Be Kind Sydney will map financial capability programs available in Western Sydney to identify gaps, improve connections for women seeking support and to raise awareness of financial education for empowering women and their communities.
NSW - The Village Well is an initiative of the Northern Rivers Community Foundation offering financial education and micro loans programs, with an impact measurement component to track success for future programs.
SA - With a clear mission to build a stronger and more resilient community, the Fleurieu Community Foundation is embarking on an early intervention program to help protect local residents in the Adelaide region from falling into financial hardship.
WA - Forward thinking towns such as Denmark, in remote Western Australia are taking on new initiatives. Denmark Community Foundation has embarked on building the financial wellbeing of their community by trialling new support models and workshops to improve the financial capability of local residents.