Snow Foundation $1.2 Million Helping Hand in 2014
A juvenile justice mentoring program, a weekend home for homeless fathers to enjoy with their children and a computer clubhouse for marginalised youth in Tuggeranong are amongst the 48 community organisations and 22 individuals receiving grants from the $1.2 million donated by the Snow Foundation in 2014.
Announcing the Foundation’s 2014 grants at a Community Morning Tea, Chief Executive Officer Georgina Byron said the Foundation was committed passionately to improving the lives of people who were disadvantaged or marginalised, providing basic needs and relief or by giving opportunities and hope via education, jobs and research.
“We are reactive to community need, and proactive in identifying new evidence-based programs, and supporting them to establish in Canberra,” Ms Byron said.
“We are willing to take a risk, and support innovation; we seek to collaborate and use our voice as well as our funds and we are in it for the long term.
“We continue our strong focus in Canberra with a growing commitment to more rural areas as well as a few key strategic national projects.
“This year’s grants bring the total donations made by the Foundation since its inception to in excess of $9 million given to more than 200 community groups and individuals.”
Ms Byron said the 2014 grants saw the Foundation maintain its commitment to 28 existing strong programs, across the key focus areas of health, social welfare, and education/employment, as well as extending funding to a further 20 diverse programs.
“For example, we have already given more than $1 million to tackling Motor Neurone Disease, with another $300,000 still to be donated and I am delighted to welcome as a speaker today Dr Nick Cole, Senior Lecturer, and Group Leader, Motor Neurone Disease Research Centre, at the Australian School of Advanced Medicine at Macquarie University.
“We are also proud to be a supporter of the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), who are working with more than 100 Indigenous students around Canberra, matching them with mentors from our universities. They have demonstrated they are making a huge difference in the lives of young Indigenous people to keep them at school and help them have a brighter future.
“We know our funding is well-placed when we see the headway achieved by the initiatives we support, and we are constantly inspired by the tireless efforts to help others,” Ms Byron said.
The Snow Foundation was established by brothers Terry and George Snow in 1991 to provide a helping hand to those who are struggling or disadvantaged in Canberra and the surrounding regions. We focus on three key areas of need: Health, Social Welfare, and Education/Employment where we seek to provide funding that breaks the cycle of poverty, addiction and violence, and to equip individuals to take responsibility for themselves.
Media inquiries: Georgina Byron 0417 227 506