Neighbourhood Grants forging strong connections across diverse communities

Late last year we announced the recipients of Foundation SA’s Neighbourhood Grants, which saw more than $46,000 distributed to community organisations to support the delivery of vital programs that are building connections among communities across the state.

You can see the full list of recipients here and the projects they have been funded to deliver.

The Hills Community Toy Library received support through the Neighbourhood Grants program to help host a Messy Play Day on 25 February — a day for children of the Adelaide Hills to attend a safe, judgement free zone and, as the name suggests, get messy!

One hundred children, aged between six months and eight years, and their families, enjoyed a day of outdoor fun and play with water, bubbles, soapy slime, paint and colour.

It’s easy to see that the children were fully immersed in their sensory experience — and very happy to get messy!

And their parents were equally thrilled that their children could enjoy such an immersive play experience.

One saying, “This is amazing! This is stuff we can do at home; I’ve never thought about it”.

Foundation SA Philanthropy and Engagement Manager, Sophie Doyle says, “It is such an honour to support such fun and immersive experiences for children”.

“Play is such an important part of the learning journey and this event really takes it to the next level by facilitating and encouraging play in the home environment.”

The only question on everyone lips at the end of the day was when the next Messy Play Day would be held!

Continuing the theme of enjoying nature and outdoor activities, Woodville Community Garden received funding through the Neighbourhood Grants program to host an open day for their community in February.

A relaxed, family-friendly event, the open day placed a spotlight on food security and sustainable living while raising the profile of and interest in the community garden.

“Attendees got to enjoy a free day out for the family with workshops, plant sales, bike repairs, mosaic demonstrations and nature education for the kids,” says Nasreen Richani, Chairperson of Woodville Community Garden.

“The event was well attended with visitors commenting that they enjoyed visiting the garden and connecting with their local community.”

Sophie adds, “With increased density of housing and many people now living in smaller homes or apartments with less garden space, community gardens are becoming more important than ever”.

“Not only do they open opportunities for people to have their own produce plot, but community gardens are precious assets that also open the door for local communities to build strong social and support networks in increasingly isolated times.”

Thanks to support received through a Neighbourhood Grant, West Coast Youth and Community Support were able to host the uplifting event, A Pridevember to Remember! on 10 November.

Engaging and welcoming the LGBTQIA+ community in the Lower Eyre Peninsula, 25 people came together for a fun evening celebrating diversity and inclusivity.

Tara from headspace Port Lincoln joined Lain from Mentally Fit EP, West Coast Youth and Community support staff Tony and Tracey, and Sean from Our Town Cummins to ensure everyone had a great time.

Participants enjoyed all things rainbow including rainbow drinks, cheese toasties and fruit skewer, badges, bracelets, puzzles and affirmations, and danced to tunes thanks to DJ Wan and Only.

New connections were made and it was clear that everyone enjoyed each other’s company.

Lain from Mentally Fit EP is grateful for the support that made this event a great success.

“A big thanks goes to Foundation SA’s Neighbourhood Grant, for funding this free event, which one young person said ‘was the best time of their life’.”

Due to the roaring success of Pridevember to Remember!, West Coast Youth and Community Support will be hosting an almost identical event during Youth Week.

Sophie Doyle says, ”The best part of Foundation SA’s Neighbourhood Grants is that it supports a diverse range of community organisations to bring people together and share memorable experiences”.

“To hear that the Pridevember event was a person’s most treasured experience is truly heart warming and really shows that while our grants may be modest, they make a huge impact.”

The Foundation SA Neighbourhood Grants offer non-profit organisations up to $5,000 to support acts of community connection that strengthen the bonds of neighbourhoods, led by people in their own communities.

You can read more about Neighbourhood Grants and other recipient stories here.

The 2024 Neighbourhood Grants are held annually and will be open again in the second half of 2024 — keep an eye on our website and socials for more information.