2025 P500 Grant Finalists

2025 P500 Grant Finalists Announced

We’re thrilled to announce the three outstanding organisations shortlisted for this year’s $88,000 P500 grant.

Our Grant Review Panel had the challenging task of assessing a field of exceptional applications — each showcasing the compassion, innovation and commitment that define our region’s not-for-profit sector. A huge congratulations to this year’s finalists for their inspiring contributions to our community.

 

 

Discover more about our 2025 Grant Finalists and the projects your P500 giving is helping make possible.

 

Foundation 61

Foundation 61 supports people overcoming life-controlling addictions through holistic, long-term rehabilitation. Operating Geelong’s only two residential recovery facilities — Restoration House for Men and House of Hope for Women — the organisation helps individuals and families rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.

This year’s grant proposal would fund an Alcohol and Other Drug Lead Worker at the new House of Hope facility in Mount Duneed, ensuring women and their children receive tailored care and recovery support.

 

The Empowerment Challenge

The Empowerment Challenge empowers young mums aged 26 and under through weekly support groups, outreach services and practical help navigating life’s challenges. The program creates safe spaces for connection, confidence and growth.

Their 2025 proposal would establish The Empowerment Challenge HUB — a new five-day-a-week base offering accessible mental health, wellbeing and mentoring support for young mothers across Geelong.

 

Western Chances

Western Chances provides life-changing scholarships, mentoring and career pathway opportunities to talented young people facing financial barriers. Having expanded into Geelong in recent years, they are helping local students realise their potential and pursue meaningful careers.

The P500 grant would help expand the Geelong Chances Program to five additional schools — supporting around 60 students with scholarships, learning resources and mentoring through the Links Program.

 

Pitch & Vote Night

Join us for Pitch & Vote Night on Thursday, 13th November 2025, from 5.30 pm at Geelong West Town Hall.

All P500 donors are invited to attend and vote for this year’s grant recipient.
The winning organisation will receive the $88,000 P500 grant, while each runner-up will receive a $5,000 grant to continue their important community work.

Invitations will arrive in your inbox soon — we look forward to celebrating another inspiring year of collective giving and impact!

 

About P500

P500 is Geelong’s collective giving program, bringing people together to make a lasting difference. Each donor contributes $500, with half going toward the annual grant and half invested in the P500 Sub Fund, which grows every year to ensure perpetual giving.

At 30 June 2024, the P500 Sub Fund was valued at $471,700, contributing more than $18,000 toward this year’s grant.

 

To learn more or become a 2026 P500 donor, visit geelongfoundation.org/p500