Scanlon Foundation 2015 Funding Round

The Scanlon Foundation’s annual community grants round will focus on 14 local government areas to fund projects that support the transition of migrants into the local community.

The Foundation said the funding will support projects that consider the experience of migrants and the receiving communities, and aim to nurture positive outcomes and is seeking applications for projects that empower multicultural communities and develop intercultural connections.

Expressions of interest can be made by DGR1 eligible organisations for grants up to $25,000.

The Scanlon Foundation said it is looking to identify projects that meet one or more of the following:

Intercultural and/or interfaith

• The Foundation has an interest in projects that foster greater understanding between different cultures and/or faiths and for receiving communities where the intent is to improve the transition pathways for migrants into Australian society

Collaborative

• The project engages with existing services and programs or other grant-based programs in the local area (or immediate surrounds) to improve outcomes through collaboration.

Future focused

• Participants will gain an increased sense of belonging in the community and will be empowered to participate in the broader community.

• The project focuses on envisaging a positive, empowering future where the participants feel engaged and an active member of their communities.

• The project will see ongoing benefits to support the current and future transition of migrants into the community.

Innovative

• The project explores new ways to engage, empower and connect with new and emerging communities.

• There is opportunity to demonstrate new ways to facilitate successful culturally diverse communities in Australia.

Place-based and person centric

• Engages the local community in consultation and outreach initiatives.

• The project explores the migrant experience with reference to removing the barriers to participation in the local community.

Encourage interaction with the broader community

• Projects identify opportunities for participant outreach, increased language development, understanding of the Australian way of life, skills recognition, employment and interaction and network development with the broader community.

Create a model that can be shared, leveraged or scaled up

• The project can be applied in different cultural communities or locations, scaled up to include a larger cohort of the population or leveraged through supporting programs.

The Foundation said priority will be given for projects that engage young people (particularly high school), disengaged or isolated families, educators, or the role of the arts in fostering intercultural awareness.

The Scanlon Foundation was established by businessman Peter Scanlon in 2001 to enhance and foster social cohesion within Australia. The foundation partners with Monash University and the Australian Multicultural Foundation to produce independent research which culminates in the annual Social Cohesion Index.

Applications for the latest funding round close at 5pm on Friday, 16 October 2015. More information is available on the Scanlon Foundation website.