To support local grass roots projects
Greater Shepparton Foundation was thrilled to fund another five projects this year via its annual funding round, the Margaret Attwood Grant Round.
A total of $50,000 has been distributed this year to support the place-based projects of the successful applicants the Crazy Ideas College, Horses for Hope, GV Afghan Youth Association, Shepparton Foodshare and the Umoja Empowerment Group. These organisation’s projects address a need in our community and align with our vision for inclusive, interconnected communities where everybody has equal opportunity to participate.
Crazy Ideas College project received funding to conduct the 2025 Crazy Ideas College Shepparton Social Innovators program. This program sees young people supported to voice their ideas, uncover great ideas for our community and to feel confident about making their mark on the world.
Shepparton Foodshare received funding to purchase food staples that are in short supply. This vital local service has experienced an unprecedented need for food relief this year and distributed a record 490,000 kilograms of food. It relies of food donations and rescues; this grant will assist them to keep up with the increased demand.
GV Afghan Youth Association received funds to development and deliver its Ramadan Ifta Dinner on March 15, 2025. This initiative will share the tradition of coming together at Ramadan in the spirit of community unity, generosity and celebration of diversity, food and culture.
Horses for Hope will utilise the funds for the upgrades required to create a welcoming and warm accessible therapy space for its Equine-Assisted therapy that brings humans and horses together in a healing environment.
Funds were granted to Umjoa Empowerment Group for its Clean People Connecting Hopes project. Specifically, funds will assist with the start-up costs of the project that aims to improve community inclusion and increase opportunities for refugees.
Grant applications are assessed by an independent ‘grant advisory committee’ that is convened annually.
To date GSF has funded 30 local projects via this annual grant program and more than $362,000 in funds has been distributed.
Our grants are community strengthening and seek to support small grass roots projects that deliver big impact for our community! The focus areas for our annual small grants program includes Parenting and Early Education; Social Inclusion; Housing; Safe Families; Employment; Economic Engagement; Aging well; Flood Recovery and the Cost of Living Crisis.
The grant process is twofold. It provides support for many diverse projects delivered to support our community, and it uncovers some of the wonderful work that others are doing to support and provide equal opportunity locally.
When we discover new and wonderful organisations, non-for-profits and social enterprises operating to benefit our community, we often uncover innovative ways to collaborate, support and create impact in areas of need.
This year our sought-after annual grant program welcomed a new partner, the Margaret Attwood Trust. The Trust will support this grant program in perpetuity. In the spirit of Margaret Attwood’s generous contributions to the Shepparton community, Greater Shepparton Foundation is honoured to offer this annual grant round in her name.
Grant guidelines can be found on the ‘Grants’ page here. Alternatively, should you wish to discuss a project please email info@greatershepparton.foundation. Grants generally open in April/May annually.
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