What a brilliant evening! In partnership with AMP Foundation, The Funding Network showcased four exceptional charities who are improving education and employment opportunities in our community.
A generous audience raised over $98,000 for the four finalists: Green Connect, Studio A, Daystar Foundation and Melbourne Indigenous Transition School. A special thank you to AMP Foundation who match-funded pledges on the night up to $10,000 for each charity.
See photos from the event and watch the videos.
Event partner:
Green Connect is a social enterprise that grows food sustainably and recovers waste. Green Connect actively employs refugees and at-risk youth, enabling them to put their ideas and talents to use in the community. The organisation hopes to raise funds for new HR and support systems to provide better support for its staff and lay the foundation for impact investment and growth.
www.green-connect.com.au
Watch the 6 minute pitch
Funds raised: $25,560
Read Green Connect's Application Read Green Connect's Financials
Studio A tackles the barriers that artists living with intellectual disability face in accessing conventional education, professional development pathways and opportunities needed to be successful and renowned visual artists. The enterprise paves professional pathways for such artists so they can achieve their artistic and economic aspirations. The organisation aims to fund a scholarship and bursary for a Studio A artist, facilitating in-depth opportunities to sustain a professional artistic practice and be matched with a specialist artist mentor. www.studioa.org.au
Watch the 6 minute pitch
Funds raised: $22,100
Daystar Foundation runs diverse Work for the Dole programs to assist the unemployed to become work-ready. The Foundation hopes to fund its social enterprise program called MOWtivation, which trains and employs disadvantaged groups to provide a cheaper alternative lawn mowing service to Bonnyrigg Housing Estate residents in Sydney's West. www.daystarfoundation.org.au
Watch the 6 minute pitch
Funds raised: $27,850
The Melbourne Indigenous Transition School (MITS) provides an innovative one-year transitional program for Year 7 students from remote Indigenous communities. Students live on campus in a home-style, culturally-celebratory environment and attend intensive classes with specialist teachers before transitioning into scholarships at Melbourne schools. MITS aims to fund further staff training and curriculum delivery as well as a part-time social worker to support student wellbeing. www.mitschool.org.au
Watch the 6 minute pitch
Funds raised: $28,000