Strengthening Local Impact Through Community-Led Projects

Margaret Attwood Grant Advisory Committee from left – Justin Bice, Jack O’Sullivan, Rebecca Lovell, David Furci, Madeline Hines, Julia Thomas, Lauren Cornwall, Maryanne Stivactas, Isobel Gribben.

Six local initiatives addressing critical community needs have secured funding through the Greater Shepparton Foundation’s Margaret Attwood Grant Round, reinforcing the power of grassroots action in creating meaningful change.

This year’s round was one of the most competitive to date. A record 13 applications sought more than $130,000 in funding, over double the amount available. Every submission demonstrated genuine need, thoughtful design, and clear community benefit, making the Selection Committee’s task very challenging.

We are proud to support the following organisations and their impactful projects:

Generations Community Care – To support the ‘Tatura Meals Program’, a community initiative that empowers vulnerable and disadvantaged people by providing opportunities to develop cooking, hospitality and teamwork skills while preparing meals that provide food relief.

GV Family Care – To support early intervention in oral language development through the ‘Talk, Talk Play’ program.  A free group program to support two-and three-year-old children, and families, with delayed language.

Neighbourhood House Murchison – To contribute to its ‘Community IT Support’ program that will deliver weekly, onsite community IT support sessions, providing one-on-one assistance with devices, online services, emails, forms and digital safety.

Shepparton Foodshare - To engage a dedicated resource to establish new ‘Quality, Safe Food = Dignified Access' systems and processes in their new warehouse environment and to support the 40% increase in demand for food relief locally.

St Andrews Road Neighbourhood House - To continue their volunteer-led fortnightly ‘Community Lunch’ program that provides a welcoming, inclusive space for connection, nourishment, and community building.

St Paul's African House - To offer it’s ‘Afralian License2Work’ program that aims to address a major barrier for African new arrivals to their inclusion and participation in the Shepparton community and workforce - the ability to drive.

We congratulate these organisations and recognise the growing pressure on communities as cost-of-living challenges deepen, particularly in areas such as food security and social inclusion.

Each year, an independent Grant Advisory Committee, comprising local individuals with diverse expertise, undertakes the significant responsibility of reviewing applications. Their process goes beyond assessment on paper, engaging directly with shortlisted applicants to fully understand each project’s impact and alignment with community priorities. We extend our sincere thanks to this year’s Grant Advisory Committee for their dedication and insight.

Over the past decade, the Greater Shepparton Foundation and its predecessor organisation, the Community Fund Goulburn Valley, have distributed more than $1.1 million to local organisations. This achievement has been made possible through the generosity of the community and, more recently, the support of the Margaret Attwood Trust, together advancing a shared vision of an inclusive, connected region where everyone has the opportunity to participate.

This year’s applications highlighted a clear and urgent trend: increasing demand for programs addressing social inclusion and the cost-of-living crisis. In response, the Foundation will introduce an additional targeted grant opportunity later this year.

Forever 500 empowers community giving through a new, democratically driven grant program that puts decision-making directly in the hands of donors.

For as little as $50 a month you can make a big impact through the Forever 500 grant round. Each contribution is split evenly: $250 supports current grassroots projects, while $250 is invested into the Forever Fund, creating a lasting legacy that will benefit future generations.

Forever 500 is more than a donation—it’s a voice in shaping the future of the community.

To learn more about Forever 500 and to sign up, visit the ‘Get Involved’ page on the Greater Shepparton Foundation website.  Alternatively, if you would like to learn more about the projects supported via Greater Shepparton Foundations grant programs please click here.