MenuThe Future2 Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), has awarded $191,066 in new grants to 20 not-for-profit organisations in 2019, an increase of more than 5 per cent over last year. Future2 has now committed $1,195,066 in grants since its inception in 2007.
FPA members endorse every dollar awarded by the Future2 Foundation to the Make the Difference! grants program. Future2 actively supports projects that give hope to 12-25 year old Australians around the country who are experiencing social, financial or physical hardship.
Future2 Chair Petra Churcher said the work of charitable organisations right across Australia is recognised and supported by the Future2 Make the Difference! grants program.
“We are grateful for the generosity of FPA members and supporters of Future2 who commit their time and energy to help make a meaningful difference to their communities. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to boost grants from $181,000 last year to $191,066 in 2019,” said Ms Churcher.
“We received many grant applications this year and it was inspiring to hear of the many ways our members contribute to their local communities with volunteer work, pro-bono financial planning services and other support.
“Future2 has so many great success stories. We have been able to help young people through a range of programs: from mentoring to suicide prevention, to indigenous and refugee welfare to employment programs.”
Next year’s grant applications open mid-2020, with information available at www.future2foundation.org.au.
2019 Future2 Make the Difference! Grant Recipients
Country to Canberra, Canberra ACT
Endorsed by Craig Phillips AFP®
Country to Canberra is a national not-for-profit providing education, leadership and mentorship opportunities to regional and remote teenage girls who are financially or socially disadvantaged. Project Empower is Country to Canberra’s gender equality and leadership workshop series delivered directly to regional and remote communities. The workshops teach girls about self-esteem, sexual harassment, respectful relationships, stereotypes, intersectionality, leadership, goal-setting, and their futures. The grant helps expand Project Empower’s reach by enabling the program to run again in low social-economic regions, remote towns and regions.
Kulture Break, Canberra ACT
Endorsed by Wayne Lucerne AFP®
Kulture Break is a registered charity aiming to promote empowerment and cultural appreciation in young people by delivering wellbeing and inclusion programs such as MAKE YOUR MOVE dance classes, the ELEVATE DANCE AND MUSIC programs and the MAN UP & LADIES 1ST MENTORING programs. The programs develop performance skills, grow confidence, improve health and help create new friendships. The grant will provide funding for 15 young people to participate in one of these programs after school at one of the Kulture Break studios.
Fighting Chance Australia, Frenchs Forest NSW
Endorsed by Ian Wright CFP®
Fighting Chance is a not-for-profit organisation offering services to support individuals with a disability in work and skill development through two social enterprises, Avenue and Jigsaw. Avenue is an accessible co-working space supporting individuals of all abilities with micro-enterprises or individual projects. Jigsaw supports people with disabilities in successfully securing mainstream employment at a rate exceeding the national benchmark, through the targeted intervention of a work-based training program.The grant will support six high school students to participate in a work experience placement.
Human Nature Adventure Therapy, Mullumbimby NSW
Endorsed by Shane Hayes CFP®
Human Nature Adventure Therapy is a charity organisation that aims to address a massive gap in mental health interventions for the most at-risk and disadvantaged young people. Their Recre8 program provides impactful professional therapeutic mentoring for these young people to work through challenges, heal underlying issues, and transform their lives. The program combines longer-term, in-depth therapeutic support with time in nature on an expedition, which helps young people engage in a non-clinical, comfortable environment with mental health professionals. The grant will help continue funding for this program to reach more young people in the region.
Top Blokes Foundation, Sydney NSW
Endorsed by Kevin McDonald CFP®
The Top Blokes Foundation (TBF) is a charity that improves the mental health, emotional resilience and community engagement of at-risk and disadvantaged young males aged 10-24 through our peer-led mentoring and community leadership programs. TBF’s Building Blokes program is an 8-week mentoring program for disengaged and at-risk young males aged 16-24 years aiming to improve their resilience, communication and conflict resolution skills. The grant will fund 3 x Building Blokes programs to support 45 young men.
