https://www.wacfnetwork.com.au/stories daily 0.75 2026-06-30 https://www.wacfnetwork.com.au/stories/she-hoops-indigenous-leadership monthly 0.5 2026-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/1e520ffb-2101-49a2-9044-dd4b79d3791b/she+hoops.png Stories - Leadership On and Off the Court Sport has the power to do much more than develop athletic skills. It can build confidence, strengthen connections and create opportunities for young people to discover their potential. With support from the Bibbulmun Fund, local young Aboriginal girls have been able to participate in the She Hoops Indigenous Leadership Program - an initiative that combines basketball, leadership development and cultural connection in a supportive and empowering environment. The program provides participants with opportunities to develop practical leadership skills, build self-confidence and form positive relationships with peers and mentors. Through a combination of sport, teamwork and personal development activities, participants are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and recognise the strengths they bring to their communities. Importantly, the program creates a space where young women can connect with culture, celebrate identity and develop a strong sense of belonging while building skills that will benefit them both on and off the court. By supporting programs like She Hoops, the Bibbulmun Fund is helping invest in the next generation of community leaders and ensuring young people have access to opportunities that inspire growth, resilience and aspiration. This project highlights how community-led philanthropy can create meaningful opportunities for young people, helping them develop the confidence and leadership skills to shape their own futures. Photo courtesy of the Bibbulmun Fund https://www.wacfnetwork.com.au/stories/supporting-young-people-to-thrive monthly 0.5 2026-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/b6c45667-89d5-41fc-8dda-23df268ca063/peel+choyces.png Stories - Supporting Young People to Thrive Young people today face a range of challenges that can impact their confidence, wellbeing and sense of connection. When support is available early and delivered in the right way, it can make a lasting difference to a young person's future. Through support from the Peel Community Foundation, the CHOYCES Wellbeing Program is helping young people aged 14 to 19 build resilience, develop practical life skills and strengthen their sense of wellbeing. The program uses a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach that focuses on recognising and building on the capabilities, interests and potential of each participant. Rather than focusing on problems, the program encourages young people to identify their strengths, develop positive coping strategies and build confidence in their ability to navigate life's challenges. Importantly, the program provides a safe and supportive environment where young people can develop meaningful connections, improve their wellbeing and access guidance when they need it most. By investing in initiatives like CHOYCES, the Peel Community Foundation is helping create opportunities for young people to thrive, strengthening not only individual wellbeing but also the long-term health and resilience of the broader community. This project highlights the value of early intervention and demonstrates how community philanthropy can help ensure young people have access to the support, skills and connections they need to build positive futures. Photo courtesy of the Peel Community Foundation https://www.wacfnetwork.com.au/stories/building-wa-disaster-resilience monthly 0.5 2026-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/84f58bd1-e473-4464-91ca-bc6069500444/freo+warrf.png Stories - Building Resilience Across Western Australia When communities face disasters, recovery often extends far beyond the initial emergency response. Long after media attention fades, local organisations continue supporting people, rebuilding connections and helping communities move forward. Recognising this need, Fremantle Foundation established the Western Australian Relief and Recovery Fund (WARRF) in 2020. What began as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic evolved into a state-wide mechanism for supporting communities affected by crises including the Wooroloo bushfires and the Fitzroy River floods. Since its establishment, the fund has raised more than $1.1 million and distributed support to community organisations across metropolitan, regional and remote Western Australia. Grants have supported initiatives addressing housing insecurity, community wellbeing, employment, education, disaster recovery and Aboriginal community development. What makes the model distinctive is its focus on community-led decision-making. Rather than directing funding from a distance, Fremantle Foundation works closely with local leaders, community organisations and philanthropic partners to understand local priorities and identify where support can create the greatest impact. This approach reflects the unique role community foundations can play during times of crisis. With deep community relationships, established fundraising capability and flexible grantmaking infrastructure, they are able to mobilise resources quickly while ensuring support remains connected to local needs. The WA Relief and Recovery Fund demonstrates the power of philanthropy when communities, donors and local organisations work together. Beyond responding to disasters, it is helping build stronger, more resilient communities that are better prepared for future challenges. Read also: Community-Led Recovery in Fitzroy Crossing and the role of the Bibbulmun Fund in supporting Indigenous-led recovery efforts. Photo: Cason Ho courtesy of Fremantle Foundation https://www.wacfnetwork.com.au/stories/community-led-recovery-in-fitzroy-crossing monthly 0.5 2026-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/f25a3a4c-81f9-4278-b74a-22fdf3c9ff4a/bibbulmun+fund+fitzroy+flood.png Stories - Community-Led Recovery in Fitzroy Crossing When record flooding devastated communities along the Fitzroy River in early 2023, the damage extended far beyond roads, buildings and infrastructure. Entire communities were cut off, families were displaced, and