Gardiner Foundation Community Development Grants
Six projects. Six local priorities. $51,000 into community.
On paper, there isn’t much connecting a CNC machine with a cool room or a weather station. Put six projects funded through the 2026 Gardiner Foundation Community Development Grants on paper together, however, and you get a fascinating snapshot of what local organisations are working on across the Gippsland region.
This year, $51,000 is being invested in six projects within Gippsland Dairy communities thanks to the generosity of The Gardiner Foundation, administered in Gippsland by Gippsland Community Foundation.
At Maffra Women’s Shed, funding will provide new tools and safety equipment for a specialist workshops, providing a trusted place of connection and learning.
In Yanakie, an expanded digital capacity for their community-owned weather station will provide localised information to support land management and emergency preparedness.
Warragul Community House is taking its Hello House pop-up cafe initiative into the community, creating more conversations, and connections with support services that might not otherwise have been identified.
Nyora Men’s Shed will use a new CNC machine to expand skills development and support projects that create products for the wider community.
Equip Church in Leongatha is increasing its food storage and meal providing capacity with a commercial cool room, helping reduce waste and provide ongoing food relief.
And in Mirboo North, safety and accessibility improvements will support the continued use of the Grain Store for community programs, events and volunteer-led activities.
These are all very different projects, but they all carry the same thread - connection and capacity building creates stronger communities - showing the impact of local grantmaking in practice.
Congratulations to all six recipients. We're excited to share more developments from these projects as they get underway.