The Funding Network hosted a pop-up crowdfunding session at the Change Leadership Summit by Humanity In Business in Sydney on June 9. In this special pilot version of the TFN format, three outstanding grassroots charities – The Malpa Project, Fighting Chance and Raise Foundation pitched for five minutes only.
See photos from the event.
Don Palmer, CEO, The Malpa Project
Good health strengthens communities. The Malpa Project works to realise this in Aboriginal communities by working with young Aboriginal people to create local ‘health ambassadors.’ With an emphasis on extending Indigenous leadership within the organisation, CEO Don Palmer is pitching to The Funding Network to provide a paid internship for an inspiring young Indigenous woman, Kiarra Smalle, who is completing an Indigenous Health degree at the University of Wollongong.
CEO Don Palmer has advocated for Aboriginal rights since the early days of the Land Rights movement. He produced some of the first television programs bringing light to this issue in his time as a journalist. Don has worked as a consultant to a major Federal Government Indigenous men’s health project, has worked for the NSW Department of Health and is a keynote speaker on Aboriginal health in a wide variety of forums. As a documentary filmmaker, Don is the winner of a United Nations Media Peace Prize. He is known in Central Australia as Tjungurrayi and Wotama in recognition of his strong connection with Aboriginal people.
Funds raised: $2,700
Kim Huckerby, BUMP Program Director, Raise Foundation
Pregnancy and childbirth is one of the greatest joys in life for many. At the same time, it can be a great challenge. As part of its community-based mentoring for vulnerable young people, Raise Foundation has developed the BUMP mentoring program for young pregnant and parenting girls aged 13 to 23. Raise is pitching to The Funding Network for mentee TAFE accreditation costs for this program.
Kim Huckerby is the director of the BUMP Program. She has spent the last 12 years working with young people, parents and schools in the community, and now runs her own consulting business providing independent consulting services to local councils, schools and charities. Kim has coordinated a Youth Service providing psycho-educational programs to high schools on youth issues such as alcohol and drugs, safe partying, cyber bullying and sexual health. Kim studied Social Work at the University of Sydney and completed a Graduate Diploma in Counselling at the Australian College of Applied Psychology. As well as managing the BUMP Program, Kim delivers its services in Sydney and is part of the Raise Foundation’s mentor training team and school workshop delivery team.
Funds raised: $3,250
Laura O'Reilly, CEO, Fighting Chance
Few learning and work opportunities exist for people with significant disabilities. Young people with disabilities are less likely to complete Year 12 or become employed at all. Fighting Chance CEO Laura O’Reilly is pitching to The Funding Network for a work experience program that will enable students with disabilities to be part of a supportive 10-week business placement to build their confidence and learn new and useful skills among peers.
Fighting Chance was conceived in the unlikely setting of an overnight bus ride through the French Alps. Siblings Laura and Jordan O’Reilly were discussing their desire for a better future for their brother Shane, who had cerebral palsy. They wished for him to be able to participate in his community and to be independent. This vision has informed Laura’s leadership of Fighting Chance. A graduate of the University of Cambridge, Laura is a great advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and regularly speaks on the issue. She is a member of the NSW Disability Council and in 2009 was joint recipient of the Young Carer of the Year Award. In 2014, Laura won the Women’s Weekly Women of the Future Award in recognition of her innovation and leadership of Fighting Chance.
Funds raised: $3,502