Our Impact

2023 at a Glance

Our Impact:

Community impact is a core focus for the Ballarat Foundation. We measure our success by the level of positive outcomes we create.

Central to the long-term vision of the Foundation is the creation of the Ballarat Community Hub, a project which will both establish a sustainable revenue stream but also enable smaller not-for-profit organisations to collaborate in an affordable and modern manner. Demolition work on the facility began in late 2023, with the expectation operations will begin in early 2025.

Continuing the legacy of the Ballarat Winter and Christmas Appeals passed from radio station 3BA 102.3FM to the Ballarat Foundation in 2022. More than $140,000 was distributed across the appeals in 2023 in financial support, with tens of thousands of dollars in food and household items distributed to Ballarat families, providing them with immediate support in difficult times

In March 2023, the Ballarat Women’s Fund was launched. The fund is a giving circle model, providing members with the opportunity to influence local responses to issues including gendered violence and inequality. Through memberships, donations and matched funding, more than $100,000 was raised in the first year of operation – a reflection both of the importance of these issues and the willingness of the community to unite in response, with three organisations receiving funding in support of positive action.

In October, the Foundation hosted the Ballarat Celebration of Giving Lunch, featuring Olympic Gold Medallist Cathy Freeman, speaking about her athletic career and how she gives back to community.

The lunch provided a platform to launch the Ballarat Foundation’s five year strategy – an ambitious plan to deliver $1 million in annual financial distributions to the Ballarat community by the end of 2028.

Our work to facilitate better community outcomes through our established L2P, Ballarat Reads and Volunteering Ballarat programs continues. Through these programs, we have been able to connect more than 3000 individuals and businesses with the Ballarat Foundation and make a difference to our community. Through these programs were are giving young people an opportunity to gain a driver's licence, putting thousands of books in the hands of preschool children to improve their literacy skills and connecting community members to give in support of organisations spreading positive programs.