Better Communities - Initiatives meeting local needs and promoting connection and wellbeing.

Whilst Gippsland is diverse, and no two communities are the same, our region has higher rates of disadvantage compared to the rest of the country and, like many rural and regional areas, social isolation and access to services is a pressing issue. 

That’s why Better Communities focuses on meeting local needs with locally driven solutions, as well as the promotion of connection and wellbeing.

Future Generations - Scholarships and training opportunities for our young people.

The next generation of Gippslanders will shape the future of our region. Access to educational and employment opportunities and support is crucial to young peoples’ ability to contribute and prosper - but our region has lower than average year 12 and university attainment rates, and higher than average youth unemployment. 

That’s why Future Generations focuses on scholarships and training opportunities for our young people.

Disaster Support - Community-led preparedness, relief and recovery initiatives.

Gippsland has been impacted by more than its fair share of natural disaster events over many years, and there are no signs of this changing. Gippslanders are great at rolling up their sleeves and showing up for one another, but without resources, this is a lot harder.

That’s why Disaster Support focuses on community-led preparedness, relief and recovery initiatives.

• You’ll connect with 100’s of other Generous Gippslanders who are giving back just like you. 

• You’ll be kept up to date about the good your donation is doing throughout the year through our donor communications so you can really see the impact it’s had

• You’ll have your say on where the money goes. Every year, Generous Gippslanders will vote on where the grants are given in each issue area

• You’ll have the opportunity to attend an annual Generous Gippsland Grant Celebration, where you’ll hear directly from the community initiatives you’ve voted to support

• You’ll have the opportunity to participate in the Generous Gippsland Grant Advisory Committee. The Committee will be comprised of donors, and will be responsible for shortlisting the grant EOIs to be voted on by the broader Generous Gippsland donor community

• You’ll learn more about our region and the local people doing good, and have fun at the same time!

It’s collective, it’s effective, and it feels good, too!

Gippsland Community Foundation is independent from the Government. This means our processes can be more accessible and community-driven - filling the gaps left by public funding. We work closely with Gippsland’s Local Government Areas and ensure we are informed by local shire economic, community and sustainability plans; state based regional economic development strategies and federal policies and initiatives for the region.

Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund (GERF) is another local funder Gippsland Community Foundation works closely with. GERF activates in response to a disaster event - seeking donations to disburse to individuals and households immediately impacted. GERF’s rapid response is essential at these critical moments. Generous Gippsland supports community organisations promoting connection, wellbeing, opportunity and preparedness before, during and after a disaster, so GERF’s funding is going to individuals and families that are also propped up by ongoing support.

• Once a year, expressions of interest will be opened to local community organisations working in or across Generous Gippsland’s three issues areas.

• Once Expressions of Interest are closed, the Generous Gippsland Grant Advisory Committee will assess and shortlist EOIs in each issue area, based on the Generous Gippsland Grant Guidelines and Criteria.

• Shortlisted EOIs will be shared with all Generous Gippslanders, who will cast their vote as to where the grants go.

• The local community organisation will the most votes in each issue area will receive a grant.

• Grant sizes will be based on the amount raised over the previous year.

• Generous Gippslanders and grant partners will come together at an annual Generous Gippsland Grant Celebration event so donors can learn more about the good they’ve supported and grant partners can expand their networks.

• Grant partners will share the impact of the funding with Generous Gippsland at the end of the grant - so donors can see the impact they’ve contributed to - something that’s often not possible when donating individually.

In addition to getting grants out the door each year to make good things happen in Gippsland now, the Generous Gippsland Future Fund ensures there are resources for Gippsland to fall back on when times are tough. 

⅓ of each Generous Gippslander’s donation contributes to the fund. These collective contributions are invested and grown over time to generate a sustainable, locally-owned asset. This reduces Gippsland’s reliance on external support in times of need.

The Generous Gippsland Future Fund Policy outlines when and why Generous Gippslanders might decide to draw down from the Fund in future.

GCF is led by local people, and has a strong track record of supporting our region.

• Meet our Board and team.

• Read about our impact.

Gippsland Community Foundation also offers Donor Advised Funds, Grant Hosting Services and a Bequest program. Learn more via the About page, or contact us to talk about your aspirations.

Any and all contributions are welcome. All amounts will be pulled into the fund.

However, only donations of $1,000+ per financial year will be eligible to vote on the annual grant program. Only one vote per registered donor is permitted.