Hands Across Canberra partners with A + P Leemhuis Builders to grant $100,000 to local projects
Published on 21 April 2023

A collaboration between Hands Across Canberra and Canberra-based business A+P Leemhuis Builders has awarded 24 local projects with a total of $99,911 in grant funding to community organisations that support people who experience economic and social disadvantage.
“Hands Across Canberra is honoured to be a conduit between generous Canberra-based businesses and those residents in need throughout our region,” Hands Across Canberra CEO Peter Gordon said.
“As the community foundation for Canberra, we are very aware of needs throughout our region. While these grants presented will provide some immediate assistance, the need continues to grow and we encourage more businesses to engage and give where they earn.”
The inaugural grant round received a total 40 grant applications.
“The work proposed by the community organisations for these grants is inspiring,” the A + P Leemhuis Builders Director Darrell Leemhuis said.
“We are excited to play a part and see communities build and grow their work. Our hope is that we learn from these community investments and together, in partnership with Hands Across Canberra and the Canberra community, work to support the organisations that are assisting vulnerable community members.”
The projects funded in this grant round are located across the ACT and include activities like support to food pantries, purchase of equipment and fit out activities that support service delivery. The grants could be up to $5,000.
“We are delighted to support organisations respond to the relief and capital needs of Canberra’s communities and do our part in supporting the communities we live and work in to achieve more.” Darrell Leemhuis said.
One of the organisations supported by the grant round is Woden Community Services who work to provide services across all age groups and throughout the community, from early learning to aged care services, supporting mental health and wellbeing, responding to homelessness, assisting those living with a disability, working with families and young people, engaging communities while supporting those who are vulnerable. WCS received $5,000 to fit out The Community Hub with flexible, multi-functional equipment that is able to serve a variety of demographics and purposes including a sensory zone to support neurodiverse people attending the site.
“We are absolutely thrilled to receive this grant. The Community Hub will be used for community based and WCS programs supporting marginalised and socially disadvantaged people. The Community Hub will be easy to access and provide support to the wider Woden community as well as provide ease of access to a range of services nearby,” WCS CEO Jenny Kitchin said.
“It is expected that the new space will become an open community asset to which community groups may also be able to access. It will be an asset to service the whole community and a place for connection and support.”
“It is also great to see Canberra businesses getting involved to support community.”
The full list of grants awarded is below. However, there is still a gap in funding for some of these organisations and further support is encouraged. Please visit www.handsacrosscanberra.org.au to donate.
A collaboration between Hands Across Canberra and Canberra-based business A+P Leemhuis Builders has awarded 24 local projects with a total of $99,911 in grant funding to community organisations that support people who experience economic and social disadvantage.
“Hands Across Canberra is honoured to be a conduit between generous Canberra-based businesses and those residents in need throughout our region,” Hands Across Canberra CEO Peter Gordon said.
“As the community foundation for Canberra, we are very aware of needs throughout our region. While these grants presented will provide some immediate assistance, the need continues to grow and we encourage more businesses to engage and give where they earn.”
The inaugural grant round received a total 40 grant applications.
“The work proposed by the community organisations for these grants is inspiring,” the A + P Leemhuis Builders Director Darrell Leemhuis said.
“We are excited to play a part and see communities build and grow their work. Our hope is that we learn from these community investments and together, in partnership with Hands Across Canberra and the Canberra community, work to support the organisations that are assisting vulnerable community members.”
The projects funded in this grant round are located across the ACT and include activities like support to food pantries, purchase of equipment and fit out activities that support service delivery. The grants could be up to $5,000.
“We are delighted to support organisations respond to the relief and capital needs of Canberra’s communities and do our part in supporting the communities we live and work in to achieve more.” Darrell Leemhuis said.
One of the organisations supported by the grant round is Woden Community Services who work to provide services across all age groups and throughout the community, from early learning to aged care services, supporting mental health and wellbeing, responding to homelessness, assisting those living with a disability, working with families and young people, engaging communities while supporting those who are vulnerable. WCS received $5,000 to fit out The Community Hub with flexible, multi-functional equipment that is able to serve a variety of demographics and purposes including a sensory zone to support neurodiverse people attending the site.
“We are absolutely thrilled to receive this grant. The Community Hub will be used for community based and WCS programs supporting marginalised and socially disadvantaged people. The Community Hub will be easy to access and provide support to the wider Woden community as well as provide ease of access to a range of services nearby,” WCS CEO Jenny Kitchin said.
“It is expected that the new space will become an open community asset to which community groups may also be able to access. It will be an asset to service the whole community and a place for connection and support.”
“It is also great to see Canberra businesses getting involved to support community.”
The full list of grants awarded is below. However, there is still a gap in funding for some of these organisations and further support is encouraged. Please visit www.handsacrosscanberra.org.au to donate.
A collaboration between Hands Across Canberra and Canberra-based business A+P Leemhuis Builders has awarded 24 local projects with a total of $99,911 in grant funding to community organisations that support people who experience economic and social disadvantage.
