Sydney Community Foundation
Established in 2004, Sydney Community Foundation (SCF) connects philanthropy with Sydney communities in most need. SCF have a range of capabilities including as small grant specialists distributing to innovative, grassroots charities as well as local high-impact projects that are community led, sustainable social investments. Their sub-funds include Sydney Women’s Fund, which advocates a gender lens giving to programs in the Greater Sydney area, and Be Kind Sydney, a place-based philanthropy program, supporting women and families in some of Sydney’s most disadvantaged postcodes.
Our Impact
The Next Generation has working with the SCF on a number of projects including:
Ukrainian Helping Hand Project
A project developed specifically with the Next Generation, Sydney Community Foundation initiated the Ukrainian Helping Hand Project (UHHP) delivered in partnership with the Ukrainian Council of NSW and NSW STARTTS. The program assisted in settling humanitarian arrivals in Sydney and across NSW. SCF built a whole program employing a Welcome Manager, as well as several part-time case workers with trauma support for women, and assisted families to secure permanent housing. Youth programs addressed young Ukrainians trauma and isolation, assisted with placement into school and universities, and provided regular cultural and social events. Alongside supporting the day-to-day needs of displaced Ukrainian families, the UHHP coordinated a diverse range of activities and support services, from housing and financial assistance to mental health support.
Supporting Talented Young Women facing disadvantage to excel at School
The Next Generation Foundation funded five Year Nine scholarships for talented young women attending NSW public schools. Each student received $5000 of support in the form of technology, vouchers for school supplies, tutoring and mentoring. The Sydney Women’s Fund Changemaker Scholarship is delivered in partnership with The Harding Miller Education Foundation and ensures Sydney’s future diverse female leaders are granted the opportunity to excel. Many of these young women experience difficult housing situations such as couch surfing or living in tents with limited access to hot water and electricity. The strain is immense, and it makes the students’ dedication to their studies even more impressive.
Developing Diverse Young Women Leaders
The Next Generation Foundation supported Sydney Community Foundation’s vital place-based work in Sydney inner city by funding the development of diverse young women leaders. Delivered by the Waterloo based, WEAVE Youth and Community Services, this program helps young women grow their leadership skills, build friendships and have fun together.
Saluting Sydney Women
Saluting Sydney Women is the flagship event for the Sydney Women’s Fund, a Key Impact Fund of Sydney Community Foundation. The event celebrates a trailblazing Sydney woman each year, a role model and contributor to social justice and the advancement of women in this city and beyond. In 2023, the recipient was Professor Larissa Behrendt AO, and thanks to support from The Next Generation Foundation, Sydney Women’s Fund was able to license a stunning artwork by Maddison Gibbs, a proud Barkindji woman, to use as the core motif of the event’s collateral. The Sydney Women’s Fund was also able to invite Nardi Simpson to honour Larissa in song in her Indigenous language.