Major funder backs trusted local leadership through WA community foundations
The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation is forging a distinctive partnership with community foundations to achieve ‘immediate impact’ where it’s needed in Western Australian communities.
The trust-based giving model recognises that community foundations hold the key relationships central to achieving significant long-term change in their local areas, said Chair Elizabeth Perron.
Rather than directing funding from a centralised office in Perth, the Foundation decided to support community foundations across Western Australia, including the Peel and Fremantle Community Foundations, last year with significant unrestricted funding gifts. It has gone on to develop a close relationship with the community foundations in Denmark and Albany.
“Our passion for Community Foundations is due, in part, to my dad Stan’s belief that the greatest impact comes from supporting individuals and organisations who are committed to giving back to their own communities. That is exactly the role Community Foundations play,” said Elizabeth.
“Because Community Foundations are created and led by local people, they have an intimate understanding of their communities’ priorities and are uniquely positioned to invest in the initiatives that will deliver the greatest long-term benefit,” she said.
“When you talk to someone like Karen Burford, the Chair of the Denmark Community Foundation, who is one of the most amazing humans, you realise her genuine connection and passion for her community. Karen’s insights and visibility in the community give the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation comfort that funding be very impactful.
“I decided to contact Karen and said, ‘Hi my name is Elizabeth from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, and we would like to make a contribution to your Community Foundation.
“I told Karen the amount of the contribution and she cried with joy. It has been an enduring relationship since.”
Read more on the impact of the Denmark Community Foundation and the relationship.
Elizabeth first became aware of the work that Community Foundations do through Dylan Smith, Co-CEO of Community Foundations Australia in his former role as WA’s Director of Engagement at Philanthropy Australia. He was also the founding Executive Officer of the Fremantle Foundation prior to that.
“Every now and then, Community Foundations would come up in conversation with Dylan and he was always very passionate about them because of his past involvement,” said Elizabeth.
While the foundation had previously funded local causes through various pathways, when she learned more about what individual community foundations were doing across WA, “We thought maybe this is a way we can directly reach people in communities”.
Elizabeth and Suzanne Sweeney, the Foundation’s Community Grant Administrator, took a road trip to Albany and Denmark in May. They attended the Denmark Community Foundation Breakfast to meet locals and hear of the many projects underway. This was followed by a tour to see first-hand some of the programs that the funding had supported. One project was an all-access pathway to a local children’s playground (main image).
“It just confirmed that they’re amazing with what they do. And it’s not just short-term fixes. They’re really trying to make a difference for the long term and shift policy too,” said Elizabeth.
The partnership is a testament to trust-based philanthropy, grounded in relationship. The initial gift has evolved into a multi-year arrangement. In light-touch reporting, Denmark and Albany Community Foundations send the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation a list of what they’ve funded.
“We had confidence in them from the beginning, that trust is now embedded,” said Elizabeth. “The Community Foundations are also encouraged to bring forward larger projects they’ve identified that may benefit from one-off funding. This has led to additional support for major initiatives, including community hubs and social services. “People in the community know to call the Albany or Denmark Community Foundation when they have a challenge,” said Elizabeth.
Dylan said the approach marks a deliberate shift away from top-down philanthropy. “It’s about trusting local knowledge and supporting communities to make the right decisions for themselves. This kind of philanthropy calls on a community’s latent capacity and lets it flourish.”
The partnership also highlights the broader role private philanthropy can play in strengthening community-led development. Dylan identifies three key areas: increasing funds available for distribution, supporting operational capacity and contributing to long-term endowments that anchor resources locally.
“In places like Denmark, it’s enabled activity that wasn’t possible before,” he said. “It’s not just funding projects – it’s strengthening leadership, building local systems and enabling communities to shape their own future.”
The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation is also using its ties to put community foundations in touch with other funders for types of projects it doesn’t fund. Elizabeth (pictured left) hopes that they can be a catalyst for other funders to support community philanthropy.
“Collaboration is the greatest thing with funders and community partners. Albany and Denmark work hand-in-hand well together. They know where their boundaries are with what they support. And they want the same thing – the best outcomes for their communities.
“Seeing the passion that people like Karen have and how they’re recreating safe spaces for adults and young people to meet stays with you,” said Elizabeth.
“It’s amazing to see the change that the community foundations are making in Denmark and Albany.”