Established in 2018 with an initial $5 million contribution from the ACT Government, the Chief Minister’s Charitable Fund is administered by Hands Across Canberra to provide timely support for priority community needs. The ACT Government continues to make annual contributions, with $xxx provided in 2024-25 to support ongoing operations, future-proofing, and grantmaking activities.
The CMCF is dedicated to building a connected, inclusive, and thriving Canberra. Over the past seven years the fund has supported numerous initiatives to bridge divides, empower those in need and improve living conditions for our most vulnerable community members.
The Chief Minister’s Charitable Fund (CMCF) has:
- Supported 251 projects, directly contributing $3.1 million to the community.
- Leveraged over $8.1 million for Canberra through our network of peer foundations, generous individuals, and local businesses.
- Grown number of grant applications from 69 in year 1 to 175 in year 7 reflecting our engagement with the community sector.
- Contributed to the establishment of the Canberra Foundations Collaborative, an Australia-first collaboration among peer foundations.
- Provided 28 webinars and workshops on topics ranging from grant writing to AI and governance, strengthening community organisations.
- Empowered over 175 organisations to apply for funding
- Incorporated innovation and pilots to drive positive change.
- Developed an impact measurement toolkit with the Canberra Foundations Collaborative to streamline evaluation for grantees.
- Helped Canberrans give where they live through the creation of the Canberra Day Appeal, raising over $5 million for community organisations.
“Since its beginning, the CMCF has worked alongside community to strengthen connections, support those often overlooked, and build the foundations for a fairer Canberra.”
A snapshot of the 2023-24 financial year:
Funds distributed to date from the Chief Minister’s Charitable Fund:
| Year 1 (2018–19) | Year 2 (2019–20) | Year 3 (2020–21) | Year 4 (2021-22) | Year 5 (2022-23) | Year 6 (2023-24) | Year 6 (2024-25) |
| $398,756 | $385,482 | $1,070,118* | $1,515,045 | $677,042 | $535,191 | 600,000 |
* Note: $438,566 in grants from the Autumn Grant Round were approved in June 2021 but paid in July/August
In 2024-25, the CMCF received $416,000 from the ACT Government to enhance its capacity to deliver impactful grantmaking programs for the Canberra community.
In response to the evolving needs of the Canberra region, the CMCF:
- Partnered with supporters and 102 charities to run a successful Canberra Day Appeal, raising over $840,000 for community sector initiatives. Of this, the CMCF contributed $188,743 to the matching pool.
- Administered a collective grant round with Canberra’s community foundations funding 71 projects valued at over $1.9 million. CMCF provided $240,000 in funding for 20 projects, seven of which are multi-year, plus $100,000 in additional funds to ongoing multi-year projects.
- Funding priorities continued to focus on projects that support vulnerable groups such as at-risk youth, First Nations peoples, refugees, and migrants, while also promoting initiatives that enhance employment skills, advance economic justice, and foster community engagement and social inclusion.
In 2023–24, the ACT Government committed $750,000 to the Chief Minister’s Charitable Fund to support the purchase of land for the next Charity House project. The purchase was finalised in 2024–25, and we deeply appreciate the support of the Suburban Land Agency and the ACT Government in making this project possible. The Charity House is a collaborative effort bringing together the MBA ACT, the ACT Government, Hands Across Canberra, and the many generous builders and tradespeople of the ACT.
The CMCF supported a wide range of initiatives through its community-informed grants program in 2024–25, including:
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Refugee and migrant support: Social enterprise driving lessons for refugees and migrants (Allara Creative), basketball programs fostering belonging for young South Sudanese refugees (Eagles Sports Association), and initiatives creating safe pathways for migrant communities.
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Housing and safety: Programs empowering women and children in transitional housing, with a focus on First Nations families (Marymead CatholicCare), and coaching and support for those affected by domestic violence (My Coaching My Future).
