Government builds strong foundations in Ballarat

A Community Foundation sub-fund providing support for disadvantaged residents of Wendouree and Delacombe is one of the first recipients of funding from a new Victorian Government initiative.

Community Development Minister Peter Batchelor has announced The Ballarat Foundation, along with foundations from Bass Coast and the South-West, had each received $100,000 as part of the Government’s $5.3 million Community Foundations Initiative.

“The Victorian Government is taking action to support communities during these tough economic times and this initiative is about giving disadvantaged communities a helping hand,” Mr Batchelor said.

“The Community Foundations Initiative was developed to establish independent funds for local communities that can grow and be held in perpetuity.

“Today’s contribution of $100,000 to each Foundation is a part of the first of many investments we will be making in places where there is the right mix of not only community need, but also community support and enthusiasm.

“We encourage them to continue to raise their own funding from local businesses, philanthropists and fundraising events and a year’s time each of these foundations will be eligible for up to $200,000 further from the Victorian Government.

“This money will be invested, and the interest and equity used to fund local projects in disadvantaged areas,” he said.

Mr Batchelor said The Ballarat Foundation will use this new funding to establish a sub-fund specifically for the Wendouree and Delacombe areas.

“These two areas are part of the Government’s Neighbourhood Renewal program and I believe it is a terrific opportunity to link the two initiatives to deliver even greater outcomes for local people,” he said.

Mr Batchelor said the benefit of using a sub fund model was that it allowed for the establishment of a separate advisory committee, which can work closely with a particular community.

“This advisory committee can draw on that community for membership, knowledge about local issues and raise funds for a corpus specifically allocated to that area.

“But because it’s still linked to the larger foundation, it can benefit from the sound governance and administrative structure already in place.

“We also encourage local people to “give where you live” and support the foundation in the Ballarat community; because you can be assured that your donation will help people in your local area.”