many Aboriginal organisations faced the enormous challenge of supporting recovery while dealing with the impacts themselves. In the aftermath of the disaster, the Bibbulmun Fund worked alongside Fremantle Foundation and the Paul Ramsay Foundation to help ensure recovery efforts were guided by the people who knew their communities best. Rather than imposing solutions from afar, the partnership adopted a community-led approach. Local leaders, Elders and organisations were consulted directly to identify priorities, understand emerging needs and determine where funding could have the greatest impact. This process recognised a simple but powerful principle: communities are best placed to shape their own recovery. Funding supported a range of Aboriginal-led organisations delivering practical assistance, employment pathways, community wellbeing initiatives, cultural reconnection and recovery activities throughout the Fitzroy River region. By backing local organisations already embedded within their communities, the support strengthened existing networks and helped build resilience for the future. For the Bibbulmun Fund, the initiative reflected a longstanding commitment to Indigenous leadership, self-determination and community empowerment. The recovery effort demonstrated how philanthropy can achieve greater impact when it listens first, builds trust and follows the leadership of local communities. While recovery continues, the project provides an important example of how community-led approaches can create more meaningful and lasting outcomes following disasters. Read also: How the WA Relief & Recovery Fund is strengthening disaster recovery across Western Australia. Photo courtesy of Bibbulmun Fund https://www.wacfnetwork.com.au/stories/albany-housing-project monthly 0.5 2026-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/d5334da0-17c7-481a-9388-532cfb36c883/albany_pilot_program_announcement.jpg Stories - From Empty Units to New Beginnings When Albany's housing crisis was at its peak, a local community member approached the Albany Community Foundation with a simple idea: could a number of unused accommodation units be brought back into service to help families experiencing housing insecurity? What followed was a powerful example of community collaboration in action. Working alongside housing providers, support services, local government, businesses, tradespeople, volunteers and donors, the Foundation helped coordinate a project to refurbish five unused units and transform them into safe, short-term accommodation for people in need. The journey was far from simple. Lease arrangements, support services, funding, approvals and refurbishment works all needed to be brought together. But by focusing on a shared goal, partners across the community found a way forward. Completed in late 2024, the five units are now managed by Advance Housing, with residents supported by Anglicare WA through wraparound services designed to help people move towards longer-term housing stability. The project was made possible through the generosity of local trades, suppliers, volunteers, businesses, community organisations and government partners, who contributed significant in-kind support and funding to bring the vision to life. While no single project can solve the housing crisis, the Albany Community Foundation Housing Project demonstrates what is possible when a community comes together to address a local challenge. More than refurbished buildings, these units represent safety, stability and new opportunities for individuals and families navigating difficult circumstances. It is a reminder that lasting change often begins with a simple idea and a community willing to work together to make it happen. Photo courtesy of The Albany Advertiser https://www.wacfnetwork.com.au/stories/backing-youth-wellbeing-in-denmark monthly 0.5 2026-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/b6c72f20-a60b-41d5-ad5a-43ce184e001e/denmark+photo.jpg Stories - Backing Youth Wellbeing in Denmark In Denmark, supporting youth wellbeing - and reducing social isolation - has been a clear priority since the release of the Denmark Community Foundation’s Social Isolation Report. Thanks to local philanthropic efforts, Denmark Community Foundation (DCF) has been able to fund practical, on-the-ground support - including free mental health services delivered by Youth Focus Great Southern. These services provide accessible counselling, group programs, and family support for young people aged 12–25, including those who are disengaged from school or outside traditional systems. Importantly, the support is local, free, and easy to access - removing barriers and ensuring young people can get help when they need it. This is the power of a community foundation: turning local generosity into targeted action that helps young people thrive and strengthens connection across the community. https://www.wacfnetwork.com.au/stories/new-pathways-through-pulse monthly 0.5 2026-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/91ed69ff-3134-44dd-8be3-5ab73f4b11ca/peelcfstoryPULSE.jpg Stories - A New Pathway for Students Who Need It Most For some young people, mainstream education can feel like a poor fit. Without the right support, students can become disengaged from school and leave without the skills, confidence or opportunities they need to succeed. At Pinjarra Senior High School, the PULSE Program is helping change that. Supported by a grant from the Peel Community Foundation, PULSE (Personalised, Unique, Leaders in Supported Education) provides an alternative learning pathway for students who benefit from a more practical and personalised approach to education. The program combines hands-on learning with nationally recognised qualifications, workplace experience and personal development opportunities. Students have gained certifications in areas such as First Aid and Workplace Health and Safety, while also building practical skills and confidence that can support future employment and training pathways. Importantly, PULSE is about more than qualifications. Students are encouraged to contribute to their community, taking part in projects such as designing NAIDOC Week shirts, mentoring younger students and raising funds for local organisations including the Pinjarra