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Foundation SA supports South Australian communities to tune of $500k
Foundation SA last night announced that it had reached a significant milestone, distributing more than $500,000 to community and charitable organisations through its grants programs. The announcement was made at its annual donor event celebrating and acknowledging the many South Australians that give generously through Foundation SA.
Foundation SA, South Australia’s only state-wide community foundation, reached the significant milestone, in just two and a half years since its establishment in 2021.
“In just two and a half years, Foundation SA has grown into a generous philanthropic community of South Australians, and in doing so has been able to support numerous community and charitable organisations,” says Stacey Thomas, Foundation SA Chief Executive Officer.
“Our grant programs open up funding opportunities to organisations that are delivering meaningful and vital programs for South Australian communities across the state.”
Grants totalling more than $500,000 have been awarded and include donor-advised grants from Foundation SA sub-funds and two specialist grant rounds as a result of public fundraising campaigns and private foundation funding.
South Australian Disaster Recovery Grants
One of the key fundraising initiatives was through the South Australian Disaster Recovery Fund, created by Foundation SA in direct response to the South Australian flood disaster in early 2023.
“The South Australian Disaster Recovery Fund marked our first public fundraising campaign and I am thrilled to share that it was a great success,” says Stacey.
Through the South Australian Disaster Recovery Grants, nine recipients were awarded a share of $87,000 following a competitive grant process.
“By combining private foundation funding with general public fundraising we were able to support more community groups when they needed it.
“Our reach exceeded all expectations — thank you to everyone who generously donated and made it possible for us to award nine grants to non-profit organisations delivering much needed recovery initiatives within these local communities.”
Read about the impact of the South Australian Disaster Recovery Grants here.
Neighbourhood Grants
Foundation SA’s Neighbourhood Grants reach a broader audience across the state and aim to bring communities together by creating a sense of belonging and connection.
“Our Neighbourhood Grants support the delivery of programs and activities that are led by people from within the community they are serving,” says Stacey.
Capped at $5,000, Stacey says the grants are designed to lay the foundations for these communities to come together and create the connections that make way for improved wellbeing and fulfilment.
“In 2022, Foundation SA awarded five recipients a share of $10,000 through the Neighbourhood Grants program,” says Stacey.
“Just one year later in 2023, this program grew exponentially, awarding 12 recipients a share of $46,300.
“The organic growth and competitive nature of our grant process is testament to the demand for this type of philanthropic giving and funding.”
Read about the impact two Neighbourhood Grant recipients are making here.
Donor-advised funds
Those who have established a charitable fund through Foundation SA are able to decide exactly which charities they would like to support and when. And while they are deciding their funds are responsibly invested for long-term growth.
“To date, some of the organisations supported by our donors include Royal Flying Doctor Service, Backpacks for SA Kids, Habitat for Humanity Australia, Tutti Arts, Catherine House, JusticeNet SA, Good360, Tjindu Foundation, Operation Flinders and Lighthouse Youth Projects,” says Stacey.
With more than $500,000 already distributed to support communities across South Australia, Stacey says that this is just the beginning for Foundation SA and that there is plenty of room for growth and more South Australians to take advantage of this giving model.
“Reaching this milestone in such a short space of time is exceptional and we are proud to be making such a broad and big impact in South Australia.”
There are various ways of giving through Foundation SA, including establishing your own charitable fund.
Find out how to make a bigger impact with your charitable giving and philanthropy.
Contact us
- www.foundationsa.org.au
- hello@foundationsa.org.au
- +61 8 8223 3597
Australian Communities Foundation (ACF) is Foundation SA’s implementation partner and Trustee of funds under management.
Main Fund (tax deductible) ABN 57 967 620 066
Extension Fund (non-tax deductible) ABN 57 485 460 977
Scholarship Fund (tax deductible) ABN 82 218 603 765.
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