Tuesday, 28 June 2022

Community foundations are all about people, connecting local knowledge to local community action.

As Australia’s largest community foundation, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation has been supporting the health and wellbeing of communities across Greater Melbourne for almost 100 years.
 
Community foundations are uniquely placed to bring people, ideas and resources together to help build and strengthen communities. Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Catherine Brown OAM says that community foundations provide everyone with an opportunity to participate in philanthropy. “They are created by and for a community of people.
 
“We work in partnership with our donors, local not-for-profit organisations, other funders and community organisations to pool and grow charitable funds, ensuring that there is always a sustainable source of funding to meet the immediate and long-term needs of the community.”
From Buderim in south-east Queensland to Bendigo in Victoria, Community Foundations Australia have 38 members across the country who are part of a growing network of more than 1,860 around the world.
 
Community Foundations Australia Chair, Ben Rodgers, says community foundations build partnerships around important initiatives to leverage support for community issues.
 
“Local communities know their needs best. Community foundations bring donors together, conduct research, and make grants that improve wellbeing and tackle issues affecting a local community. They build on the desire that many people have to chip-in and make their corner of the world better for the next generation.”
 
Community foundations have the capacity to build social and financial capital to help communities respond to future challenges and disasters. Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation has been responding to bushfires and other disasters since 1939 and established a rapid response grants program when the COVID-19 pandemic began.
 
As we approach the end of the financial year, community foundations across Australia are accepting donations that will support their much-needed community projects.
 
“We understand our shared big challenges such as the need to increase the supply of affordable housing and to build the resilience of communities to heatwaves and other disasters, whilst also maximising job opportunities in clean technologies as part of our climate transition.”
 
“Everyone can make a difference in their local area by supporting their community foundation,” added Dr Brown.
 
Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation is proudly the community foundation for Greater Melbourne. Find and support your local community foundation, visit cfaustralia.com.au