are-able Foundation grants close Friday 2 February

Community-based programs that will increase people’s employability and social activity have until this Friday this week to apply for up to $10,000 in funding from a Foundation initiated by regional Victoria’s leading employment services provider.

The are-able Foundation, formerly known as the are-able Charitable Trust, is a perpetual fund allocating up to $10,000 per organisation per year, to foster programs and initiatives that help people with a disability or disadvantage to gain employment, employment-related skills, or training, social involvement and access to their local community. Applications for the latest round of Foundation funding close at 5pm Friday 2 February 2018.

are-able CEO Barrie Elvish said the organisation initiated the Foundation to support groups and programs in the regions that are-able operated across regional Victoria and South East South Australia. He explained that since its creation in 2004, the Foundation had contributed more than $800,000 to local communities as part of the organisation’s vision to change people’s lives and strengthen communities.

“The Foundation’s allocations have, in the past, created opportunities such as a café to be set up and run by a group of people living with a disability; local schools and sporting groups have improved wheelchair and disability access around their grounds and facilities; we had an all-abilities basketball team attend a state tournament; or building upgrades have been undertaken so young parents can undertake employment skills training.

“The list of projects we have, and can fund, is diverse and different – we look forward each year to seeing what the latest round of applications brings, because it highlights how creative, resourceful and passionate people in regional Victoria are about helping people without a job, or access to facilities and opportunities many of us take for granted.”

Allocations from the Foundation are typically made twice a year, with a subcommittee of are-able’s Committee of Management charged with reviewing and selecting applications.

Mr Elvish said the sub-committee prioritised applications from other not-for-profit entities, who could demonstrate how an initiative or project would benefit people living with a disability or disadvantage, or help people with a disability or disadvantage boost future job prospects.

The are-able Foundation’s corpus was built from the organisation’s own funds, and Mr Elvish said the employment services provider and Registered Training Organisation provider was now looking to add outside contributions to build the Foundation even more.

“We have put the effort in to establish the Foundation and we know from our own business networks that it’s something other organisations are impressed by and see the need for; we’re already in discussions with a number of national operations about how they can become involved. More input means more communities can benefit, so we are keen to build this further.”

Organisations or groups interested in the are-able Foundation can click here for more details, contact their local are-able office or phone1800 566 066. Applications must be endorsed by, and submitted via a locally-based are-able office.