The MWF members work together to research and review community issues and then invite applications for their annual grants program. Funds for their Signature and Nurturing Grants come from membership donations made within each financial year..
Co-founders Gillian Hund and Patricia Burke and their four sub committees (Events, Grants, Membership and MarComms) also create a special events calendar to provide members with opportunities to learn more about philanthropy. Inspiring guest speakers over the past few years have included Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO CBE, Professor Jane den Hollander, Vice Chancellor, Deakin University, Professor Gillian Triggs, Janet Michelmore AO and Susan Alberti AC.
In 2015, MWF made inaugural grants of more than $80,000 to charities supporting Melbourne women and their families. Since then MWF has continued to grow its membership and donations, which has increased their grantmaking capacity to a total reaching $581,000 in 2019.
Learn more at the Melbourne Women’s Fund website.
Membership
Members pledge to be part of the Fund (giving circle) for a minimum three-year period, so that during this time they have an opportunity to engage, learn and experience the benefits of being a member of a vibrant community of women.
To become a new member or to renew your membership of Melbourne Women's Fund, please use the form below.
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
| Membership Type | Membership Donation (tax-deductible) | Administration Fee (not tax-deductible) |
| One-year* | $1,000 | $132 |
| Three-year | $3,000 | $396 |
| Lifetime | $25,000 | N/A |
* NEW MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY for 2019 / 2020 - YOUNG MEMBERS: People aged 18 to 30 years can join as a 'Young Member' and receive full voting rights, with a membership donation of $500 per annum and an administration fee of $65.
Memberships can be started anytime throughout the year, and monthly payment options can also be arranged.
Voting rights for annual, three-year and young members includes voting for the Signature and Nurturing Grants every financial year, provided their membership donation and the administration fee have been paid in full by 30 June. Life members are always able to vote for both grants and are not required to pay administration fees.
Life Membership
Women who seek to support the giving circle in a more comprehensive way can become a Life Member by making a donation of $25,000 or more.
These funds are held in an endowment account by Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation and when the corpus has reached at least $200,000, MWF anticipate they will be able to begin funding educational scholarships for women who have not been able to reach their educational potential.