Micah Projects, Brisbane QLD
Endorsed by Louise Wegner-Parker AFP®
Micah Projects is a registered charity dedicated to providing services and opportunities for communities in need. Micah Projects Young Mothers for Young Women (YMYW) provides a range of support services to young, pregnant and parenting women 25 years and under, along with their children and families. The ‘Be Your Best’ program aims to equip these young mothers with the confidence, connections and soft skills to re-engage with employment or education. The grant will fund the recruitment of 12 past participants of the program to assist with the program for new mothers.
Smart Pups Assistance Dogs for Special Needs Children, Sunshine Coast QLD
Endorsed by Sara Stephens CFP®
Smart Pups Assistance Dogs is a not-for-profit aiming to raise, train and place Assistance Dogs as early intervention support, assisting young people with disability and promoting their participation and inclusion in home and social life. A Smart Pup uniquely provides 24/7 emotional and physical support to help ensure the safety and well-being of the recipient child. The grant will go towards the organisation’s breeding program to purchase specially selected dogs that will produce puppies that have inherited desirable qualities and characteristics of assistance dogs, including good health that is present in their parents. Smart Pups Assistance Dogs was also awarded a $10,000 Future2 grant in 2018.
SunnyKids Inc., Nambour QLD
Endorsed by Greg Tindall CFP®
SunnyKids is a children’s charity on the Sunshine Coast that aims to keep at risk kids safe, ensure they have food, shelter and a good sense of belonging in their community so they can become contributing citizens and reach their full potential. Their ‘Mentoring Through Sport’ program is delivered through schools with activities supported by local and national sporting identities. The grant will support about 80 medium to high risk students that need post-program support from a Sunnykids Practitioner consultant. SunnyKids was also awarded a $10,000 Future2 grant in 2018.
The Compass Institute, Palmwoods QLD
Endorsed by Justin Scattini CFP®
The Compass Institute is a registered charity supporting young adults with intellectual disabilities to live full lives through social enterprises and daily activities. Examples of training opportunities and activities include learning to be a barista in one of the organisation’s cafes, attending the animals and orchards at Compass Farm, harvesting the farm’s produce to make jams and chutneys to sell in their retail store, or travelling by public transport to the library. The grant will help launch a new program for trainees to enhance, build and grow on their current skill level in the multimedia industries and communications.
Autism SA, Netley SA
Endorsed by Michael Stone CFP®
Autism SA is a charity and disability services provider helping families and individuals on the autism spectrum. Autism SA’s ‘NEXT STEP’ is a skills development program focused on life, social and pre-employment skills for school leavers and adults to pursue further education, voluntary or paid employment. It also endeavours to teach money management skills to empower people to manage their own finances and increase their literacy. The program focuses on experiential learning delivered via workshops, capacity building exercises and exposure to real workplace situations. The grant will fund the purchase of video and editing equipment to help expand education channels to video and online conferencing.
Sammy D Foundation, Edwardstown SA
Endorsed by Darren Hocking CFP®
The Sammy D Foundation is a charity established in 2008 in response to the tragic death of 17 year old Sam Davis from an unprovoked one punch assault, with the sole purpose of educating young people about the impact of violence, and the consequences it has on victims, perpetrators, bystanders, friends, family and the broader community. Their ‘Skills for Life’ program supports young people aged 16-24 who are navigating the transition from adolescence to adulthood to develop the skills to make positive life choices. The program provides a life skills toolkit through an interactive model of peer led learning that encompasses quizzes, games and group discussion. This grant will fund 20 participants to take part in the ‘Skills for Life’ program over a year.
Youth Opportunities Association (SA) Inc, Somerton Park SA
Endorsed by Peta Nunn CFP®
Youth Opportunities is a charity that provides disengaged and disadvantaged young people across South Australia with the tools and knowledge to overcome obstacles associated with bullying, low self-esteem, anxiety, family dysfunction and poor school engagement. Through their ‘Personal Leadership Program,’ young people are empowered with new skillsets in confidence, resilience, happiness, motivation and sustainable life habits. The grant will fund the delivery of the ‘Personal Leadership Program’ with young people in need from Woodville High School during Term 1, 2020.
