|
In the News We've changed names and our look! As Australia's premier community foundation this positions us well for future growth as a national entity, as we continue to set the benchmark for best-practice philanthropic services and products in Australia. Employment Opportunities The focus of the role is to develop and lead Australian Communities Foundation's: donor grantmaking programs and services
The purpose of this position is to provide:
Closing date for applications for both positions: Friday 26 August, 2011. Further details including the positions descriptions and application process is available at Employment Opportunities on www.communityfoundation.org.au Corporate Funds iPad/myWorld!!! In 2005, Slater & Gordon established a second sub-fund, The Slater & Gordon Asbestos Research Fund. This sub-fund primarily supports medical research to find a cure for asbestos related diseases, particularly mesothelioma. This sub-fund has already granted over $1M to research-based organisations across Australia. In June 2011, the Slater & Gordon Community Fund made a grant to Spinal Cord Injuries Australia for the IPad/myWorld project. The funds have allowed the purchase of iPads 2s for eight Education and Peer Support Officers to streamline their work, particularly in the spinal units at the Prince of Wales and Royal North Shore hospitals in Sydney. For the first time they will have a truly mobile office! The accessible technology and the array of apps available makes for a more inclusive world and will guarantee quick and accurate answers to urgent questions, making an extraordinary difference to clients in intensive care, acute care and in the rehabilitation units. The Education and Peer Support Officers will be able to demonstrate the best technologies available as part of their interaction with clients, from hospital to rehab to home. Donor Stories N E Bequest Fund In April 2010 Nick passed away and left a bequest to his sub-fund at Australian Communities Foundation. Nick was a leading actuary, investment and finance activitist and participated in dozens of causes and organisations that supported intellectual liberty and personal freedom. Nick had a passion for simplicity and fairness in taxation that led him to write extensively on taxation matters and to make substantial submissions to federal and state governments. He also wrote for dozens of publications and published more than 70 books. In 2004, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia, for services to the insurance and securities industries and to the community, as a contributor to the development of shareholder organisations. Australian Communities Foundation will continue to make grants from the family fund and the bequest, working closely with his widow Jennifer. Jennifer also has grantmaking interests and is looking forward to becoming more involved. Dare to dream Following John's death from a brain tumour, in 2007, Australian Communities Foundation established a sub-fund, the John Cummins Memorial Fund at the request of family, friends, colleagues and comrades. They have established an advisory Committee, 'Cummo's Committee. Since inception, it has made grants to Austin Health. With matching funds from a bequest received at Austin Health, they are able to employ a permanent Brain Tumour Support Officer. This unique position provides support for patients diagnosed with a brain tumour as well as their families and carers. In addition, for the past two years the John Cummins Memorial sub-fund has been making scholarships available to students in the Northern suburbs. The scholarships are awarded to support young secondary school students who display determination, commitment and passion. The scholarships support students who are experiencing financial disadvantage and who are striving to achieve their potential. In total 61 scholarships have been awarded since 2008 to students in need, providing students with items including yearly travel cards to much needed school books and extra tuition. Application forms and further details will soon be available at www.cummo.com.au. Closing date is Wednesday 19 October, 2011.
Granting in Action AFUW Scholarships The Federation works for the advancement and equality of opportunity of women worldwide through initiatives in education, friendship and peace. AFUW Victoria was founded in 1920 as an association of women graduates and established a sub-fund with Australian Communities Foundation in 2003. AFUW Victoria places priority on providing financial assistance for women to undertake university studies in Victoria and has developed an annual program of scholarships for women who are experiencing financial difficulty. This year scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 were awarded to 13 women studying at University campuses across Victoria, including RMIT University, Deakin University, University of Melbourne, Victoria University and Monash University. For more information on 2011 scholarship recipients and AFUW Victoria, visit www.afuwvic.org.au
Save the Murray – Environment Victoria The Windsor Inquiry into the socio-economic impacts of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan was announced in the aftermath of the release of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority Guide last October. The findings of the Inquiry have been released with one of the recommendations being to suspend all 'non-strategic water buybacks'. In contrast, Environment Victoria believes that voluntary water buybacks must continue as they are the most effective and efficient way of returning water to the environment. The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists has also been critical of the Windsor report, which they say won't save the Basin. In this year's State budget, it was announced that Environment Victoria, one of Victoria's major non-government environment groups, has lost a considerable portion of its State Government funding. This means that it's various campaigns and education programs are even more dependent than before on philanthropic and community support. Environment Victoria is campaigning to have 7600 billion litres of water returned to the Murray-Darling Basin. They argue that any less will put rivers and the communities that depend on them in jeopardy. A healthy Murray-Darling Basin would deliver almost $10 billion in environmental, social and economic benefits to Australians. In the lead-up to the release of the Murray Darling Basin Plan later this year, Environment Victoria will be hosting a series of workshops in regional Victoria, to highlight the benefits to all communities of restore the Murray. http://www.environmentvictoria.org.au/content/save-murray Australian Communities Foundation has supported this campaign through the Alf & Meg Steele Fund. |
Upcoming Events Marketing & Fundraising Part 2 – Donors’ Experiences Disability Projects – Special Briefing for Philanthropy 2nd Annual Ethics in Philanthropy Debate A special End of Year Donor Event Annual General Meeting
 |
