Here to help
A SMALL gift can go a long way when those little gifts become one.
Such is the benefit of donating to community foundations in South Gippsland.
Through raising sponsorship for the benefit of locals, the Mirboo North and District, and Bass Coast community foundations are transforming the future for community groups and individuals.
The foundations offer a diversity of funding, including community grants and back to school vouchers.
The Mirboo North foundation services Boolarra, Darlimurla, Dumbalk, Mirboo North, Thorpdale and Yinnar, while the Bass Coast foundation assists the entire Bass Coast Shire.
Applications for the Bass Coast foundation’s performance award closed recently, offering support to a young person keen to pursue music, dance or drama studies.
“We have some amazing kids. It is most extraordinary what comes out of small regions,” Bass Coast Community Foundation executive officer Kate Dwyer said.
With so many grants available and from various sources, the Bass Coast foundation has acted to streamline the application process.
“In Bass Coast, we have together all the local grant-makers so instead of the community groups applying at different times, we are trying to work together to help alleviate the situation so it will be of enormous help to our community organisations,” Ms Dwyer said.
Ms Dwyer and Mirboo North foundation executive officer Derrick Ehmke recently returned from the national conference of Australian Community Philanthropy in the Yarra Valley.
Mr Ehmke is a board member of the organisation, the umbrella group for all community foundations in Australia.
They heard from Ian Bird, the CEO of Community Foundations Canada. He told delegates of the importance of working with the communities they serve and supporting programs those communities need.
“It was said often it is not about the money; it is about the need and the end result,” Mr Ehmke said.
The Bass Coast Community Foundation may go beyond the realm of giving by researching community heath on behalf of Community Indicators Victoria.
“We are looking at doing work for the Bass Coast Shire area to look at health, crime, etc. to help us look at where our areas of need are,” Ms Dwyer said.
To find out more about donating or apply for funding, contact Ms Dwyer on 5672 3356 or Mr Ehmke on 0418 301 092, or see the websites: www.mirboodistrictfoundation.org.au and bccf.org.au
Ready to serve: Bass Coast Community Foundation executive officer Kate Dwyer (left) and Mirboo North and District Community Foundation executive officer Derrick Ehmke urge their communities to contact them.
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