Local not-for-profits We Care Connect and Options Theatre Company have been awarded $128K in grants by the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.
Options Theatre Company received $80K for an industry-standard theatrical lighting rig, retractable configurable seating and the yet to be completed fit-out of a box office and café.
The unique theatre company, based at Tuggerah, offers training in the creative arts to people with disabilities.
We Care Connect was awarded $48K for a vehicle to collect and deliver more than 45,000 essential items to disadvantaged babies and young children across the Central Coast.
Newly-appointed Charitable Foundation Executive Officer, Carly Bush, said with the impacts of COVID hitting support organisations and charities hard, communities need funding more than ever.
“Some charities and regional communities aren’t eligible or can’t access government funding and infrastructure, so the Charitable Foundation tries to fill those gaps,” she said.
This year the Charitable Foundation has $800,000 on offer to support new or existing projects in the Central Coast, Hunter, Central West, New England, Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers regions of NSW.
“This latest grant round of $800,000 means the Charitable Foundation will have provided $25 million in funding to support more than 520 initiatives,” Bush said.
“We’re keen to support initiatives that rewrite the future of people in need, now and for generations to come. Especially those with a focus on health, young people and social wellbeing.”
She said many charities don’t have resources to make funding applications, so the Charitable Foundation makes applying online straight forward.
Charities are being offered the opportunity to take part in an online workshop on 24 March via the Foundation’s website that guides them through the application process.
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation was created almost 20 years ago as a gift from Newcastle Permanent Building Society to the community.
Nicola Riches