West Moonah Community House, West Moonah TAS
Endorsed by Todd Kennedy CFP®
West Moonah Community House is a not-for-profit organisation that supports disadvantaged people in their community by providing a range of services including educational and training programs, social activities, physical recreation, art and craft programs, and a community preschool. West Moonah Community House runs a training program for young people struggling to learn Road Safety and Road Rules by offering learning in the four main mediums Auditory, Kinaesthetic, Written and Visual. Through this program, young people are able to become confident in their knowledge and ability to obtain their Learner’s permit. The grant will benefit young people identified by local high schools, TAFEs and youth agencies. West Moonah Community House was also awarded a $10,000 Future2 grant in 2018.
Windeward Bound Foundation Ltd, Hobart TAS
Endorsed by Vijesh Nandan AFP®
The Windeward Bound Foundation Ltd supports The Windeward Bound Trust, which uses adventure under sail to develop self-confidence, life skills and community spirit in the youth of Australia, with an emphasis on those in need or at-risk. Windeward Bound’s ‘Sail Training Program’ has provided life changing experiences to approximately 5000 young people over the last 15 years. Sail trainees participate in all aspects of the 24 hour operations of the ship. The grant will support the ‘Sail Training Program’ by funding the replacement of the ships wet weather gear for 29 participants.
Ladder Project Foundation, Carlton North VIC
Endorsed by Benjamin Ross CFP®
Ladder is the official charity of the AFL Players’ Association championing social change through its programs focusing on health and wellbeing, life skills, mentoring and education employment, and training. Ladder’s mentoring program connects disadvantaged young people with industry leaders to gain new skills in ongoing education, training or employment. The grant will fund 5 group mentoring days over a year, which will benefit 40 young people.
Ocean Mind, Torquay VIC
Endorsed by Matthew Torney CFP®
Ocean Mind is a not-for-profit charity that provides therapeutic surf programs for young people experiencing mental health issues, social isolation and disability. Ocean Mind’s core surf therapy program involves 1:1 surfing and mentoring sessions as well as group socialisation activities and the option for participants to become a peer mentor to develop skills to carry through their education, social and professional life. The grant will support 90 young people to participate in the program, train 50 new volunteers and train 10 peer mentors.
Society Melbourne, Melbourne VIC
Endorsed by Simon Coad AFP®
Society Melbourne is a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to end youth homelessness in Australia by supporting young Australians to co-create their own pathways out of the homelessness cycle through education and job training, housing support and paid employment. Society Melbourne runs four social enterprises: Crêpes for Change, The Coffee Cart Changing Lives, home.one, and home.two. Society Melbourne’s Hospitality Training Program is their flagship impact program that provides education, training and employment for young Australians facing homelessness. The program participants are given support to transition into further education or employment in their chosen field, and are often able to find long-term employment within Society Melbourne’s network of industry partners. The grant will fund and enable about 35 young people to participate in the hospitality training program.
South Sudanese Australian Youth United, Melbourne VIC
Endorsed by Scott Brouwer CFP®
South Sudanese Australian Youth United (SSAYU) is a non-profit organisation with a primary focus of empowering South Sudanese young people in areas of education and employment, whilst combating issues of alcoholism and high rates of incarceration. SSAYU’s ‘Bounce Back Pathway’ is a mentoring program empowering young people to reach their highest potential through mentorship and sport – basketball. The grant will help to fund more participants to the program over the next three years.
Kids Camps Inc TA Cahoots, Osborne Park WA
Endorsed by Gary Thorniley CFP®
Cahoots creates inclusive opportunities for children and young people living with disability and others that face exceptional challenges to develop friendships, skills and confidence.
Their ‘Reconnect Youth Program’ is a regional camp building resilience, positive networks, and community involvement for youth through workshops and activities. The grant will fund this particular program helping Cahoots build capacity within the region.
Leading Youth Forward, Claremont WA
Endorsed by Zacary Leeson CFP®
Leading Youth Forward is a registered charity that supports and empowers at-risk teens ages 12-15 in Perth by providing positive experiences, mentors and role models. LYF aims to enhance the lives of at-risk Perth teenagers in school years 8-10 by providing positive experiences, mentors and role models. LYF also provides respite to family members and caregivers. Teens participate in a year-long program with a combination of focused small group activities and charity wide events such as their Big Day Out (BDO) development days and a kick-off camp. The grant will help fund the BDO days and help Leading Youth Forward reach a significantly larger group of teens needing support. Leading Youth Forward was also awarded a $10,000 Future2 grant in 2018.
