Program Area

Education

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The Foundation has identified the need to focus our grant making on strategic, whole-of-community approaches to education in order to make real, long term improvements to education and employment outcomes in our communities.

The Foundation has two streams of funding available to support innovative programs and research within the educational space.

(i) Small grants program

Accepting grant requests of $50,000 and under, this stream of funding will prioritise programs that improve the school readiness of children, engage family participation in the school community and provide students with the means to meet their educational potential.

(ii) Large grants program

For requests of $100,000 or above, this funding stream will prioritise programs that take a holistic approach to improving educational, employment and community outcomes. We will also support research that seeks to document and disseminate best practice approaches to improving education outcomes. All grant requests of $100,000 and over will need to apply via the Foundation’s Expression of Interest process.

Please note that the Foundation will not fund grants between $50,001 and $99,999 in the Education program area.

Applications

$50,000 and under

Providing support for individuals and their families

The Foundation is keen to support projects that assist individuals to achieve their education potential.

The objectives for this Program have been developed in recognition of the work being done in our communities to engage and re-engage children, young people - and their families - with education and school communities.

Objectives:

To support early intervention initiatives for children with a view to improving school readiness and/or parental engagement

To support initiatives and organisations working to provide basic material, personal and learning support to students

How To Apply

Complete the Small Grants form for applications requesting up to $20,000.

Complete the General Application Form for requests between $20,000 and $50,000.
Click here to download the Application forms.

Closing dates

Applications for Education grants of $50,000 or less in 2010 must be submitted by 5pm on:

1 June 2010 and
13 September 2010.

Applications

$100,000 and over

‘Whole of life’ approach to education

The Foundation recognises that schools alone are not responsible for ensuring that every child meets their educational potential. The Foundation is keen to support projects that recognise that health and education are two sides of the same coin, acknowledge the importance of a vibrant, inclusive, supportive and strong school community. We will assist projects that build the skills and employment potential of people living in disadvantaged communities.

In line with the core principles of the Foundation, projects that help to document, evaluate and disseminate best practice approaches in education are also an important aspect of our contribution to this area.

Objectives:

To support initiatives within disadvantaged communities that seek to work holistically with families, communities, schools and individuals with the aim of improving educational, employment and community outcomes.

To support research and evaluation that will assist in documenting and disseminating best practice approaches in improving educational outcomes.

How to Apply

The Expression of Interest (EoI) Process has been developed to ensure that a strong partnership approach between the Foundation and applicant organisation is in place prior to award.

Once review of the EoI is complete, the Program Manager may invite the organisation to complete a formal application.

Case Study

Wunan Foundation

$100,000 over two years (2008 - 2009)

Connections Program

The Wunan Foundation’s Connections Program aims to re-engage disconnected young people aged 13–19 with education and provide them with the ability to participate in further education, training and employment. It has been designed with a strong focus on young Aboriginal girls and boys who have no interest in Australian Rules football.

Funding from The Ian Potter Foundation is being used to provide a youth worker to assist young people overcome pastoral and personal barriers to meeting their educational and employment potential.

The Connections Program enjoys excellent partnership support from the Commonwealth Government, the local TAFE, Kununurra High School, Youth Pathways and Kimberley Training Group.

Connections participants worked with some of the Kimberley's most successful Indigenous artists