Community
Strengthening Victoria’s social capital through evidence-based initiatives that foster connections, develop capacity and strengthen capability
Resilience and prosperity in Victorian communities are hampered by a range of complex challenges.
Victoria’s social cohesion is fracturing, with contributing factors being limited opportunities for leadership development, and insufficient support to develop capacity of community organisations.
In response, Helen Macpherson Smith Trust is working to advance initiatives that build capability, foster meaningful connections, and support long-term community sustainability.
The Trust’s strategic approach centres on two key pillars:
Enhancing the leadership capability and connections of individuals
Through leadership programs, mentoring, coaching and peer learning opportunities, and cross-sector exposure and inclusive participation.
Strengthening the capacity of community organisations
Through targeted capability-building support, cross-organisational collaboration and network building, and enabling pathways for community voice and co-design.
By investing in leadership development, the Trust aims to equip individuals with the skills and networks required to lead effectively within their communities. This includes fostering improved community-led decision making and problem solving; encouraging collaboration and trust; and promoting adaptability in dynamic and changing environments.
Alongside leadership development, the Trust supports community organisations to build their internal capacity and strategic capability. This includes enabling organisations to form and sustain partnerships; attract and retain critical resources; and improve governance and strategic decision making. These initiatives are led by, and responsive to, the communities these organisations serve.
Through these targeted efforts, the Trust seeks to foster a more connected, capable, and resilient Victoria. The impact of this work is measured not only by stronger leadership and organisational outcomes, but also by the broader benefits of increased collaboration, resource sustainability, and community-driven prosperity.
Our Support
We support organisations working to build the connection, capability and capacity of community organisations in Victoria.
We prioritise communities that have identified and are realising their own goals and priorities. We are interested in organisations that are building an evidence-base of what works, and those that are working in collaboration with other organisations. We are interested in providing support in partnership with other funders.
Click on the logos to the right to find out more about organisations recently supported.
The Trust prioritises long-term relationships with organisations working to affect change in Victoria and for Victorians.
9
partnerships established to support community resilience since 2023$6.3m
granted to community projects since 2023
How we grant
To maximise the benefit to applicants and streamline the application process, we engage closely with prospective grantees to ensure strong alignment with our funding priorities and strategic approach. This approach aims to increase the success and impact of each selected applicant. The Trust accepts applications by invitation only and does not receive unsolicited applications.
If your organisation is seeking support and is a Victorian-based charity working in the areas identified as strategic priorities of the Trust, you are welcome to email us to provide brief information about your organisation and proposed project.
Select organisations addressing the priority areas and aligned with the Trust’s approach will be asked to submit a brief expression of interest.
Following the expression of interest, a small number of organisations will be asked to submit a full application.
