Community Foundations Challenge Grants Hit the Headlines

The Inner North Community Foundation was recently profiled as one of the four foundations to receive a Victorian Government Challenge Grant. The grant is a big deal that will leave a lasting positive impression on our community. We're steadily making our way to the target thanks to the generosity of local residents and hope that you'll help us along with your donations too. Visit our publications page to read the article.

Your $1 will become $3 towards a new grant-making fund

The Victorian Government has announced a fantastic challenge for our community. If we can raise $100,000 locally by July 2010, they will donate up to $300,000 towards a new grant-making fund. This new fund will support local projects in Darebin, Moreland and Yarra for lifetimes to come, giving local organisations extra funding opportunities in addition to our existing Pathways to Employment fund.

A 3:1 offer is a terrific incentive and one that we're determined to make the most of. So get in touch with your ideas about how we can mobilise the community behind this great opportunity for our community. Give where you live

2009 Grant Recipients announced

In the coming weeks seven projects will take shape across our region giving up to 80 local residents of Brunwsick, Fawkner, Fitzroy, Preston, Reservoir and Richmond, opportunities to gain employment skills and experience in their chosen field of work. This year’s group of seven follow in the footsteps of remarkable success achieved by last year’s grant recipients whose specialist expertise resulted in 41 young people finding jobs. Read about our 2009 funded projects.

Councillor Donates Half his Allowance to Inner North Community Foundation

Cr Gaetano Greco has donated half his Councillor allowance to the Inner Northern Community Foundation. Cr Greco said: "I wanted the money to go back into the local community that pays our allowance and it had to help people who are socially disadvantaged. I am keen to help young people make a go of it, particularly in areas like Reservoir and Preston where youth unemployment rates are higher." Read the full newspaper article.

Statistics Confirm a Strong Culture of Giving

The spirit of giving is alive and well in Darebin, Moreland and Yarra. Statistics released recently show that in the 2006-2007 financial year around 47% of locals opened their wallets to charitable organisations.
This is way ahead of the Victorian average (39.5%) and is fantastic reflection of a compassionate and caring community. Click here to find out how your suburb compares.

Grant Recipients Impress

Our 2008 grant recipients supported 41 people into jobs and helped 42 people to gain accredited qualifications. These are fantastic results! Read about their work on our Grant Recipients page

New Kids on the Block

The September edition of the ourcommunity.com.au GrantMakers Quarterly ran a special feature on the creation of our Foundation. Read the article at our publications page.

Seven New Projects in the Inner North

Melbourne’s inner north is already buzzing, and it is about to become a whole lot busier. Seven new projects will kick off across the region giving over 100 young people a taste for jobs in a range of fields from broadcasting and event administration through to horticulture and hospitality. Our Pathways to Employment grants connect the talent of young people in our community with opportunities that are currently out of their reach. Meet the lucky recipients of our first ever grant round at our grants page .

Great Response to Pathways to Employment Grant Round

The Inner North Community Foundation received a great response to its first grant round. A total pool of $50,000 was available for projects that increase young people's access to employment opportunities. Applications received totalled $219,000 covering a broad range of interesting approaches. Applications will be assessed by the Board during June and successful applicants will be announced early July.

$1 Million for youth employment in Melbourne's inner north

The Inner North Community Foundation was officially launched on Thursday 21 February with an initial $1 million donation from local group training company, Apprenticeships Plus.

Politicians, community leaders, business people and local residents gathered at the Northcote Town Hall to celebrate a significant opportunity for new funding to support local community groups in the region. Jon Faine, a Fitzroy resident, passionate advocate for social justice and prominent radio presenter whose listenership spans all ages, demographics and cultures, spoke of the importance of inclusion and the role that a job plays in fostering a sense of belonging in people. Social inclusion and community cohesion will be at the heart of the work of the Inner North Community Foundation.

The highlight of the night was the presentation of a $1 million cheque from Apprenticeships Plus Chairman, Hon. Alan Brown, to Whitney Robertson, a young Pascoe Vale resident. Whitney accepted the cheque on behalf of her peers who would benefit from the Foundation’s work and spoke about her experience on local youth committees and the enormous boost to confidence and self esteem she has seen in young people when they have been trusted with responsibility and given a chance to have a go. Whitney expressed her excitement at the prospect of the Foundation creating more opportunities for young people to be active in creating positive futures for themselves.

The launch showcased local talent with an energetic opening performance by the Anti Racism Action Band A.R.A.B, and tasty food and beverage prepared locally by the CERES Seven Stars Cooking Program, NMIT’s Northern Estates Wine label and Thornbury-based brewery, 3 Ravens.

The Foundation's first funding round will open in March to support local programs that engage people, particularly young people, who need more intensive support over a longer period of time to secure and retain a job. For more information, visit the Grants Program page or contact the Inner North Community Foundation on 9481 9130.

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