31 March 2025
The Funding Network (TFN) is proud to announce that its Thriving Young People crowdfunding events have raised an extraordinary $550,000+ to fund grassroots organisations creating opportunities for young people in New South Wales and Victoria.
This funding will directly support programs tackling youth unemployment, mental health, refugee support, and First Nations housing, changing the lives of hundreds of young Australians experiencing entrenched disadvantage.
At events held in Sydney and Melbourne, hundreds of people came together to back six incredible grassroots organisations at critical growth stages. Each of these organisations is on a mission to break cycles of disadvantage, provide safe spaces, and unlock potential for the next generation.
Approximately 460 young people in New South Wales are expected to directly benefit from funding:
Australian Refugee Volunteers (ARV) – $95,700 raised to expand programs supporting 300 refugee and asylum seeker children.
Bandu – $123,456 secured to provide culturally safe housing for 32 First Nations apprentices relocating from regional Australia to pursue trades.
Grow the Future Bega – $134,500 committed to equip 128 young people in the Bega Valley with confidence, skills, and employment pathways.
Approximately 4,800 young people in Victoria are expected to directly benefit from funding.
Future Minds Network – $66,000 raised to empower 100 young artists with a creative hub to express themselves and build skills.
Gnarly Neighbours – $70,500 secured to connect 116 young people with mental health support through skateboarding.
Read the Play – $68,000 committed to delivering mental health literacy programs for 4,600 young athletes.
For many small organisations, securing funding is a relentless challenge. Terence Takaindisa, Grants Manager at Australian Refugee Volunteers (ARV), shared his perspective on the reality of fundraising:
“As a small non-profit, it feels like 99% of our grant applications are knocked back. To raise almost $100K in one night is an absolute game-changer for ARV. More than just the funding, it gives me the confidence to keep going because last night proved that what we are doing is absolutely worthy of support.”
This sentiment was echoed by Edward Morgan from Bandu, who emphasised the profound impact of having community backing at such a critical moment of growth.
For organisations like Future Minds Network, this funding is not just about financial support - it’s about restoring hope and creating opportunities where none existed.
Nathaniel Diong, Founder & CEO of Future Minds Network, shared:
“In one night, the lives of 100 young artists were transformed. Some are just 11 years old. For years, they felt unseen, unheard—left behind in a system that didn’t recognise their potential. This funding changes that.
Now, they have a place to be seen. A place to create. A place to belong. These young people finally have the opportunity to find purpose, build skills, and express themselves in ways they never thought possible.”
These remarkable fundraising results - the highest ever raised at a Melbourne event and the largest post-COVID total in Sydney - are a testament to the power of collective giving. When communities unite behind grassroots organisations at pivotal moments, they provide the flexible funding needed to scale impact, drive innovation, and create lasting change.
Unlike traditional grants, trust-based philanthropy removes barriers, ensuring that funding reaches the people and initiatives best placed to make an impact. By believing in grassroots leaders and resourcing them directly, the sector fuels bold ideas, strengthens communities, and creates real, lasting transformation.
The support and buy-in from corporate event partners play a critical role in making these events possible - further broadening the networks and ensuring that grassroots organisations receive the visibility, connections, and funding they need to thrive.
Kristen Lark, CEO of The Funding Network, has seen firsthand the transformative impact of early-stage funding support:
“When people come together to back grassroots leaders, the impact grows far beyond the initial investment - what starts as a single act of generosity ripples outward, creating lasting change for individuals, families, and communities.
This funding isn’t just about what happens today - it’s about what happens next. These organisations now have the resources to scale, innovate, and drive long-term impact, proving that trust-based philanthropy has the power to transform lives well beyond the initial investment.”
The success of these events proves that when generosity is amplified through trust, the impact is exponential.