“Hands Across Canberra is honoured to be a conduit between generous Canberra-based businesses and those residents in need throughout our region,” Hands Across Canberra CEO Peter Gordon said.
“As the community foundation for Canberra, we are very aware of needs throughout our region. While these grants presented will provide some immediate assistance, the need continues to grow and we encourage more businesses to engage and give where they earn.”
The inaugural grant round received a total 40 grant applications.
“The work proposed by the community organisations for these grants is inspiring,” the A + P Leemhuis Builders Director Darrell Leemhuis said.
“We are excited to play a part and see communities build and grow their work. Our hope is that we learn from these community investments and together, in partnership with Hands Across Canberra and the Canberra community, work to support the organisations that are assisting vulnerable community members.”
The projects funded in this grant round are located across the ACT and include activities like support to food pantries, purchase of equipment and fit out activities that support service delivery. The grants could be up to $5,000.
“We are delighted to support organisations respond to the relief and capital needs of Canberra’s communities and do our part in supporting the communities we live and work in to achieve more.” Darrell Leemhuis said.
One of the organisations supported by the grant round is Woden Community Services who work to provide services across all age groups and throughout the community, from early learning to aged care services, supporting mental health and wellbeing, responding to homelessness, assisting those living with a disability, working with families and young people, engaging communities while supporting those who are vulnerable. WCS received $5,000 to fit out The Community Hub with flexible, multi-functional equipment that is able to serve a variety of demographics and purposes including a sensory zone to support neurodiverse people attending the site.
“We are absolutely thrilled to receive this grant. The Community Hub will be used for community based and WCS programs supporting marginalised and socially disadvantaged people. The Community Hub will be easy to access and provide support to the wider Woden community as well as provide ease of access to a range of services nearby,” WCS CEO Jenny Kitchin said.
“It is expected that the new space will become an open community asset to which community groups may also be able to access. It will be an asset to service the whole community and a place for connection and support.”
“It is also great to see Canberra businesses getting involved to support community.”
The full list of grants awarded is attached. However, there is still a gap in funding for some of these organisations and further support is encouraged. Please visit www.handsacrosscanberra.org.au to donate.
Organisation Name | Project Name | Â Total amount requested |
Anglicare NSW South, NSW West & ACT | Extra Food for Arawang Emergency Relief Hub | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5,000 |
Anglicare NSW South, NSW West & ACT | Extra food and household items for Gordon Community Centre Emergency Relief Hub | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5,000 |
Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation & Advocacy | The CAHMA Cafe | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5,000 |
Canberra Community Law | Connectivity for Marginalised Communities | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1,026 |
GIVIT Listed Ltd | Provision of essential relief items for people experiencing domestic and family violence, and migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4,700 |
Good Omen Goodeze Ltd | Ensuring GOG’s Insurance | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2,104 |
Good360 Australia | Good360 Bridges the Digital Divide for financially vulnerable students of the ACT | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5,000 |
Helping Hands ACT | Food Donation Forum 2023 | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5,000 |
Hepatitis ACT | Hepatitis ACT Food pantry | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5,000 |
Holy Cross Tuckerbox | Holy Cross Tuckerbox: delivering food relief with dignity. | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5,000 |
Kidsafe ACT | Low-Birth-Weight and Low Cost Capsules | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4,000 |
Missionworx | Missionworx goes Mobile | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4,000 |
Music for Canberra Incorporated | Musical instruments for MAP Program | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2,500 |
NationsHeart Christian Community | Two Door Freezer for NationsHeart Food Hut | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5,000 |
Ozharvest | Canberra Food Rescue | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5,000 |
Perinatal Wellbeing Centre | Furnishing Increased Demand | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2,251 |
Prisoners Aid (ACT) | Storage for Prisoners | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 3,000 |
Project Independence | Project Independence Phillip – white goods for House 1 | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5,000 |
Roundabout Canberra | The Safe Sleep Project | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5,000 |
St John’s Care | Staff and volunteer trauma informed training opportunities | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5,000 |
St Paul’s Ginninderra Anglican Church | Food Pantry and Community Space Equipment Purchase | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4,831 |
WaterAbilities Disability Services Limited | WaterWombats – equipment upgrade | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1,500 |
Woden Community Service | WCS Community Hub | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5,000 |
YWCA Canberra | Lanyon Food Hub – providing essential food to the community | Â $Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5,000 |
Total | Â $Â Â Â Â Â 99,911 |
About the partnership
Hands Across Canberra is an independent philanthropic community foundation, working with more than 300 local community organisations. For more information visit www.handsacrosscanberra.org.au
A+P Leemhuis Builders is a Canberra-based, multi-award winning construction company who will project manage your commercial project from concept to completion. Specialising in tilt up concrete panel, office retail and warehouse, refurbishments and shop and office fit outs.
Media contact:
Peter Gordon, CEO HAC – 0428 432 621