Plans to secure the Healesville community’s financial future are underway, with a team of dedicated locals working to create a new initiative to support local organisations. – The Healesville Community Foundation.
Designed to attract and distribute funds to support community-based organsiations across the district, the foundation is being structured to qualify as a federally approved, tax-deductible charity by early 2026.
With these tax-deductions creating an incentive for donors who want to see their contributions go directly toward strengthening the Healesville and district community, the foundation will invest significant gifts to grow its capital base.
Other grants and gifts can also flow straight through the Foundation in the year they are received to support local projects.
The founding volunteers of the Foundation include Jan Cochrane-Harry who is the current Chair and Trustee of the Margaret Lawrence Bequest charity and Chair of the Healesville Community Bank Bruce Argyle, among others.
Along with Ms Cochrane-Harry and Mr Argyle, the Foundation will be chaired and serviced by local Healesville volunteers, a team which is yet to be announced.
Community Foundations are typically independent, local non-profit funds that build up charitable donations to disperse among a specific geographic area.
Unlike short term fundraising campaigns, community foundations usually build an enduring fund that grows over time, with investment earnings providing grants well into the future.
“In Australia we have about 40 community foundations which range from small local community foundations to large ones like Lord Mears Charitable Trust,” Mr Argyle said.
“The bushfires in 2009 saw the establishment of some community foundations as a way of rebuilding, strengthening resilience and capacity in communities such as Marysville, King Lake and others, but Healesville somehow missed out.
“The Healesville Community Foundation is about supporting non for profit organisations across the board but it is also shoring up and growing a fund that the Healesville community can fall back on.”
Belonging to the tentatively named ‘Healesville and District Community Foundation Limited’ company, the Healesville Community Foundation will rely heavily on the generosity of the community and will distribute funds to a wide range of areas including but not limited to disability, arts, education, homelessness and ageing.
Chair of the Margaret Lawrence Bequest Jan Cochrane-Harry said, “funding will be granted to community groups or non-for-profits.”
“The Federal Government are in the process of bringing in some new legislation surrounding Public Ancillary Funds that will slash regulation and make it easier for community charities to be set up,” she said.
Ms Cochrane-Harry also noted the role the Healesville Community Fund would play in the case of an emergency or natural disaster.
“When and if disasters hit, whether they’re winds that bring down trees or floods and fires, governments and communities can provide donations to a safe and trusted body, – the Healesville Community Foundation, that would receive those donations and then distribute them accordingly,” Ms Cochrane-Harry said.
“The great thing about community foundations is that they tap into the deep community knowledge and they’re responsive to local issues. They build engagement and a stronger sense of belonging.
“Sometimes you just need a bit of money in the right place to make things happen.”
Local service clubs and organisations are gradually being introduced to the idea of the Foundation and, according to Ms Cochrane-Harry, the response has been supportive.
“Some of the groups that we have consulted have said that the foundation is the most exciting thing that has happened in Healesville and the community bank is very supportive,” Ms Cochrane-Harry said.
While the exact boundaries of the Foundation’s reach are yet to be determined, it is anticipated to include Badger Creek, Chum Creek, Toolangi, Tarrawarra, Gruyere, and Coldstream, in addition to Healesville itself.
The Foundation’s regional approach is intended to ensure that smaller communities surrounding the Healesville township also benefit from the fund’s shared resources and investment.
