BALLARAT CHRISTMAS APPEAL LAUNCHES

The Ballarat Foundation today launched the 2026 Ballarat Christmas Appeal, calling on the community to come together to support local individuals and families facing hardship during the festive season.

For more than 40 years, the Ballarat Christmas Appeal has helped ensure people across our region can access support when they need it most.

This year's appeal introduces new opportunities for community involvement, including a dedicated Matched Giving Day in partnership with 3BA, alongside collection points for donations of non-perishable food, unwrapped toys and gifts.

Matched Giving Day will see local businesses contribute to a matching pool, allowing eligible community donations made on the day to be matched dollar-for-dollar. By doubling the value of donations, the initiative will help provide even greater support to local individuals and families experiencing hardship this Christmas.

The Ballarat Foundation is pleased to announce that, through its partnership with 3BA, Harvey Norman Ballarat has become the first local business to support the inaugural Matched Giving Day, committing $1,000 to the matching pool.

Every donation remains local, supporting a network of emergency relief partners including Anglicare, Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul and Uniting Ballarat working directly with people experiencing hardship across our region.

Andrew Eales, Chief Executive Officer of the Ballarat Foundation, said the appeal continues to play an important role in supporting vulnerable members of the community during what can be a particularly difficult time of year.

"While Christmas is a time of celebration for many, we know there are local individuals and families facing significant financial pressure. The support provided through the Ballarat Christmas Appeal helps our emergency relief partners respond to immediate needs and ensures assistance reaches people in our community when they need it most.

The generosity of our community continues to make a real difference. Every donation, no matter the size, helps provide practical support and brings hope to those doing it tough.

Matched Giving Day is an exciting new addition to the Appeal because it gives donors the opportunity to see their support go even further. We'd love to see the community get behind the day, while also encouraging more local businesses to join the matching pool and help maximise the impact for local people doing it tough this Christmas."

3BA General Manager John Fitzgibbon said the station was proud to once again partner with the Ballarat Foundation for the appeal.

“Our listeners have always been incredibly generous when local people need support, and this initiative gives the community the chance to make an even bigger difference.

Matched Giving Day is all about bringing businesses and the community together to support local families. We're delighted that Harvey Norman Ballarat is leading the way as our first business partner, and we hope their contribution inspires many others to get involved.

Together, we can help ensure more local families and individuals receive the support they need this Christmas."

A key focus of this year's campaign is encouraging financial donations, which provide emergency relief partners with the flexibility to respond to individual circumstances and purchase exactly what is needed, when it is needed.

On Matched Giving Day, every eligible donation will be matched by generous local business partners, doubling the impact of each gift and helping more people across our region access support this Christmas. Additional local businesses are being invited to join the matching pool and help increase the impact of community donations.

Community members can also support the appeal by donating non-perishable food, unwrapped toys and gifts at collection points across Ballarat. These donations will help emergency relief partners provide practical assistance and bring joy to local children and families during the festive season.

2026 Christmas Appeal Collection Points

Donations can be dropped off at:

3BA Ballarat
56 Lydiard Street NorthBallarat

Anglicare Ballarat
14 Victoria St, Bakery Hill 10am to 2pm Monday - Thursday

Bank Australia
327 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central

Girrabanya Child Care Centre
11B Steinfeld St North, Ballarat Central 

Haymes Paint 
109-117 Creswick Rd,Ballarat Central

Hideaway Coffee Bar
69 Water Street,Brown Hill

St Vincent de Paul
4 Dawson Street SouthBallarat10am to 2pm Fridays

Step Up Support Services
200 Skipton St Ballarat

Toyworld Ballarat
903 Howitt Street, WendoureeDuring opening hours

Additional collection points may be added throughout the appeal period and will be listed on the Ballarat Foundation website.

Donation of goods close on 14 December 2026, allowing donations to be distributed through emergency relief partners in time to support local individuals and families during the Christmas period.

Financial donations through www.ballaratfoundation.org.au remain open up until 31 December 2026.

Whether through a financial donation, participation in Matched Giving Day or by donating goods at a local collection point, every contribution helps ensure more local people experience dignity, connection and hope this Christmas.

To donate or learn more, visit www.ballaratfoundation.org.au.