Strategic Initiatives

Through research and collaboration with the broader community, not-for-profit, philanthropic and government sectors, Melbourne Community Foundation identifies strategic funding priorities which become a key focus of its future grantmaking for a defined period of time.

Development and implementation of these strategic initiatives is based on Melbourne Community Foundation's commitment to:

  • building a quality understanding of community needs and issues based on research and expert input
  • developing partnerships with like minded people and organisations
  • raising a pool of funds from a range of donors to meet those needs.

To date, the following initiatives have been undertaken or are being planned for the future

MacroMelbourne (ongoing)
MacroMelbourne is the second major initiative to be implemented as part of MCF's strategic funding focus. Its purpose is to find ways to contribute to Melbourne being a liveable city as it faces the challenges of growth over the next 25 years.
               

Indigenous Education and Capacity building (ongoing)
Support for Indigenous issues is a key concern for a number of Melbourne Community Foundation donors, with a particular focus on education. The Foundation's role is to support and promote a range of initiatives and projects with which donors, Board and staff are involved, to the broader donor community and beyond.

Positive Ageing (ongoing)
With Australia’s rapidly ageing population, Positive Ageing, and a focus on supporting older people to remain as active members of their communities, has been approved by the MCF Board to be adopted as a strategic initiative in 2011.

Youth at Risk (2005-09)
Youth at Risk was the first of MCF's strategic initiatives, with the aim of expanding opportunities for disadvantaged young people in danger of dropping out of the education system and therefore limiting access to vocational training and employment.