By Eleanor Wilson
An ambitious future for community fundraising in Cardinia Shire was outlined at The Cardinia Foundation’s 20-year anniversary celebrations on Tuesday 5 September.
The two-decade milestone, which has seen the foundation distribute $830,000 in grants, was celebrated by Cardinia Shire councillors, Bass MP Jordan Crugnale, Cardinia Foundation board members, local charities and communities members at Outlook Community Centre.
The Foundation used the achievement to announce it will double down on fundraising over the next 20 years, setting forth an ambitious goal to raise $800,000 annually for local organisations in the shire.
“As we stand on the brink of the largest wealth transfer in Australia’s history, estimated to be $2.6 trillion in assets changing hands by 2040, the Cardinia Foundation is determined to play a pivotal role in shaping Cardinia’s future,” Cardinia Foundation board chairman Paul Thomas said.
To achieve the lofty goal, the Foundation has amended its fundraising strategy, which will centre now around fundraising through partnerships, workplace giving and bequests.
It also announced a new partnerships scheme, which will allow organisations to partner with the foundation, starting from just $250.
“We need everyone’s support to make this happen…we need the community of Cardinia to come together,” Mr Thomas said.
“These partnerships will help so many community organisations. We are able to amplify the impact by joining together many partners and donors to help our community thrive, both now and into the future,” Cardinia Foundation executive officer Kara Norton-Jones said.
Cardinia Foundation board director Simon Dunstan announced his own SJD Homes would be the Foundation’s first cornerstone partner – committing $10,000 each year for three years.
“So many of us are guilty of thinking it’s not our problem to deal with, it should be the government or other people that are going to solve these problems, but it doesn’t work like that,” Mr Dunstan said.
“It’s very much a collective effort and we hope we can inspire others to get involved.
“If we’re not part of the solution, then we’re actually part of the problem, so let’s be part of the solution.”
The event also recognised the community impact of donations made over the last year to the Foundation’s 2023 grants round, which saw eight local organisations share in over $37,000 in funding for various projects.
Cardinia Foundation executive officer Kara Norton-Jones thanked applicants who took the time and effort to submit applications.
“The diversity of applications are testament to the many projects and initiatives volunteers and community organisations are delivering to benefit the community,” she said.
The grants are aligned across six key focus areas: education, health and wellbeing, social cohesion, the environment, the arts and crisis support.
In 2023, the Foundation has a particular focus on the cost of living crisis and the impact on housing affordability and food insecurity.
ADRA Pakenham, Rapid Relief Team and Upper Beaconsfield Community Centre were all chosen as recipients of grants from the Lord Mayors Fund and will be used to support community projects and emergency relief support.
The Mick Morland Memorial Grant, named in honour of the late former Casey Mayor and councillor, was awarded to A Better Life For Foster Kids, which provides emergency relief packs for foster children in Cardinia Shire.
The Herb Thomas Memorial Grant went to the Pakenham and District Toy Library, with funds set to facilitate the addition of disability and early intervention toys, along with discounted memberships for disadvantaged families in the shire.
A music therapy program specifically for people with disability will be piloted by Scope Pakenham, thanks to the Carlos Santin Grant.
The Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch Grants will afford a new service trailer for Cardinia Men’s Shed and a new defibrillator for Bunyip Football Club.
The next grant round will open in February 2024. Further details on grants and partnerships can be found at cardiniafoundation.org
