FIVE South East organisations have received a share of $50,000 after their applications for the Stand Like Stone (SLS) 2018 OneFortyOne (OFO) Community Capacity Building Grants were successful.
The partnership between OFO and SLS started in 2014 and has since distributed $80,000 across eight charitable projects that have built capacity in the Limestone Coast.
The OneFortyOne Community Capacity Building Grants have delivered a further $50,000 into the community, with several projects receiving support in 2018.
OFO general manager Willie Van Niekerk said there were 20 applicants for the grants this year, each with high quality applications.
“It made it really hard to choose the applicants, but we were able to identify five really worthy community-based organisations,” Mr Van Niekerk said.
Youth Opportunities Association (SA) received a grant of $18,000, which will be used to provide personal leadership programs for youth in the Limestone Coast.
The program assists in addressing disadvantage and disengagement and enables early intervention to create lasting positive change in the lives of participants.
Regional Foodbank Mount Gambier was also successful, receiving $10,000 to assist with increasing capacity of the warehouse through the construction of an annexe to accommodate the loading and unloading of produce.
“It is great to support such a fantastic organisation like Foodbank, which has identified a need and is supported by the community,” SLS chairman Bill DeGaris said.
A further $6800 was presented to The Australian Migrant Resource Centre for the community vegetable garden, while the Naracoorte Independent Learning Centre and Centacare Catholic Family Services received the remaining $7200 and $8000 respectively for different projects.
Mr Van Niekerk said the funding would not be possible without the strong ongoing partnership between OFO and SLS over the last four years.
“Supporting the well-being of people in the region will create the positive future we are all striving for,” Mr Van Niekerk said.
“We have seen wonderful outcomes from the projects funded previously and we remain committed to those initiatives that deliver real value back into the community.”
SLS executive officer Georgie McKay said the partnership was effective and was hopeful more organisations would benefit in the future.
“The funding partnership with OFO assists our region to grow and become resilient,” Ms McKay said.
“The increase to $50,000 funding this year has enabled the support of more worthwhile projects and will assist to deliver real and sustainable impact in local communities.”
In August 2018, SLS will invite applications for its small grants program, offering up to $5000 for charitable projects.
