Community Funding for Wendouree-Delacombe

by Emma Brown (courtesy the Courier)

A WENDOUREE and Delacombe community committee will spearhead fundraising activities to raise $100,000 by August.

Launched this week, the fundraising campaign, along with $300,000 from the State Government, will establish a self-sustaining community fund for the Wendouree and Delacombe communities.

The Wendouree Delacombe community fund wiil operate as a sub-fund of The Ballarat Foundation and is part of the State Government’s Community Foundations initiative.

The Ballarat Foundation committee chairman Craig Coltman said the State Government had already contributed $100,000 to the fund.

The challenge is now on to match this fugure through local contributions, after which the governemnet will contribute a further $200,000 to create a $400,000 minimum capital base.

Mr Coltman said that while the Ballarat Foundation would provide the framework to manage the fund it would be community-driven.

“We want to engage the local community and give it ownership, as their involvement and engagement is important,” Mr Coltman said.

The capital base will be the core funds held in perpetuity which, through investment, will provide an annual income.

The income will then be directed back into the Wendouree and Delacombe communities as it is used to support community building projects and programs.

A gala event is planned for later in the year plus regular local fundraising and community awareness activities.