Our groundbreaking grantees are making meaningful changes for women survivors through support and innovative pathways. As a result of our combined investment, Melbourne Women’s Foundation members have made enabled significant transformations for women and families in need.
For more reports about the impact of Melbourne Women’s Foundation grants see our Grants Impact page
Signature and Nurturing Grantees 2022
You Matter provided everything needed to set up 56 homes (havens) for women survivors and 78 children, reducing the likelihood of women returning to an abusive partner due to lack of basic needs.
Tradeswomen Community Foundation provides job-ready skills, mentoring, and entry programs to help women experiencing disadvantage. Their remade for Trade program assisted unemployed women in Brimbank, Nillumbik and Dandenong shires access to hands-on training and assistance in seeking employment.
Merit Award Grantees - 2022
Law & Advocacy Centre for Women offers alternative pathways for socially and economically disadvantaged women who are charged with criminal offences, helping these women avoid being caught up in the justice system.
“We would like to sincerely thank the MWF and its members for supporting our work.”
Elena Pappas – CEO, Law and Advocacy Centre for Women
Wellsprings for Women in 2023, provided material aid to culturally and linguistically diverse women who experience family violence. They offered essential items such as groceries, vouchers to purchase supplies, hot meals, personal care items, clothing, and household goods.
The Northern Community Legal Centre established the Merri-bek Take the First Step Project with funds from the 2023 Melbourne Women’s Foundation Merit Award, a private donation through the Melbourne Women’s Foundation, in addition to support from the Merri-bek Council.
The project trained 12 culturally diverse Peer Educators to provide support to victims/survivors of family violence and create culturally appropriate messages distributed throughout their community networks.
First Step allocated their Merit Award funds to their Road Home Project. A collaboration between housing support staff at Launch Housing East St Kilda (LHESK) and First Step practitioners GPs, mental health nurses and lawyers. They provide free health and legal services one day per week within a women-only emergency housing facility.
In addition to this initial project, First Step is now achieving positive outcomes for clients and staff at a second Launch Housing site. Furthermore, an independent evaluation of the service is underway. We look forward to hearing more about the outcomes of this vital wrap-around service for women.