The Give Where You Live Foundation is proud to announce that more than $495,000 in grant funding will be distributed this month to 23 local organisations working to create a fairer community across the Geelong region.
This latest round of funding brings the Foundation’s total grants for the 2024/25 financial year to over $1.1 million dollars.
The 23 local organisations will receive grants to support people in our community, with a focus on the Foundation’s priority areas of Food Security, Homelessness Assistance, Inclusive Employment and Inclusive Economy.
Funding to support food security initiatives across our community has been made possible in part thanks to generous public donations to the 2024 Feed Geelong Appeal.
Give Where You Live Foundation CEO, Zac Lewis, said these latest grants come at a critical time for the community.
“As the cost of living continues to rise, so too does the number of people in our region seeking help. Almost half of the grant applications we received identified the cost of living as the biggest challenge facing their organisation and community,” Mr Lewis said.
“Food security remains a major concern, with 80% of funding requests focused on this area, a clear reflection of the growing need in our community.”
“This year’s funding will support organisations such as Geelong Food Relief, The Outpost, The Good Neighbourhood Project, and The Power In You Project, not only to help meet urgent needs, but also to support initiatives that aim to transform the underlying systems, structures, and policies driving inequity”
“These grants are only possible thanks to our generous donors, corporate partners, thousands of workplace givers, and other supporters and we thank them for helping the Foundation to create a fairer region.”
Among the grant recipients is Common Ground Project who will receive $45,000 to support its ‘Staying Grounded’ catering program, a social enterprise initiative that trains and employs women from refugee and multicultural backgrounds in farming and hospitality.
Established in 2020, the Staying Grounded program is part of Common Ground’s broader mission to promote food security through fair access to healthy, locally grown produce, while also building confidence, skills, and job readiness among participants.
Chief Executive of Common Ground, Imogen Thomas, said this latest grant funding will enable them to continue providing training and building on the confidence of the women in the Staying Grounded program.
“Receiving the Give Where You Live grant is a game-changer for Common Ground Project. It means we can continue delivering the Staying Grounded program with the consistency and care our participants deserve. For our participants – many of whom are facing complex barriers – it means access to a safe, nurturing space where they can build skills, and find a sense of purpose and belonging. This funding helps us keep that door open.”
The Give Where You Live Foundation also extends its thanks to those involved in the Community Grant Review Panels, which are a key part of the Foundation’s grant-making process and help inform funding decisions.
This year, more than 60 community and business representatives participated in the assessment of applications, including members from organisations such as Coulter Legal, Geelong Broadcasters, and the TAC.
“Our community grant panels ensure a broad and diverse range of voices are part of the decision-making process, helping us fund programs that will make the greatest impact,” Mr Lewis said.
To help address the challenges facing our community, the Give Where You Live Foundation undertakes a range of change initiatives, actions and support, in addition to grant funding.
Last financial year the Foundation invested $2.1 million into the Geelong community through this diverse range of activities.
See below for the full list of recipients receiving funding in June 2025:
| Organisation | Grant amount |
| Cultura | $45,000 |
| Common Ground Project | $45,000 |
| Lazarus Community Centre Geelong Ltd | $18,000 |
| Christ Church Community Meals Program | $8,000 |
| Uniting Vic Tas | $15,000 |
| Whittington Neighbourhood House | $16,000 |
| Feed Me Inc | $10,000 |
| Cultura | $15,000 |
| Drysdale Family Support Inc. | $10,000 |
| Neami National – Towards Home+ Geelong | $15,000 |
| Hesse Rural Health | $15,000 |
| Leisure Networks | $10,000 |
| Great Ocean Road Health | $10,000 |
| The Outpost Inc. | $18,000 |
| Samaritan House Geelong | $10,000 |
| Financial Counselling Victoria | $7,000 |
| Farm My School Ltd | $8,000 |
| The Power in You Project | $10,000 |
| MacKillop Family Services | $12,000 |
| 3216 Connect | $3,000 |
| The Good Neighbourhood Project | $75,000 |
| Neighbourhood Economics | $100,000 |
| Geelong Foodshare | $20,000 |
Read all about each program funded here