The 2020 Women and Change grant of up to $50,000 has launched with Expressions of Interest open from July 1.

”2020 has been an extraordinary year so far and we are witnessing charities being flexible and creative to continue to help people in need,” said  Genevieve Fraser, Chair of Women and Change.

“Our members are always willing to invest in new solutions and we know this year there will be plenty of charities looking for funds to change lives for the better,” Genevieve said.

”We want charities to contact us  if they have a project that helps vulnerable Queenslanders and need funding to make it happen,” she said.

Women and Change is Queensland’s first giving circle, established in 2014, and each year members collectively donate over $50,000 to a project that helps Queenslanders in  need. The members have given over $300,000 to charitable projects over the last 6 years.

All the information on the 2020 grant is available on the Women and Change website with the first step being a short EOI for interested applicants. (see link below)

Grants

“We know charities are all hands on deck so our Grants team has a streamlined process starting with a short initial Expression of Interest ,” Genevieve said.

“Members review the EOI’s and then shortlisted applicants are invited to submit a full application.”

“We meet again to review each Full application and three finalists are invited to present  at our Voting Night in November.”

Genevieve said  members develop a good sense of emerging and urgent needs and the feedback is that applicants benefit from the process of transparent communication about their projects.

“We’ve been really pleased to see the enthusiasm of our members who are rejoining in 2020 – keen to donate to worthy projects.”

For more information contact Women and Change on grants@womenandchange.com.au Continue reading 2020 Grant Open →

Join Women and Change in Conversation with Philanthropy Australia CEO Sarah Davies. We will discuss  the recent  Celeste Barber fundraising effort and investigate the role of philanthropy in rebuilding Australia post the bushfires and the COVID_19 pandemic.

Registration opens soon.

The Millennial generation are often labelled as the ‘me’ generation but the uncomfortable truth is that 420,000 Australians under 24 are caring for a disabled or severely ill parent, brother or sister.

This phenomenon is something Founder of Carers Foundation Australia, Ronnie Benbow, is determined will not go unnoticed.

This year, with the help of a $50,000 grant from Queensland giving circle Women and Change, Ronnie provided respite for almost 100 Queensland teen carers suffering stress or depression associated with caring.

“We have given these teens, who are often isolated from friends because of their caring responsibilities, the opportunity to be supported and connect with other people in similar situations,” Ronnie said.

“This is often for the first time they have met other teens and friends who can relate to exactly what they’re going through,” she said.  “Teenage carers arrive to our wellness programs totally stressed, full of anxiety, mostly depressed, angry and resentful – the suicidal thoughts amongst them is a great concern.”

“They have no choice but to do what they do and they see things as children they should never have to see,” says Ronnie.  “Yet after three days in our care they are transformed.”

Ronnie explained that funding for this important respite is hard to come by and that a group of community minded Queensland women had come to the rescue.

“Women and Change, a group of over fifty women, pooled their funds and chose us as their grant recipient last year,” says Ronnie.

Women and Change is Queensland’s first ‘giving circle’ and has given away over $250,000 since it was established in 2014. Each year at least 50 members donate $1000* to provide an annual $50,000 grant to a Queensland charity helping people in need.

“Our grant process uncovers hidden figures like Ronnie and the Carers Foundation who are putting their heart and soul into helping people whose needs we either don’t hear about or understand,” says Chair of Women and Change. Genevieve Fraser.

“As individuals we could not afford to support a programme like this but together we have been able to change the lives of these teens,” she said.

“Previous grants have helped change the lives of Queenslanders in need from refugee women in the city (Muooz restaurant) to families geographically isolated from health services in outback Queensland (Outback Futures).”

“When our members heard from Ronnie at our voting night they saw that the Carers Foundation permanently changed the lives of these teenage carers.

“Finding funding for these activities is a constant struggle for a grass roots community group like Carers Foundation.”

“Our 2019 grant application process closes at the end of August and we are keen to see which great causes this uncovers,” said Genevieve.

*Women and Change

Women and Change Young members donate $500 per annum while Ordinary members donate $1000 in either a lump sum or monthly payments with 100% of funds being tax deductible. 100% of donated funds are provided to the charity selected by the members.

**Carers Foundation mid-year report to Women and Change showed that

• 100% attendees learnt a new strategy to use when returning home so they can cope
• 98% of children stated they were less depressed than on arrival (reduction in suicidal tendencies)
• 97% reported reduced anxiety with levels of up to 10/10 on arrival, reduced to 1-3/10 on departure
• 99% reported they were much happier and less stressed