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Community connectedness: Free meals through Karma Kitchen (Hindu Council of Australia), community meal and grocery supports through Community Connect Café (The Salvation Army), and new local food banks in Belconnen and Woden (HelpingACT).
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Youth empowerment: Youth employment and training opportunities (Little Luxton), mentoring networks for youth workers (Youth Coalition of the ACT), youth consultation and sports programs (Barnardos), and amplifying young voices in civic life (YMCA Youth Parliament).
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Arts, creativity, and belonging: Initiatives encouraging expression and inclusion through music (Girls Rock! Canberra) and sustainable upcycling into social enterprise models (Stepping Stone).
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Legal access and justice: Advocacy for Aboriginal women and girls’ access to justice (Sisters in Spirit), community engagement on justice reform (Justice Reform Initiative), and disability rights advocacy and awareness (Advocacy for Inclusion).
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Mental health and wellbeing: Lived experience storytelling for apprentices in construction (I Got You Ltd), programs fostering healing and connection through nature (Community Home Australia), and initiatives promoting resilience and recovery (Worldview).
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Data and advocacy: Strengthening collaboration on advocacy and evidence through shared data services (Capital Region Community Services).
In total, $244,050 was distributed across these initiatives in addition to $90,000 in multi-year installments from previous grant rounds. The initiatives supported reflect the CMCF’s commitment to addressing diverse community needs, reducing inequalities, and building a stronger, more inclusive Canberra.
| Advocacy For Inclusion Incorporated | Halt the Hate: Combatting misinformation, disinformation and hate speech about disability | $10,000 |
| Allara Creative | Social enterprise driving school for refugees and migrants | $12,500 |
| Barnardos | Youth Consultation Group and Kids+Sports Programme | $10,000 |
| Capital Region Community Services | Shared Services Project: Data and Advocacy | $12,500 |
| Community Home Australia | Reading in Nature | $5,000 |
| Eagles Sports Association | Canberra Eagles Basketball: Supporting the long-term integration of young South Sudanese refugees | $15,000 |
| Girls Rock! Canberra | Girls Rock! Canberra | $12,300 |
| HelpingACT | Establishment of food banks in Belconnen and Woden town centres | $5,000 |
| Hindu Council of Australia Karma Kitchen | Karma Kitchen Free Meals to needy people | $6,000 |
| I Got You Ltd | Lived Experience Video Series for Building and Construction Apprentices | $7,500 |
| Justice Reform Initiative | JALE in the Community | $15,000 |
| Little Luxton | Little Luxton – Youth Employment Training Program | $10,000 |
| Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn | Empower Women and Children in Transitional Housing with a priority for First Nations Families | $25,000 |
| My Coaching My Future | My Coaching My Future – support for DV clients | $4,000 |
| Sisters in Spirit | Development of Access to Justice Programs for Aboriginal Women and Girls in the ACT | $20,000 |
| Stepping Stone Social Enterprise | Yarn and Re-Thread – upcycling fabrics into cafe merchandise | $10,000 |
| The Salvation Army | Community Connect Café – Community meal, free groceries, and social connection, since 2021. | $6,750 |
| Worldview | Breakthrough and Engage | $20,000 |
| YMCA | Y Youth Legislative Assembly (Youth Parliament) – Giving Canberra Vulnerable Young People a Voice | $25,000 |
| Youth Coalition of the ACT | Youth Worker Practice Network – Mentoring Network | $12,500 |
| $244,050 |
** In addition, the CMCF supported multiyear commitments in the amount of $116,902 (ACT Pet Crisis Support Tiny Vet Clinic, BBF Lessons 4Life, Canberra Kangaroos Football Club – Pathways to Inclusion for New Australians, ACT Lived Experience Speakers Bureau Pilot, Prisoners Aid Participate Project, Rebus Theatre Staff Wellbeing Program, The Men’s Table Across Canberra, YWCA Youth Diversity and Inclusion Project)
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