January 2024 Community Grants announced

The Sisters of Charity Foundation provides grants of up to $15,000 to community projects that break down social isolation and alleviate the impact of poverty on individuals and families through its Community Grants Program.

Applications for the January grant round opened 1 December 2023 and closed 22 January 2024. In total 86 applications were submitted. Of these, 21 organisations were selected to receive grant funding.

A snapshot of the projects

Many people with disability find it challenging to participate in mainstream dance and sports without feeling judged, pressured and not catered for. Therapy and Dance Association Inc will use its Community Grant to provide classes to school-aged children and adults with disability on the Gold Coast. Classes are delivered by qualified occupational therapists with DanceAbility teacher certification, and supported by speech pathologists and psychologists.

Period poverty is prevalent in Australia, with 1 in 5 people who menstruate experiencing barriers to accessing period products. The TABOO Foundation delivers period products and menstrual health education to vulnerable communities to improve menstrual health outcomes in Australia.

LIVEfree Project is using its Community Grant to help run the GRIT Mentoring Program. This 20-week course for boys aged 6–18 in Newcastle teaches emotional resilience, empathy, healthy relationships, responsible leadership and lots more.

Brothers in Need Ltd will use its Community Grant to provide an additional 560 meals to homeless and hungry people in the Sydney CBD this winter. Clients also receive a food hamper, hygiene products, clothing and shoes, and additional services – like grooming and mental health support – as well as a welcoming community who will share a laugh and conversation with them.

Women and children escaping or living with domestic and family violence need access to a safe mobile phone to call for help, to access support and emergency services, and to maintain their social networks. DV Safe Phone volunteers collect donated phones; then clear, repair and send them to DV service providers and response agencies for them to distribute to clients in need.

List of successful Community Grant recipients

Below are the names of each organisation that received a grant in the January 2024 round and its project or program name.

• 4 Voices Global Ltd – ‘Golden Connections’
• Brothers in Need Ltd – ‘Wintertime Food Aid for Sydney Homeless’
• Carevan Blacktown – ‘Powering On Into 2024-2025’
• Community Health Onkaparinga – ‘Eat Well, Waste Less, Be Connected’
• DV Safe Phone – ‘Growing our network’
• Jesuit Refugee Services – ‘Foodbank Program’
• John’s Vision Inc – ‘Homeless Eyecare North’
• Koala Kids’ Back Packs Inc – ‘Empty Belly’
• LIVEfree Project Inc – ‘GRIT Mentoring Program’
• Mary Immaculate Parish Primary School – ‘Family Assistance Program’
• Mid Coast Outreach Inc – ‘No Child Should Go Hungry’
• Northern Community CareWorks – ‘Preston Clothing Hub’
• Restoration Care Australia Ltd – ‘Feeding the Homeless in Bundaberg’
• Sheltered by Grace – ‘Rehabilitation Recovery Program’
• Sonshine Sanctuary Association Inc – ‘Fixed Term Housing Officer’
• Sutherland Shire Refugee Connection – ‘HOME: Holistic Refugee Resettlement Program’
• Sydney Street Choir Foundation – ‘The Dillwynia Women’s Correctional Centre Choir Program’
• TABOO Foundation – ‘Initial Donors Project’
• The Backpack Venture Ltd – ‘The Backpack Venture’
• The Warrior Woman Foundation – ‘The Young Warrior Woman Program’
• Therapy and Dance Association Inc – ‘Therapy and dance classes for disadvantaged community members with disability’

How to apply for a Community Grant

If your organisation provides compassion, hope and practical assistance to people experiencing disadvantage or marginalisation, then you may be eligible for financial support from the Sisters of Charity Foundation.

The next grant round is the August 2024 Grant Round, which opens 5 August 2024 and closes 30 August 2024.

Please note: from 2025 onwards, the Sisters of Charity Foundation will have one grant round each year. This annual grant round will open mid-year.

Learn more about applying for a Community Grant.