Our Strategy
The Ballarat Foundation’s 2024-28 strategy represents a bold and forward-looking vision and is designed to amplify our impact, foster collaboration and ensure we are working to address societal inequality now and in the future.
The Ballarat Foundation’s new strategic direction introduces key initiatives focussed on addressing the persistent causes of inequality, whilst also enhancing our philanthropic services and aligns with our mission, vision and values.
Vision
Enabling giving to build thriving communities free from disadvantage in the Ballarat region.
Mission
The Ballarat Foundation inspires positive community change by supporting programs and enabling philanthropic solutions which reduce disadvantage and encourage connection, cohesion and prosperity.
Key values
For more than 40 years, The Ballarat Foundation and United Way Ballarat have been catalysts for positive social change and supporting those in need in Ballarat and surrounding regions.
Responsible
We are accountable to our donors, partners and the communities we serve. We are good stewards of the funds we raise and will ensure our distributions and reporting are transparent.
Enabling
We amplify our impact by working in partnership with others to build a strong community.
Leadership
We are a leader and innovator in philanthropy.
Inclusive
We embrace and promote inclusivity and equity. We are committed to actively supporting and promoting diversity across leadership, staff, volunteers, participants and grant recipients.
our history
1983
United Way Ballarat was founded by local citizens in 1983 as the Ballarat District Community Fund to raise and distribute resources back to the community in the areas identified as most in need.
1998
Board of United Way Ballarat (UWB) voted to support the development of The Ballarat Foundation (TBF) through the small community development budget alongside a DEETYA grant.
2001
February 19 the Ballarat Foundation Trust was endorsed by ATO as tax exempt entity.
2007
Full time CEO was employed for the Ballarat Foundation.
2008
Ballarat Cares came under the umbrella of United Way Ballarat. Ballarat Cares facilitated Ballarat businesses to deliver corporate social responsibility activities.
2009
UWB incorporates the Ballarat Volunteer Resource Centre which became Volunteering Ballarat.
2012
July 1 saw UWB and TBF combine operational and HR resources whilst retaining separate legal identities.
2013
In the latter half of the year, Lead On came under the umbrella of UWB. Operations of the L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program were taken over by UWB.
2016
TBF and UW align their strategy and collective impact to focus more specifically on breaking the cycles of disadvantage across the community. The four pillars of impact become Early Childhood, Youth Success, Food Security and Housing.
2018
Ballarat Foundation picks up the void left by the discontinued Run Ballarat and launches Run for a Cause.
2019
The Ballarat Foundation and United Way Ballarat bring together their legal entities to form one organisation: Ballarat Foundation United Way Inc.
The inaugural Dancing with our Stars fundraising event held at Ballarat’s Civic Hall.
2022
Vital Signs Report released and online data portal created, providing community access to more than 100 social indicators and changing the foundation’s impact strategy.
Ballarat Foundation forms partnership with 3BA 102.3FM to manage the Ballarat Winter and Christmas Appeals.
2023
Ballarat Women’s Fund established, providing funding for responses to family violence and gender inequality.
2024
$150,000 provided to Community Care Centre Ballarat and Ballarat Zero Project in response to homelessness in Ballarat.
Ballarat Foundation Giving Hub at Hugh Williamson House redevelopment project completed.
Future Shapers Fund partnership with the Committee for Ballarat launched.
2025
Respect Ballarat Launched. Partnership with Respect Victoria established, with $1 million held in stewardship by the Ballarat Foundation to administer grants that prevent gendered violence and support community behaviour change initiatives.
We work on Wadawurrung land
The Ballarat Foundation acknowledges the Wadawurrung people, the traditional owners of the lands and waterways in our region. We recognise their diversity, resilience, and the ongoing place that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hold in our communities. We pay our respects to the Elders, both past and present, and commit to working together in the spirit of mutual understanding, respect and reconciliation.
The Ballarat Foundation is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive community where everyone is welcomed, respected and empowered to thrive.