Recipients of the Seed Funding Grant program, which supports new or relatively new social enterprise and social innovation projects, include 100 Story Building, Ridge Action Group Inc., Sensorium Theatre, Australian Rites of Passage Institute, Mamre House and Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance Aboriginal Corporation.

The National Innovation Grant program supports established projects with plans for expansion. Recipients include Landcare Australia and Resource Recovery.

Westpac Foundation’s Executive Officer Susan Bannigan says the recipients of this year’s Seed Funding and National Innovation Grants will use their funding to launch or expand their innovative program that are designed to address issues such as social inclusion, long-term unemployment, living with a disability and youth at risk.

“Westpac Foundation is thrilled to be investing in these eight innovative social programs. Whilst these grants will go a long way in supporting these organisations, the non-financial support we offer can also have a big impact on an organisation’s program delivery in the longer term,” says Bannigan.

Since 1999, Westpac Foundation has distributed over $25 million in grants to not-for-profit organisations across Australia.