Media releases

Westpac Foundation announces $1.8 million in grants to eight not for profit organisations

 

29 November 2012

Westpac Foundation today announced that eight not for profit organisations from across Australia will receive a grant from the Foundation’s Seed Funding and National Innovation Grant programs.

Seed Funding Grants have been awarded to new or relatively new social enterprise and social innovation projects and National Innovation Grants have been awarded to established projects with plans for expansion.

Through its grants, Westpac Foundation seeks to develop communities in an attempt to ensure the long-term unemployed, Indigenous Australians, refugees, the homeless, and individuals with a disability feel engaged and included.

Westpac Foundation will be awarding over $1.8 million in grants to six Seed Funding Grant recipients and two National Innovation Grant recipients.

National Innovation Grant recipients include Landcare Australia and Resource Recovery and the six Seed Funding Grant recipients include; 100 Story Building based in Victoria, Sandgate and Bracken Ridge Action Group Inc. based in Queensland, Sensorium Theatre based in Western Australian and Australian Rites of Passage Institute, Mamre House, Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance Aboriginal Corporation all based in New South Wales.

Westpac Foundation’s Executive Officer Susan Bannigan said the recipients of this year’s Seed Funding and National Innovation Grants will use their funding to launch or expand their innovative programs designed to address social issues such as social inclusion, long-term unemployment, living with a disability and youth at risk.

“Westpac Foundation is thrilled to be investing in these eight innovative social programs. Whilst these grants will go a long way in supporting these organisations, the non-financial support we offer can also have a big impact on an organisation’s program delivery in the longer term.

The Foundation and Westpac Group work together to provide volunteering and mentoring support, financial education and customised banking solutions that help grantees maximise the impact of their work which seeks to eradicate disadvantage in Australia.” Ms Bannigan said.

Since 1999, Westpac Foundation has distributed over $25 million in grants to not for profit organisations across Australia.