Workshop for grant-seekers

June 16, 2008:  More than 30 local community group representatives gathered at the Pambula-Merimbula Golf Club earlier this month to hone their grant seeking skills.

Bega Valley Shire Council hosted the free workshop to help groups access philanthropic funds.

A wide range of community groups was represented at the workshop, including Clean Energy for Eternity, the Wanga Idingii Program and Tulgeen Disability Services.

Research and training manager for Philanthropy Australia, Vanessa Meachen, ran the workshop bringing more than 10 years’ experience in the philanthropy field.

She has provided advice and information to major corporations, national and international trusts and foundations, politicians and policy makers, charities and community groups all around Australia.

The Grantseeker workshops provided community organisations with information on how to effectively source and apply for funding from various types of trusts and foundations, including corporate, community and private foundations.

The half-day workshop provided an overview of Australian trusts and foundations and the environment in which they operate.

Information on how to research potential funding sources, what to include in a submission, what to leave out, how to make your application easy to understand, and what makes foundations different from other funders was included.

Bega Valley Shire Council has bought the Australian Directory of Philanthropy which is a useful tool for not for profit organisations and community groups interested in what philanthropic funding opportunities are available.

To access this information directory phone Bega Valley Shire Council staff members, Emma Benton on 6499 2317, or Simon Schweitzer on 6499 2375.