Women's Centre. The impact is already being felt. Participants report increased confidence, stronger engagement with learning and a renewed belief in their own abilities. By investing in innovative local solutions like PULSE, the Peel Community Foundation is helping ensure more young people have access to opportunities that meet them where they are and support them to reach their potential. This project demonstrates how community philanthropy can create meaningful change by backing local initiatives that help young people build skills, confidence and a sense of belonging. Photo courtesy of the Peel Community Foundation https://www.wacfnetwork.com.au/stories/saving-a-community-lifeline monthly 0.5 2026-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/e870e65a-66f0-4a4b-b0b9-b1fabec8717c/albanyhubphoto.webp Stories - Saving a Lifeline: The Great Southern Community Hub For many people facing hardship in the Great Southern, the Pivot Support Services Community Hub is often the first place they turn for help. Providing practical support, connections to services and a welcoming place for people experiencing difficult circumstances, the Hub has become an important part of the region's social support network. When the future of the Hub came under threat, the potential consequences for vulnerable individuals and families across the Great Southern were significant. Recognising the importance of the service, the Albany Community Foundation worked alongside Pivot Support Services to help secure its future. Over a two-year period, the Foundation assisted in developing a compelling case for support and leveraged its relationships across Western Australia and beyond to raise awareness of the opportunity among philanthropic organisations and partners. Through this collaborative effort, funding was secured from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, providing the certainty needed to continue and strengthen the Community Hub's operations. The outcome ensured that hundreds of people across the region could continue accessing vital support and assistance during times of need. While community foundations are often associated with grantmaking, this project highlights another important role they play: bringing people together, advocating for community priorities and connecting local initiatives with broader networks of support. By working collaboratively and championing solutions to local challenges, the Albany Community Foundation helped protect an essential community service and ensure its impact continues for years to come. This story demonstrates the power of civic leadership and the role community foundations can play in helping communities respond to challenges, seize opportunities and strengthen the services that matter most. Photo courtesy of the Albany Community Foundation https://www.wacfnetwork.com.au/stories/building-connections-through-auslan monthly 0.5 2026-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/3a4ebc5f-87c5-4e8d-8dd8-0c425dbc68fe/esperance+auslan+story.png Stories - Building Connections Through Auslan Sometimes the most powerful community projects begin with a simple opportunity to learn. With support from the Esperance Ag Fund, the Esperance Auslan Community delivered a series of Auslan classes over four weekends, bringing together more than 25 local participants eager to develop new skills and better connect with others in their community. The classes provided an introduction to Auslan - the primary language used by many Australians who are deaf or hard of hearing - while also creating opportunities for participants to gain a deeper understanding of communication, accessibility and inclusion. Beyond learning a new language, the sessions helped foster stronger community connections and increased awareness of the experiences of people living with hearing impairments. Participants came away with practical communication skills and a greater appreciation of the importance of creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome and understood. By supporting grassroots initiatives like this, the Esperance Ag Fund is helping strengthen community connections and create opportunities for people to learn from one another. This project demonstrates how relatively small investments can have a lasting impact, building knowledge, understanding and inclusion across an entire community. Photo courtesy of the Esperance Ag Fund https://www.wacfnetwork.com.au/home daily 1.0 2026-07-02 https://www.wacfnetwork.com.au/the-network daily 0.75 2026-07-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/c95f374f-7fa7-4eea-b41b-ca52f6f369b3/acflogo.webp https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/07ada88a-1228-48ce-9475-4facbedc0012/denmark+cf3.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/d1d91715-491c-4616-885b-761c2ac9465e/peelcflogo.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/7c14c855-dbf6-476b-9fed-983a42429c1b/fremantlefoundation.webp https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/6e36a50d-b866-46ea-8dba-3680110cc962/Aarnja+logo.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/d718f578-8a60-4966-8f14-c65a5d8535a4/bibbulmun+fund+logo.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/772a65ea-271f-4c3b-93c0-d1debb694070/kalamunda+logo.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/9bf00f89-9c1d-4a7f-bc66-2e68d5f133be/mt+burdett.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/8004d876-d1e2-4a7a-a7e2-64d523ca57e5/goodfundfreo+logo.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/f695e911-b7c5-4b9a-9469-56cb15dd0553/noongar_logo_transparent.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/26ac82ea-4133-4777-844c-c4b3cc212c3d/esperance+logo.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/a72f0ce2-8e6c-4b0d-9788-6b0fccb96b88/ravensthorpe_converted.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/c12590ab-06c2-434d-82b7-a72c9410c081/toodyay.png https://www.wacfnetwork.com.au/contact daily 0.75 2026-04-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/1773755472284-D9CXOXWHL5UIKLY8KBC3/unsplash-image-TdpSX7XAcKo.jpg https://www.wacfnetwork.com.au/about daily 0.75 2026-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69b8b3855f1593707c465cf0/1773730698909-T0WVUG9HYFH6H24MZRE1/unsplash-image-1qfy-jDc_jo.jpg