Community programs receive a $380,000 present from nib

Christmas has come early for local community groups across Australia with nib foundation announcing more than $380,000 in funding grants as part of its fifth annual Community Grants program.

The funding will enable 13 charities to deliver unique approaches to improving the health challenges facing young people and carers.

nib foundation Chairman, Keith Lynch, said the foundation was proud to support the home-grown initiatives that are breaking new ground by meeting the needs of these key focal areas in practical and engaging ways.

“We believe we can make a difference by supporting worthy causes that will have a positive effect on local residents,” Mr Lynch said.

“These programs will allow us to do exactly that by challenging the way we address health and wellbeing issues in the community,” he added.

Individual program funding ranged from between $6,000 to $50,000. The beneficiaries of nib foundation’s 2013 Community Grants program are:

• Advisory Council for Children with Impaired Hearing: Mums are Amazing Program (Melbourne, VIC)

• ARAFMI Hunter: Mental Health Carers (Hunter, NSW)

• Arts Health Institute: Magic Mentoring Program (Hunter, NSW)

• Bateau Bay PCYC: Looking after Number One (Central Coast, NSW)

• Crohn’s & Colitis Australia: IBD Forums Program (Hunter and Sydney, NSW)

• Hunter New England Health: Keeping Connections Childhood Bereavement Support Program (Hunter, NSW)

• Kalparrin Early Childhood Intervention Program: Dads Can Program (Melbourne, VIC)

• OzHarvest: Food Rescue Program (Hunter, NSW)

• Mater Foundation: Refugee Youth Program (Brisbane, QLD)

• Quest for Life Foundation: Nourishing the Spirit (Central Coast, Sydney & Southern Highlands, NSW)

• South Coast Youth Health and Education Service Inc: My Accommodation Pathway (Gold Coast, QLD)

• Special Olympics Western Australia: Community Sports Link Program (Western Australia)

• The Western Suburbs Haven: Care for the Carer Program (Sydney, NSW)

The funding announcement comes as the foundation celebrates a major milestone, marking five years of grant-making.

“Since our establishment in 2008 following nib’s demutualisation, we have committed more than $10 million in funding helping to establish over 60 unique partnerships with Australian charities,” Mr Lynch said.

“These programs have already made a tangible difference to our community’s health and wellbeing positively impacting the lives of 35,000 Australians,” he added.

More information about nib foundation and our partners can be found at nibfoundation.com.au, opens in a new tab.