News

A progress update from our Grantees

Together, we support women in practical and lasting ways, backing organisations that respond to complex challenges with insight, care and determination.

Whilst our major 2025 Enabling Grant and Capacity Building Grant recipients are just beginning to deploy their MWF funding, the immediate and longer term impacts of our collective giving are unfolding for our major 2024 grantees, PartnerSPEAK and WomenCAN.

PartnerSPEAK

2024 $45,000 Enabling Grant

PartnerSPEAK’s Warrant & Beyond program supports non-offending partners and families during and after law enforcement warrant activity. It is a critical moment that is often overlooked, where the right support can shape what happens next.

Through this grant, MWF members are helping strengthen frontline delivery, including peer support, family resources and core capacity.

This support is already making a difference. Referral pathways with law enforcement are strengthening. Engagement with families is happening earlier. And the organisation is contributing to research that will shape better responses over time.

Importantly, this is also an example of backing work early and helping it grow.

MWF’s funding has helped unlock further investment, with PartnerSPEAK securing a two-year $300,000 commitment from the Victorian Legal Services Board. This will enable the program to expand its reach and impact.

Over the past year, the team has grown, adapted its delivery model and deepened its partnerships. Early signs are encouraging, with increased awareness and referrals ensuring more families are connected to support when it matters most.

WomenCAN

2024 $80,000 Capacity Building Grant

Our support for WomenCAN reflects another important part of collective giving. Backing organisations not only in moments of growth, but also through challenge and change.

Through this grant, WomenCAN Work is supporting 20 women into the transport industry as bus and truck drivers. The program provides training, including heavy rigid licences, and creates pathways into stable, well-paid work in a traditionally male-dominated sector.

After early success, the program faced a significant setback when a key training and employment partner withdrew.

What followed speaks to the strength of the organisation.

WomenCAN responded by securing three new training and employment partners and continuing the program. This adaptability is what enables the work to continue and grow.

This is the strength of our giving circle.

We are not only funding programs. We are backing organisations to take considered risks, adapt when circumstances change, and continue working alongside women and their families.

It is this kind of gutsy work, grounded in care and informed by experience, that creates real and lasting impact.

And it is only possible because we do it together.

Pictured: PartnerSPEAK and MWF Grants Committee Co-Chairs at the 2024 Changemaker Awards.