How it works
About
Growing community foundations for a fairer Australia.
About community foundations

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
$M
granted between financial years 2019 - 2021
$M
aggregate funds under management (30/6/2021)
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.

Connect with us

There are many ways to get involved with Community Foundations Australia – as a partner, supporter, or member. We also welcome inquiries from the general community about our work and our member foundations’ impact. The easiest way is to connect for a conversation.

News & Stories
Updates from and about Australia’s community foundations
News & Analysis
Member Update
SA Disaster Recovery Fund to target long-term community wellbeing.
Member Update
This year, the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation (LMCF) celebrates its centenary.
Passionate community foundation advocate, Marion Webster AM was recently appointed Member of the Order of Australia
Community Foundations Australia is seeking to recruit a part-time Operations Manager.
Member Update
Community Foundations Australia member Geelong Community Foundation is seeking to recruit a part-time Program Manager to work from its Geelong office.
CFAustralia Update
Watch our short video compilation showcasing highlights from the 2022 National Community Foundations Forum.
Member Update
Diane Bray AM retires after ten years as Chair of Hands Across Canberra.
CFAustralia Update
CFAustralia warmly welcomes Stacey Thomas and Loredana Fyffe to its Board of Directors.
Member Update
The Ballarat Foundation receives award for its outstanding community leadership.
Member Update
The Tomorrow Today Foundation receives award for the Education Benalla Program's Early Years response to Covid-19
Events
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."
STORIES FROM THE NETWORK
The power of local action in a crisis: a COVID-19 case study on The Ballarat Foundation

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and public health response that included lockdowns led to an economic crisis that has played out throughout our communities. Community foundations have been at the forefront of the response.