Geelong collective giving group provides $46,000 grant for food security

Geelong’s passionate collective giving group, Philanthropy 500, has returned in its fourth year to fund another transformative grant for a local community organisation in 2020.

A $46,000 grant has been awarded to Feed Me Bellarine. Since March this year they have provided 104,000 meals to the community using food rescued from the region.

The grant will support the organisation’s growth, extending their program from Ocean Grove and the Surf Coast to Geelong. Feed Me Bellarine CEO Lana Purcell described her organisation’s mission is to get every hospitality and food outlet on the Bellarine Peninsula, Geelong and Surf Coast on a food waste movement. “We can feed our community in need with what was destined for the bin” Lana said.

Philanthropy 500 (P500) is a collective giving group within the Geelong Community Foundation. The group is made up of individuals, couples, families and local businesses who each donate $500 which is combined to create a high-impact gift to the Geelong community. 22 local organisations applied for the program this year with three programs shortlisted. At an online evening event on Thursday 12th November, P500 Donors viewed the three organisations pitches for the funding and then cast their vote for their preferred grant recipient.

P500 is one of a growing number of collective giving circles across Australia working to jointly fund social change. The ability to scale up the impact of each $500 contribution is incredibly powerful.

Gail Rodgers, Chief Executive Officer of the Geelong Community Foundation, “Philanthropy 500 is about engaging donors who are keen to contribute to supporting our community and to experience first-hand the high impact of collective giving. This circle of giving engages younger generations, families and other new donors to understand the importance and benefits of philanthropy.”

To learn more and join Philanthropy 500 in 2021, visit the Geelong Community Foundation Website

INTERVIEW/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
To interview members of the Philanthropy 500 (P500) Committee and the 2020 grant recipient Feed Me Bellarine contact Geelong Community Foundation CEO Gail to arrange.

CONTACT
Gail Rodgers, Chief Executive Officer, Geelong Community Foundation
Tel: 03 5244 7831      Mobile: 0431 059 905       Email: gail@geelongfoundation.org