In July 2024, the Melbourne Anglican Foundation launched its inaugural Youth Grants Round.  

Over an eight-week period, we received countless applications from parishes that are eager to launch and develop innovative youth programs. The response exceeded all of our expectations.  

After a thorough review and meetings with the applicants, we are thrilled to announce that we have approved $104,023 in funding across 16 parishes.  

One of the best things about doing this was the opportunity for the us to meet new parishes and get alongside the amazing work happening to support youth in our Diocese. It has also sparked ongoing conversations, collaborations, and opportunities we hadn’t expected. 

Our Development Manager, Nathan Oliver, went above and beyond, meeting or speaking with every individual who submitted an enquiry. His proactive approach helped us build new relationships across the Diocese, many of which we hadn't connected with before. This is an exciting development that means that our reach and ability to fund parish activities is growing.  

We wish to give a large thanks to Brian Holden, Youth Ministry Consultant at the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, for his invaluable input. Working closely with the Diocese means that we are able to fund and prioritise projects in accordance with its vision.  

Overall, this first Youth Grants Round has highlighted how strategic, focused initiatives can deepen relationships and unlock new potential for our impact across the Diocese. We’re excited to see these youth-driven projects come to life and are looking forward to fostering the connections and collaborations that have begun!