The Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF) is pleased to announce a place-based open grant round to strengthen community networks across the Mt Druitt area of western Sydney.
The grants will support a small number of established networks of three or more organisations that are already driving positive change together for children, families and/or young people. Each network will receive up to $600,000 over three years (up to $200,000 annually), with the aim of increasing their combined impact.
This funding comes at a crucial time for Mt Druitt, a suburb rich in cultural diversity, with 44.5 per cent of residents born outside Australia and home to one of the largest Aboriginal populations in New South Wales. The area also faces significant challenges, including high levels of intergenerational trauma, postcode stigma, and economic disadvantage. This funding initiative will help bolster the current efforts of community networks so their work can continue to develop, providing lasting benefits for residents.
“The Mt Druitt community is proud of its diversity, and has many local leaders working to achieve better outcomes for the people who live there”, said PRF Chief Alliances Officer Liz Yeo.
“With this grant round, we hope to identify and bolster existing networks so that they can scale their impact within their communities”.
Mt Druitt’s unique challenges demand a place-based approach, where investments are tailored specifically to the community’s strengths, aspirations, and needs. This opportunity is not just about money — it's about investing in the relationships, leadership and infrastructure, the ‘glue’, that allows community organisations to work more effectively together.
PRF’s consultations with local community members have revealed that while there is investment going into Mt Druitt, much of it is not held within the community itself. This funding represents an opportunity to shift funding flows into local community-based organisations in Mt Druitt.
“We’ve listened to people in Mt Druitt, who’ve told us what’s needed for the community to imagine and lead its own future is investment that is community-led and embedded in the local context,” said Ms Yeo. “PRF’s funding approach is designed to address this gap by focusing on the networks of organisations that are already making a difference, so they can be even more effective.”
PRF’s place-based methodology ensures that funding is flexible and responsive to the local context. It can be used to support a wide range of initiatives, from shared data systems to community co-design processes, all aimed at building the capacity of local networks to work together in a more cohesive and strategic way.
Importantly, this funding will focus on initiatives that enhance the collective impact of the network. For example, networks might use the funds to develop lived experience leadership or to create linker roles to connect families with services.
Who can apply?
PRF is seeking to support existing networks that consist of at least three organisations already working together for children, young people, families and communities in Mt Druitt. These can include nonprofits, volunteer groups, schools, or local governments. One of the key eligibility criteria is that at least one network member must have a head office in the Mt Druitt postcode (2770). PRF is particularly interested in networks working in the northern suburbs of Mt Druitt (Willmot, Lethbridge Park, Tregear, Blackett, Bidwill, Shalvey, Emerton, Hebersham and Dharuk).
Given the cultural diversity of Mt Druitt’s population, priority will be given to networks that focus on First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) families and communities. For networks supporting these groups, the majority of organisations must be First Nations- or CALD-led.
Key dates
- Expressions of Interest (EOI) open 14 October – 8 November 2024
- An online information session will be held on 21 October 2024
- Finalists will be shortlisted by March 2025
- Funding will commence from FY26
Review the grant guidelines for more information including eligibility criteria, and email 2770@prf.au with any questions.