Freemasons Foundation Victoria grants $600,000 to Victorian community groups

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