Grants for Victorian ageing, disability and mental health support initiatives
State Trustees Australia Foundation has awarded its annual Grassroots Grants in Victoria, handing out more than $200,000 to 23 organisations.
Scope Community Arts Centre in Bendigo received a Grassroots Grant in 2014 , which was used to launched a newly developed art studio for people with a disability.
Organisations that received grants include Alzheimer’s Australia VIC for its program We Can We Can We Can: Purpose and pleasure for people living with dementia and the Brotherhood of St Laurence for its Café Connections, delivering social activities for older people.
The Grassroots Grants program aims to promote social inclusion, and provide support for individuals to live independently and build and maintain physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing and resilience.
The Foundation’s focus is on funding initiatives that support vulnerable Victorians to exercise choice in how they engage with and inform the service systems that support them.
Individual grants up to $10,000 are awarded to organisations or programs delivering direct community support or activities.
“Many people experience social marginalisation through age, disability or mental illness, and local organisations are at the forefront of providing opportunities for those who face barriers to inclusion in their communities,” says State Trustees executive general manager Melanie Lewis.
“There is a strong need to support communities, organisations and individuals through the NDIS transition period to enable a collaborative approach to the change, and prevent people falling through the gaps while adjustments are underway.
“State Trustees Australia Foundation is proud to support local community organisations, and are excited to announce this year’s Grassroots Grants recipients.”
Visit the State Trustees website for a full list of grant recipients.
