Freemasons Foundation awards $710,325 to support Victorian community projects

Melbourne, 17 December 2024: Freemasons Foundation Victoria (FFV) has announced the recipients of its 2024/25 Community Grants, awarding $710,325 for 29 Victorian based projects.

“It’s always a privilege to announce funding for projects set to improve the lives and opportunities of Victorians,” said Garry James, FFV Chairman.

“So many Victorians are grappling with challenges like the rising cost of living and increasing mental health pressures. Charities are also being affected by these factors, as well as volunteer fatigue. So, the need for funding to support community initiatives has never been greater. These grants are a testament to the resilience and dedication of organisations working tirelessly to uplift Victorian communities when it’s needed most.

“With so many different areas of need coming through in the applications, it’s pleasing to be able to offer funding across a diverse range of program areas. This is only possible, thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the careful stewardship of our funds.

“Congratulations to all 29 Community Grant recipients,” Mr. James continued. “Our grants are more than financial contributions; they’re an investment in the future of Victoria. We’re inspired by the innovation and commitment shown by this year’s recipients and are proud to stand with them as they create meaningful change in the Victorian community.”

Grants have been awarded to a breadth of project areas including physical and mental health and wellbeing programs, youth development initiatives, enhancing food relief services, and digital upgrades to build capacity of not-for-profit organisations – supporting and enhancing important projects that offer great benefits to Victorians and their communities.

Full list of projects and organisations receiving grants:

Organisation name	Town	Project	Grant amount
(it's no) drama Ltd	Fish Creek	A community performance project for people with disabilities and regional arts workers	$5,000
Australian Prostate Centre	North Melbourne	Purchase of clinical equipment for day to day patient care and equipment for ProsFIT exercise program	$46,704
Banksia Gardens Community Services	Broadmeadows	After-School program	$50,000
Big Group Hug	Thomastown	Building the capacity of Big Group Hug's volunteer workforce	$25,000
Christ Church Mission Inc	St Kilda	New equipment for community food relief program	$20,000
Epworth Foundation (trading as Epworth HEalthcare)	Richmond	Year 2 of the CONFIRM Trial: a better way to manage low grade prostate cancer	$50,000
Feed One Feed All	Wantirna	Fit-out of additional kitchen for food relief program	$50,000
Find A Penny Foundation Inc	Hampton Park	Purchase of titling pan to eliminate lifting of heavy post	$20,000
Glenelg & Southern Grampians Local Learning & Employment Network (GSGLLEN)	Hamilton	Young leaders mentoring and leadership development program for secondary students in rural Victoria	$11,500
Good360 Australia	Smithfield	Refurbished digital devices to financially disadvantaged Victorian residents	$25,000
Heathcote Dementia Alliance Incorporated	Heathcote	Accessible walking trails located at Reflections at Lake Eppalock	$33,390
Hope Bereavement Care	Geelong	Support After Suicide program	$30,000
Inspirational Quilts	Watsonia North	Quilts for children entering medical facilities	$5,667
Life Education Victoria	Eltham	IT Upgrade: Transforming the school journey for Healthy Harold programs	$10,000
M.H.S.N Australia	Mornington	Suicide prevention education	$20,000
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra	Southbank	Regional Tour 2025	$20,000
Mercy Health Foundation	Richmond	Outdoor exercise area in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Services at Werribee Mercy Hospital	$25,000
Mums Supporting Families in Need	Seaford	Hampers for families in need	$25,000
Outside the Locker Room Charity Ltd	Geelong	Mental health education sessions for regional and rural communities	$25,000
Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria & Tasmania	North Fitzroy	Continuation of the Early Years Empowerment Project	$20,000
Rumbalara Football Netball Club	Shepparton	Algabonyah Driver Mentor program	$20,000
Spinal Research Institute	Kew	Engage and Collaborate: a program for a healthier and stronger SCI community - Phase 3	$48,860
St Mary's House of Welcome	Fitzroy	Program to assist medium to long-term homeless people into housing	$5,000
St Vincent's Hospital (Melbourne) Limited - (SVHM)	Fitzroy	The Nurse Led Androgen Deprivation Therapy Clinic. Enabling men with metastatic prostate cancer to access new treatment options	$17,284
Starlight Children's Foundation	Richmond	Livewire wellbeing program at Royal Children's Hospital.	$25,000
TeamSports4All	Hampton	Aiding kids in financial hardship to participate in club sport	$20,000
The Project Rockit Foundation	Collingwood	Breaking Barriers: Empowering youth with civic and digital skills to tackle bullying	$20,000
The Think Pink Foundation	Docklands	Think Pink Living Centre Physical Therapies Support Program 2025	$21,920
Youth Insearch	Sale	Empowering Latrobe's Youth: Mental health recovery through Youth Insearch weekend workshops	$15,000

Learn how you can support FFV's work to provide more grants like these