The Give Where You Live Foundation is proud to announce its latest funding investment into the Geelong community, with almost $1 million in funding being distributed this month to 23 local organisations working to create a fairer community across the Geelong region.
With cost-of-living pressures continuing to push more people into financial hardship, demand for frontline community services across the Geelong region has never been greater.
This latest significant investment by the Foundation, reflects its commitment to ensuring the organisations supporting our community’s most vulnerable people have the resources to respond to immediate needs while also creating lasting opportunities that break cycles of disadvantage.
By strengthening the capacity of frontline services, the Foundation is investing not only in crisis support, but in long-term outcomes that help people build more secure and connected futures.
The grants are delivered through multiple funding streams, including the Foundation’s Annual Grant Round, Strategic Grants, and the new Innovation Fund through the Foundation’s Social Innovation Lab. Together, these funding pathways are designed to support both established programs and innovative approaches to complex social challenges.
Give Where You Live Foundation CEO, Zac Lewis, said this latest grant funding demonstrates the power of local giving to create meaningful change
“We’re proud to partner with 23 organisations that are deeply connected to our community and are making a real difference every day. This funding will strengthen essential services while also backing bold new ideas that have the potential to transform lives and help build a fairer Geelong for everyone.”
Mr Lewis said this year’s Annual Grant Round highlighted the growing pressure many people across the region continue to face.
“Sixty per cent of applications received in our Annual Grant round sought funding for food security initiatives, while 40 per cent focused on homelessness. Those figures tell a powerful story about the challenges people in our community are experiencing and reinforce why sustained investment is so important.”
In addition to the annual grants, the Foundation will continue funding delivered through its committed multi-year Strategic Grants to The Good Neighbourhood Project, Geelong Foodshare, and the Neighbourhood Economics initiative, providing long-term investment in organisations driving systems-level change.
“Creating lasting change requires more than short-term funding. By investing in trusted organisations over multiple years, we’re helping build stronger partnerships, greater certainty and the capacity to tackle the underlying causes of disadvantage, not just the symptoms.”
This year the Foundation has also launched its Innovation Fund, providing grants to support organisations to test, trial and evaluate new ideas and solutions that have the potential to create lasting change. Using the findings of the Home Truths research report and following a collaborative co-design process through the Foundation’s Social Innovation Lab, two innovative projects have been selected for funding. One led by The Power In You Project, supporting people transitioning from the justice system, and one by Meli, focused on preventing and responding to youth homelessness.
“Innovation is essential if we’re going to solve complex social issues like homelessness. Through our Social Lab and the Innovation Fund we’re backing new ideas that, if successful, have the potential to create lasting impact for our community.”
Mr Lewis said this investment in our community would not be possible without the generosity of the community.
“Every dollar invested is thanks to the generosity of our donors, corporate partners, workplace giving supporters and the wider community. Together, they’re helping create opportunities for people who need them most and building a fairer future for everyone in our region.”
Among the Foundation’s annual grant recipients is The Outpost who will receive $30,000 to support its much-needed food relief program that not only alleviates hunger but fosters community and offers guests a place to belong and find relief during times of uncertainty, or crisis.
Established in 1990, The Outpost is the only non-referral after hours service feeding those in need over seven nights and three lunches a week, in the Geelong region.
Outpost Board Chair, Amy Hunter said they have seen a 50 per cent increase in demand over the last 2 years, and this latest grant funding will enable them to continue to provide support to people in our community who need it most.
“We distributed 62,409 meals in the last financial year and are so grateful for this latest round of grand funding from the Give Where You Live Foundation.
“The Outpost isn’t just a meal service; it’s a lifeline that reaches far beyond the plate. This grant of $30,000, equates to an incredible 9,803 nutritional meals we’ll be able to distribute in our community and will provide ongoing comfort and support to those we serve, nurturing connection and providing a hand up when it’s needed most.
“We are deeply grateful for the Give Where You Live Foundation’s commitment to those in need in our local community. This generosity helps us create an inclusive environment where everyone feels supported, seen, valued and safe.”
Read more about the local organisations receiving funding here