The Ross Trust

The roll out of the FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) IRCF program to rural Victoria is a fabulous example of an evidenced-based, community led, placed based initiative. After the development of a 2.5 year philanthropic collaboration, it’s exciting to see this coming to life. Thank you FRRR for your terrific leadership.

Our CEO Sarah Hardy last week attended the launch of the new The Ballarat Foundation Hugh Williamson Community Hub. It was two years ago that we held a roundtable lunch to introduce the Foundation CEO Andrew Eales to Victorian philanthropic organisations who might be interested in supporting the development of the Hub. The Foundation needed grants from philanthropy to add to government funding. As a result, the Hugh D. T. Williamson Foundation, who attended the lunch, made a $500.000 grant. The Hub is now named after Hugh Williamson, who was born in Ballarat in 1901 and was a prominent member of the Ballarat community. "The Ross Trust made a $50,000 grant to contributing towards IT on the new hub," Sarah said. "A small grant from us leveraged a huge gain for The Ballarat Foundation. This highlights how philanthropy can do so much for relatively little effort, to enable the mobilisation of financial resources for the community." Congratulations to all involved. Equity Trustees, Juliana Addison MP Photo shows Stephen Newton (Chair, Hugh Williamson Foundation), Andrew Eales (CEO, Ballarat foundation), Grant Hooper (Equity Trustees), Sarah Hardy (The Ross Trust), and Wayne Weaire GAICD (Chair, Ballarat Foundation)

Parents, carers, and school staff can find it difficult to find resources on school attendance issues (also known as school can't and emotionally based school avoidance). So we are pleased to support a new Deakin University ‘one-stop shop’ digital resource, which will provide integrated and easily accessible information. Within one year of the launch, the initiative – which is the first of its type in Australia - aims to engage 5500 parents and train 4000 school staff. We are committing $187,738 over three years to the project, while co-funder, Brian M. Davis Charitable Foundation, is committing $190,000 over the same period. Deakin University’s Glenn Melvin, an internationally recognised researcher and clinician, will lead the initiative. #education #schoolrefusal #schoolabsenteeism #schoolattendance #school #philanthropy #philanthropymatters

Does your NFP need office furniture? PROJECT ROCKIT is moving and has furniture and equipment available. See this post from Rosie Thomas OAM.

We are proud supporters of Melbourne City Mission (MCM) and the unique Living Learning program at its independent school, Hester Hornbrook Academy. The school provides wraparound mental health and specialist education to students as they work towards a senior secondary qualification.  Our CEO Sarah Hardy says the trust has a strong relationship with MCM and is delighted to be able to explore financial models that address needs for young people trying to overcome barriers to complete their education. With the right support, every student can find their pathway.

As this article explains so well, we can achieve a much greater impact if we collaborate, partner and fund big ideas and solutions over the long-term. Philanthropy can and must take risks with its grantmaking so we can test new ways of thinking and working to address big, hairy problems and find solutions. Otherwise how will we ever know? Writer Nick Place mentions a number of organisations in this article, including Watertrust Australia Ltd, who we have long supported. We have to be bold in our philanthropic practice. We are proud to be walking alongside Watertrust, with many other funders, as they navigate complex and contentious water issues across Australia. Institute of Community Directors Australia Greg Thom Philanthropy Australia

Congratulations to Madeleine Buchner OAM and the team at Little Dreamers Australia for their success at the HESTA Excellence Awards. We are proud to support Little Dreamers' important work to improve the lives of Young Carers.

MITS is a transition school and boarding program for Indigenous students. Based on Wurundjeri Country in Richmond, Victoria, students come from remote and regional communities across the NT and Victoria. Students spend two years learning at the MITS classrooms and live together in one of the MITS boarding houses, which provide a culturally celebratory home away from home. After Year 8, the students continue to board at MITS and move into Years 9 to 12 at one of 12 Pathways Schools throughout Melbourne. MITS has seen huge benefits after engaging mental health practitioner Emma Puddy to work with female students - and now the school is looking for a male team member to support the young fellas. The Ross Trust is delighted to be providing $150,000 over three years to fund the new position. “We want to find somebody who is excited about supporting our fellas, their families, and their schools,” said Head of Boarding and Wellbeing Lia Bartholomew. "While we would love to find a First Nations person, we are also open to other applicants. The most important thing is that we find somebody to be a strong, trusted and committed role model.” You can read more about MITS and the role on our website. Edward Tudor Paul Barcham Richmond Football Club #philanthropy #education #indigenousstudents

A huge thanks to Philanthropy Australia and everybody involved in last week's engaging and thought-provoking conference in beautiful Adelaide.     Our CEO Sarah Hardy, Senior Grants Manager Meghan Weekes GAICD, Trustee Jenny Stephens GAICD and Chair Jon Webster enjoyed catching up in person with others in the sector, as well as making new connections. Talking face-to-face remains the best way to learn and share knowledge.    Thank you as well to the incredible Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM (pictured, right, with Sarah), who was our guest at the conference. We know that Kirstin's words of wisdom on head and heart leadership resonated with many delegates. Maree Sidey Adam Ognall #philanthropy #philanthropymatters

So good to have great representation at the PA conference! #PAConference2024