With Victoria’s not-for-profits and local charities more active than ever, Freemasons Foundation Victoria (FFV) has awarded $617,089 in grants to 25 charities across the length and breadth of Victoria, in the latest round of FFV Community Grants.
The funds will go toward a range of projects supporting those experiencing disadvantage, including addressing food insecurity and job readiness, providing essential equipment for families who have fallen on hard times, and providing mental and physical health education programs for young people.
FFV Chairman, Rodney Lavin, JP, said the diversity of projects supported in this round is testament to the many and varied challenges that communities are up against.
“Cost of living pressures, barriers to healthcare access, and ongoing devastating flood events are just a few of the troubles many have faced in recent months. Victorian communities will benefit greatly from the work of the inspiring organisations delivering vital services in the current climate and we are proud to contribute to their ongoing work.
“We’re particularly heartened to contribute to important services that support children with disabilities or life threatening illnesses. For families in this position, it’s one thing to be able to get the treatment you need, but it’s entirely another to have organisations supporting you through the journey.”
In addition to funding in the areas of Health and Medical Research, Community Development and Education, FFV’s Community Grants program also supports programs in the Arts and Indigenous space.
“For the 5th year, we are delighted to provide funding to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) so that they can take the MSO experience to regional audiences across Victoria. We know this is an experience that is relished and will be welcomed again in the eight regional centres that the program will reach.
“We’re also excited to contribute to a number of projects in the Indigenous programs space, including creating bright opportunities for students from the Yorta Yorta Nation, supporting a literacy program for female Aboriginal students in Western Victoria and helping Woor-Dungin Inc build the capacity of Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to secure philanthropic funding for community-led initiatives, through network and relationship building and skills development.
“Congratulations to the 25 recipients of this year’s Community Grants program. Freemasons Foundation Victoria recognises your hard work and dedication in delivering these projects, and we are proud to support you to continue to do your great work in the Victorian community.”
Organisation | Project | Location | Grant |
Abbey Solo Foundation Limited | #givingtogetherness - supporting families who have children undergoing treatment for life threatening childhood cancers | Richmond | $5,000 |
Aboriginal Literacy Foundation | The ALF Aspire Girls Catch-up Program Western Victoria - improving literacy skills for female Aboriginal students in Western Victoria | Melbourne | $10,000 |
Biala Peninsula | Biala enhancing support for children with disabilities and additional needs – therapy room furniture for specialist intervention service | Mornington | $6,518 |
Canteen | Vic Explore Program – helping under 18s to connect with others and normalise their cancer experience | North Melbourne | $19,483 |
Chelsea Community Support Service | Fair Start School Support Program – helping families and children meet the costs associated with attending school | Chelsea | $5,000 |
Dungala Kaiela Foundation | Nanyak Burras 2023 - Future leaders – supporting 15 Yorta Yorta students to enrol in the Academy of Sport, Health and Education (ASHE) | Shepparton | $47,350 |
Entertainment Assist (HPC) Ltd | Intermission prevention based program for entertainment workers | South Yarra | $75,000 |
FareShare | Empowering Students to Support People in Hardship – delivery of the program to schools at no cost | Abbotsford | $30,000 |
Fitted For Work | Women’s Economic Empowerment Program – providing services, training, and upskilling opportunities for women ready to be placed into employment | Richmond | $25,000 |
Inspirational Quilts | Quilts for Kids – materials for 80 quilts for children suffering from ongoing life threatening illness | Watsonia North | $4,474 |
Life Education Victoria | Adapting Healthy Harold Heroes program - Developing Future Leaders of Mental Health and Wellbeing – piloting a new program in 10 disadvantaged schools in Victoria | Eltham | $50,000 |
Love in Action Wallan | Don’t Spend Christmas Alone - a free event for people & families that are alone on Christmas Day | Wallan | $5,000 |
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra | MSO Regional Tour 2023 – delivering world-class, accessible orchestral music-making experiences across regional Victoria | Southbank | $28,000 |
Mums Supporting Families in Need Inc | Food Packs – provision of 600 food packs of pantry staples to vulnerable families over 12 months | Seaford | $10,000 |
NextSense (formerly Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children) | Building Up NextSense's Cochlear-implant Program for Children and Adults in Victoria | Blackburn | $38,639 |
OzHarvest Limited | Youth NEST Program (Youth Nutrition Education and Skills Training (NEST) - empowering adolescents experiencing disadvantage to improve dietary behaviours through increasing food literacy and cooking skills | Port Melbourne | $37,900 |
Red Nose Australia | Treasured Babies – providing special items including coffins for parents of premature and stillborn babies in preparation for their funeral. | Surrey Hills | $10,000 |
Shepparton Foodshare | Shepparton Foodshare Commercial Kitchen – equipment to enable rescued food to be cooked into packaged ready-to-heat meals | Mooroopna | $40,420 |
Spinal Research Institute | Engage and Collaborate: a program for a healthier and stronger SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) community | Kew | $47,860 |
Sport & Life Training | Clubs with Heart – delivering a wellbeing and Mental Health program to up to fifteen sporting clubs | Ringwood | $20,000 |
St Kilda Mums Inc | The 2030 Vision - an urgent IT upgrade to enable critical day-to-day processes | Clayton | $10,270 |
St Kilda Police and Citizens Youth Club | Mobile Activity Centre (MAC) Park Towers – recreational based youth program at Park Towers Public Housing Estate | St Kilda | $10,000 |
The Reach Foundation | Regional student wellbeing program- across Greater Mildura | Collingwood | $24,881 |
Western Chances | Western Chances Alumni Mentoring Program – supporting young people to transition from tertiary studies to the workforce | Footscray | $31,294 |
Woor-Dungin Inc | Aboriginal Partnership Program – supporting skill development and networks to build the capacity of Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to secure philanthropic funding for community-led initiatives | Melbourne | $25,000 |
