Pathways to Employment Fund

Pathways to Employment Fund

Above: 2022 Grants Celebration at Collingwood Yards, formally announcing a new 30 year partnership. 

Pathways to Employment is a major annual grant round, and is a proud partnership between Cities of Darebin, Merr-bek and Yarra, the Inner North Community Foundation and IntoWork Australia to address disadvantage through employment opportunities in the inner north of Melbourne.

Since 2007, IntoWork Australia has supported the ‘Pathways to Employment Fund’. A new commitment in 2021 re-affirmed this partnership, with IntoWork providing an annual contribution of $233,000 to the Fund and additional funding that contributes to the core operational costs of the Foundation. This further strengthens the existing partnership between the five organisations and recognises the value of the Foundation’s role to grant funds, create opportunities for employment and support in helping people to find work in the inner north.

In recent years, the Foundation grants around 10 successful and eligible organisations up to $20,000 per organisation to support vulnerable groups in the Inner North community. 

Target audiences for funding

Grants are available to support projects which assist the removal of employment barriers for vulnerable people in Darebin, Merri-bek and Yarra. Priority will be given to projects which demonstrate:

  • Participation by people facing the most significant barriers to employment
  • Buidling people’s capabilities and skills
  • Strong geographic focus on either or all of of Darebin, Merri-bek and Yarra
  • Leverage of partnerships and collaboration
  • Clear demonstration of impact and links to employment pathways
  • Ability to leverage other funds and resources where appropriate

In assessing grant applications, the Foundation considers a range of factors such as how the project will improve
people’s ability to connect to employment or education pathways. The Board also focuses on whether government
funding is already available to support this kind of project and whether the organisation applying for the grant is
appropriately equipped to deliver the project.

Please contact Bianca Maciel Pizzorno, Grants Manager, on 0478 174 116
[email protected] should you have any queries.

Previous recipients and project outcomes 

The Foundation is pleased to celebrate the work of local charities. Please see below documents that outline how value is being created in our local community. 

We will update our other previous grants booklets in the coming months.