Community Foundations Australia

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Growing community foundations for a fairer Australia.

Every community depends on passionate, hard-working people committed to the long-term vitality and resilience of the place they call home.

Community foundations are part of the community they support. They have first-hand knowledge of local issues and needs and bring people together to pool resources and activate the power of giving for lasting impact.

Community foundations raise money, manage funds to build lasting assets, and make grants to support a community’s changing needs over the long term. They have the skills and structures that make it easy for anyone to donate to local causes and charities in the most effective way.

The unique value of community foundations lies in local action on local issues. Their shared commitment is to create a fairer, more sustainable Australia where everyone belongs.

In Australia, some 40 community foundations work to make their local community a better place to live, from rural areas, to regional towns and capital cities.

unique LGAs served by a local community foundation

granted between financial years 2019 - 2022

aggregate funds under management (30/6/2021)

Policy and Advocacy

Advocacy Matters: The Federal Budget

Member Update

STOKED: a surf therapy program in the time of COVID

CFAustralia Update

Highlights from the 2022 National Community Foundations Forum

On October 23-25, 120 community foundation practitioners gathered on Wadawurrung country in the heart of Geelong, Victoria, for the first national forum in three years.

Member Update

The Southern Highlands Community Foundation celebrates 21 years.

Member Update

The Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation turns 100

CFAustralia Update

New partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation

Member Update

Foundation SA launches Disaster Recovery Fund

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News & Analysis

Member Update

The Mornington Peninsula Foundation: a commitment to community partners

The Mornington Peninsula Foundation operates as a place-based philanthropic organisation working with an ever-growing network of community, donor, business, and government partners to increase inclusion and access to community resources and opportunities.

Member Update

AFL Rams Community Support Fund

Two days after cyclone Seroja hit, a small group of current and past AFL players from the Northampton region—led by former West Coast Eagle Andrew Lockyer—contacted the Fremantle Foundation to discuss how they could provide immediate support and help their community rebuild for the future.

The Albany Community Foundation: supporting individuals through crisis

The Albany Community Foundation in Western Australia is pioneering a new approach to supporting individuals and families who may have fallen on hard times. It’s an approach they would like to share with the sector to inspire conversation around a different giving model.

Policy and Advocacy

Advocacy Matters: The Federal Budget

Welcome to the first 2023 edition of Advocacy Matters - a monthly column specifically for community foundations by government engagement expert Neil Pharaoh, who is a long-term friend and individual member of Community Foundations Australia.

CFAustralia Update

Highlights from the 2022 National Community Foundations Forum

On October 23-25, 120 community foundation practitioners gathered on Wadawurrung country in the heart of Geelong, Victoria, for the first national forum in three years.

Member Update

STOKED: a surf therapy program in the time of COVID

The STOKED Surfing Program continues to run in 2023, teaching young people surfing as a coping strategy for mental health, connecting them to community, and delivering education on mental health and wellbeing.

CFAustralia Update

New partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation

Community Foundations Australia announces a new partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation.

CFAustralia Update

Executive Officer Gerlinde Scholz announces departure

After four-and-a-half years at the helm, Gerlinde Scholz has informed the board that she will finish in her role at the end of June.

CFAustralia Update

Chief Executive Officer vacancy - now recruiting

Community Foundations Australia is now recruiting for a full-time Chief Executive Officer.

Member Update

The Southern Highlands Community Foundation celebrates 21 years.

This year, the community foundation serving the communities across the Southern Highlands in NSW celebrates its 21st anniversary.

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What we do

Community Foundations Australia is the peak body that unites, represents, and supports community foundations in a national network to amplify their collective voice and impact.

Our community foundation members use first-hand knowledge of local issues to make their communities healthier and fairer, more inclusive and sustainable. We support them through a range of bespoke services, built on close relationships and trust.

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What Our Members Say ...

"Thank you for the help you have provided… being welcomed back into the community foundation fold has been very pleasing and has provided more connections for us. We look forward to our continued relationship."

"I appreciate Community Foundations Australia’s readiness to help, whenever we need assistance."

"The member catch-up sent my mind spinning about CRM opportunities. It’s very inspiring to hear what others are doing, there’s a lot to be learned!"

"The introductions Community Foundations Australia have made have been invaluable, so too have been the opportunities to share knowledge on everything from software to organisational policies."

"Thanks, team. Some fabulous articles in the newsletter. Couldn’t have been more spot on in terms of timing for us."

"Thank you for the opportunity to speak at the workshop. Taking part has given me such a great insight into the wider development of community foundations, and a big jump in energy for things up here!"

"I really appreciate the Community Foundations Australia meet-ups, and the focus on supporting ourselves and others. Thank you for creating a reason to pause and take stock."

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Acknowledgement of Country

Community Foundations Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians of the country where Community Foundations Australia and its Community Foundation members operate. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.