ISPT awards $150,000 in grants to community groups across Australia

ISPT is delighted to share the recipients of this year’s Community Kickstart program which recently ran across 17 retail centres and resulted in over $150,000 in community grants awarded to community groups across the country – the largest amount donated since the program’s inception in 2022.

A staggering 140 applications were received from organisations nationwide, with recipients receiving grants of either $5,000 or $10,000 for their invaluable work across the community.

Some of the recipients included Bella’s Footprints, which raises awareness of the dangers of button batteries for young children; Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a safe haven for native Australian animals; The Hills Men’s Shed which tackles loneliness and mental health by creating a space for men to connect and converse; and SydWest Multicultural Services which provides aged care, disability support and housing assistance to people of all ages and backgrounds.

“We’re incredibly proud of the grants we’re able to offer these valuable community groups. They play a vital role in their communities, and it’s very rewarding for our team to be able to support that through our network of retail centres across the country,” said Sam Curry, ISPT’s Head of Portfolio (Retail).

Congratulations to all 2024 recipients who dedicate their time, money and resources to their local communities and vulnerable groups.

The full list of retail centres and recipients is below:

• Taylors Hill Village: $5,000 awarded to Bella’s Footprints Foundation, which raises awareness of the dangers of button batteries for young children
• Warners Bay Village: $10,000 awarded to Survivors R Us Incorporated, which supports victims of domestic violence and empowers survivors to break the cycle by providing a path they can use to walk away from violence
• Kincumber Village: $10,000 awarded to Kincumber Neighbourhood Centre, which provides services to their community and connects them with other local organisations
• 19th Avenue Shopping Centre: $10,000 awarded to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which has focused on conserving and nurturing native wildlife for over 70 years
• Winmalee Village: $5,000 awarded to Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), Blue Mountains, which provides people with a disability with the opportunity to ride horses and enjoy all the activities associated with it
• Tarneit West Village: $5,000 awarded to Pulse with Purpose Inc., which is a not-for-profit organisation that focuses on feeding migrant families
• Banksia Grove Village: $10,000 awarded to Joondalup family centre, a not-for-profit established in 1992 that offers programs and services to meet the needs of local families, communities and groups
• Kellyville Village: $10,000 awarded to The Hills Mens Shed Inc., a group that provides community spaces for men to connect, converse and create in a fun environment that tackles loneliness and isolation
• Gungahlin Village: $10,000 awarded to Pedal Power Bike Library. For over 40 years the 6,000-strong members have championed the cause of cycling in Canberra
• The Ponds Shopping Centre: $10,000 awarded to SydWest Multicultural Services, a leading organisation for cultural diversity which provides access to key services including disability support, aged care and housing assistance
• Wagga Wagga Marketplace: $10,000 awarded to ErinEarth Garden, which plays a vital role in the Wagga Wagga community through partnerships, open gardens and volunteering, while demonstrating sustainable living through its native garden and accompanying energy efficient house
• Central West Shopping Centre: $10,000 awarded to Community Bike Hub, which saves bikes from landfill while providing bikes to under-resourced communities. A safe and inclusive space where members can learn practical skills, recycle their bike parts and refurbish pre-loved bikes
• Lakelands: $10,000 awarded to PeelConnect Incorporated, which brings together local agencies to address issues of homelessness, mental health and alcohol. Originally helmed by the then-90-year-old Reg Lambert in 2016, who was the group’s original Night Carer – a service which the group still provides – which saw him walk the streets at night to offer rough sleepers a hot drink and a care package
• Richmond Marketplace: $10,000 awarded to Community Defib Project, this group provides the tools to respond to a medical emergency and facilitates education and basic first aid training
• Katoomba Village: $5,000 awarded to Thrive Services, which supports children, families and others living in the Lithgow and Blue Mountains areas, especially during times of change and transition like the arrival of a new baby
• Mill Park Village: $10,000 awarded to Big Group Hug, which focuses on supporting early childhood emotional, mental and physical development
• Showgrounds Village: $10,000 awarded to Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre, which aims to create a connected and empowered community where participants have the opportunity to learn, participate and engage