The Christmas Grant 2023 is here to support local charities support our Cardinia community.

 We want to help you share more hampers, meals, toys and gifts with our community.  Or maybe you need some additional funds to support kids for the 2024 school year.

Grant round is now closed and assessment is under way, successful applicants will be notified shortly.

Community Grants

With your help over the past two decades we have distributed over $830,000 to support our local community.

Our next community grant round opens in February 2024. Sign up to our newsletter to find out more.

In the event of a community crisis like bushfires, floods or emergencies, The Cardinia Foundation stands ready to act outside our regular granting cycle. For such cases, we understand the urgency and will swiftly evaluate grant requests. We encourage you to reach out to discuss support from the Cardinia Foundation.

If you are a representative of a not-for-profit Community Organisation or Charity and would like to receive Grants information please use the contact form

2023 Grant Recipients

We wish to congratulate our 2023 grant recipients.

A Better Life For Foster Kids
The majority of children enter out-of-home-care with just the clothes they are wearing.

This grant provides support for Crisis Cases For Emergency Foster Care. Wheeled suitcases which provide children of all ages with approximately 55 items of clothing along with toiletries, hand-made dolls, and activity books especially written for children entering care.

ADRA
Every Thursday evening, the ADRA Community Bus is located at Bourke Park in Pakenham to support people in need. This grant provided funds to help fill the repurposed bus with fresh produce, food pantry items, material aid and tents/swags for people who are homeless. ADRA provides food provisions for families and individuals in crisis.
Bunyip Football Club
Defibrillators save lives. The first eight minutes after a person has a cardiac arrest are the most critical and early access to CPR and defibrillation can increase the likelihood of survival by up to 75 per cent. Players, supporters, volunteers and spectators at Bunyip Recreation Reserve can find the new defib on the outside of the change room wall thanks to this grant.
Cardinia Men's Shed
The Cardinia Men’s Shed is very community focused and seeks to assist where possible. To increase their impact throughout Cardinia, this grant provides funding for a trailer specifically designed to allow for service of BBQ events plus pick up and deliveries of supplies and products. This grant was supported by the Cardinia Casey Biggest Ever Blokes.
Rapid Relief Team Ltd
The Cardinia Food Box Project provides food to feed a family of four for up to 48 hours.The Rapid Relief Team work closely with local welfare organisations to ensure the Food Boxes are distributed to those most in need. Organisations supported include Orange Door Pakenham, Emerald Community House and Turning Point Pakenham.
This grant was supported by the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund.
Scope
Scope’s Pakenham Day and Lifestyle Options service will pilot a Music Therapy Program ‘Music to your Ears’ specifically for people with disability. Conducted by a fully qualified music therapist, the program will utilise music to help participants reduce stress and anxiety to improve their social interaction in the community.
Toy Libraries Australia Inc
The Pakenham and District Toy Library was supported to purchase toys and equipment which are now available for all Cardinia residents to borrow. This service, which reopened in 2023 provides toys to families at a low cost, helping families to save money on buying new toys and reduce toy waste to landfill. It also provides social support for parents and children. This grant was supported by the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund.
Upper Beaconsfield Community Centre
The Upper Beaconsfield Community Centre Early Learning Centre received a grant to build capacity in emotional regulation, resilience and social skills post lockdowns. This project will provide tailored activities and programs that focus on developing a variety skills, knowledge and strategies for all the children who attend the Centre.

How to Support Our Grant Program

If you would like to donate to help support our Grants Program, please click the link to explore donation options:

How to Donate