MILDURA’S Christie Centre has received $50,000 to build greater social and economic inclusion, thanks to the Westpac Foundation.
The Christie Centre was among 39 other social enterprises who were announced on Monday as recipients of the foundation’s inaugural Inclusive Employment Grants.
Westpac Foundation’s $2 million grants program will be spread out over two years, to better support each social enterprise to build their capacity in either upskilling Australians experiencing disadvantage, such as First Nations people and those living with a disability; or creating employment opportunities in priority areas such as regional communities and the green economy.
Mildura’s Christie Centre Inc. was the only regional Victorian based organisation to receive funding from the grant.
The centre runs four social enterprises that provide pathways for skill development and supportive employment for people transitioning through its services.
Westpac Foundation CEO Amy Lyden said she was excited to see how the social enterprises would leverage the funding to build greater social and economic inclusion.
“By investing in and supporting employment-focused social enterprises, we aim to help create 10,000 jobs by 2030,” she said.
The Inclusive Employment Grants program is an evolution of Westpac Foundation’s Community Grants which from 2012 to 2021 awarded almost $11.7 million to small and local not-for-profit organisations across Australia.
“The Westpac Foundation has decided to revamp its grant structure by providing larger multi-year grants,” Ms Lyden said.
“This way we get to build long-term partnerships with recipients and walk alongside them as they grow their capability.”
Grant recipients will also receive non-financial support including being matched with a Westpac employee as a Community Ambassador to help access a broad range of networking, leadership, business strategy, governance and financial capability programs. On top of grant funding, a two-year impact study will be undertaken to measure the outcomes of the program.
