Dear ,
Our stories this month focus on the central premise of Fremantle Foundation: making your giving go further.
Whether you are a generous local wanting to make a real difference in your community, an astute donor keen on realising your donation tax benefits, a community group wanting to enable lasting change, or a business wanting to show genuine corporate social responsibility, Fremantle Foundation can help to make your generosity have more local impact in Fremantle and across WA.
Read our news stories with heart and soul - and consider the possibilities!
But firstly, watch our video on how the WA Relief & Recovery Fund: COVID19 supported the WA community during the first phase of COVID19
Supporting our incredible local charities
ConnectedBy is a creative space for learning sharing and growing that provides current and ex ADF personnel, first responders, and the general public the opportunity to learn share and grow through engaging and challenging creative pursuits.
Due to the generosity of the Bray Family Fund, we were able to distribute a $5000 grant to support the activities and programs offered by ConnectedBy.
CircusWA is contributing to a connected, inclusive and better world. Where youth of all backgrounds and abilities come to experience collaboration and creativity. Where an exciting circus arts program stimulates an authentic exchange of ideas and friendships. Where our community is introduced to the joy and energy of circus arts.
Funding through the Circus WA Fund, held with the Fremantle Foundation, will help CircusWA support the growth of WA youth programs for children living with disability, Aboriginal youth, and all aspiring young artists. This is a circus revolution, read more about the Together We Can campaign and how you can help.
Giving beyond Fremantle
Phoenix Support & Advocacy is one of very few organisations within metropolitan Western Australia that provides a highly specialised trauma-informed service specifically for survivors of historical child sexual abuse. The counselling support is person-centred and responds to the individual and unique needs of each client. One of our long-term fund holders provided a $2000 grant to help run an 8-week Trauma Yoga Workshop for Adult survivors
Funding to strengthen our regions
Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Mt Gibson Endangered Wildlife Restoration Project. Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary protects a large area of diverse habitat in the south of Western Australia. As the site of an ambitious reintroduction project, it is set to play a critical role in the conservation of the threatened mammals of southwestern Australia. The Hakea Fund, held with the Fremantle Foundation, donated $3000 towards this project.
Blaze Aid, a volunteer-based organisation works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods. The volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.
In April 2021, Cyclone Seroja caused catastrophic damage to many farms and towns across the Mid-west region of WA. Blaze Aid were tasked with setting up a camp to assist farmers with recovery in the township of Yuna.
Funding through the AFL Rams Community Support Fund, facilitated by the Fremantle Foundation made it possible for over 100 volunteers to show their support to get farmers back on track even after the camp had closed and helping 113 properties get back to normalcy.
What else have we been up to
Meet Mrinal Banerjee, who joined us in March after having spent just over a month as a McCusker Centre for Citizenship intern with the Fremantle Foundation late last year. Mrinal is passionate about storytelling and looks forward to learning more about the projects Fremantle Foundation is involved with and coming up with new ways to translate the work done by Fremantle Foundation to the wider community.
Congratulations to Sophie Chamberlain & Simone Eley, Impact100 WA and Asha Bhat, Southern Aboriginal Corporation, winners in the Pro Bono Impact 25 National Awards which honour the social sector's most influential people for their significant and positive impact in Australia and around the world.
Meeting with Dr Andrew Leigh MP & Mr Josh Wilson MP. Fremantle Foundation had the opportunity to meet with Dr Andrew Leigh MP and Mr Josh Wilson MP, last week to discuss the important role community philanthropy plays in helping to create stronger and more connected communities. In addition, we spoke of how the Federal Government can better support Community Foundations and local charities.
What we are reading & listening to
Australian charities locked into funding starvation mode, Pro Bono 24th March 2022
How Can I Help – podcast | Pro Bono Australia
If you haven’t already or there is someone you know, who would like to start a fund and begin building a legacy of charitable giving, we would love to hear from you.
Thank you for caring about the community that we live in and contributing to a stronger, fairer and more sustainable world.
Warm regards
Sue Stepatschuk
Executive Officer
