Dear Friends and Colleagues,
In our last newsletter for the year, we're pleased to share some impact from a few partners and introduce a couple of new significant partnerships:
- Scholarships: We've grown our
scholarships to support 76 school and tertiary students, helping them focus on their education without financial stress.
Now, we’re taking a bold step with the announcement of a more comprehensive scholarship offering, launching Snow Scholarships in partnership with the University of Canberra. This transformative, 10-year program will deliver 160 scholarships valued at $20 million, providing unprecedented support for students from underrepresented groups in Canberra and regional NSW.
The program offers holistic support, fosters a sense of community and opens higher education pathways for those who need it most. We are excited to witness the ripple effect of their contributions!
- Greate Beds: In partnership with Benjamin Knight, Nicholas Marchesi, and a First Nations advisory group, this innovative initiative addresses the need for durable, affordable, and culturally appropriate bedding in remote Australian communities.
Building on this commitment to empowering First Nations communities, one of our Snow Entrepreneurs, Georgia Weir is leading positive change in mental and physical health through her inspiring program, Deadly Runners. We’re thrilled to celebrate her recognition as a Westpac Social Change Fellow—read more about Georgia below.
The recent Canberra Foundations Collaborative (Hands Across Canberra, John James Foundation, and Snow Foundation) brought the community together to share insights and resources, including the new Outcomes Measurement Toolkit—a practical guide for organisations to measure impact. Download it below, along with the 2025 grant round dates.
This spirit of collaboration continued at She Gives, where I joined a generous group of leading women at an inspiring event at Government House hosted by the Governor General. We are pleased to contribute funding to enable the campaign to flourish and celebrate the remarkable contributions of women as it now moves into its second phase, focusing on research and highlighting the stories of women's giving to strengthen Australia’s culture of philanthropy.
Thank you all for the incredible work you do. I wish you a joyful holiday season and hope you get some time to recharge for 2025, I know I'm really looking forward to a break with my family.
Best wishes,
Snow Foundation Canberra and Sydney teams coming together in Bowral to celebrate 2024!
Left from front to back: Scarlett Gaffey, Alex Lagelee-Kean, Corinne Payne, Ashley Machuca, Lucy McKee. Right from front to back: Carolyn Ludovici, Georgina Byron, Megan Parsons, Bhanvi Anand, Sally Grimsley-Ballard
Snow Scholarships at University of Canberra
Snow Scholarships - one of the most supportive and generous scholarship programs in Australia - will create opportunities for up to 16 students annually who may face barriers to higher education and live in Canberra and regional/rural NSW. The scholars will each receive financial support up to $30,000 per year for the duration of their degree.
Scholars will benefit from an inclusive cohort, reflecting a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, genders, identities, ages, and academics. They will be selected by their leadership potential, commitment to social purpose and academic achievements.
Snow Scholarships include: on-campus accommodation, financial support for living expenses and the cost of travelling home, holistic leadership development, First Nations experience and education, access to tutoring, academic and placement support. Plus, access to free medical, wellbeing and financial services. A dedicated scholar space – Snow Scholar House – will provide a unique study space where the students can connect and learn.
Stephen Byron Snow Foundation Director, Mushtaha Ahmed, Georgina Byron CEO Snow Foundation, Prof. Maree Meredith Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership, Scarlett Gaffey Snow Foundation Director, Lisa Paul Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Parker (now Previous Vice-Chancellor).
Left: Making beds with community Palm Island, Right: Tamika, Palm Island on a finished bed
Empowering communities with Greate Beds
Greate Beds tackles the challenge of providing practical, affordable, light-weight and culturally appropriate bedding in remote communities. Founders Nic Marchesi and Ben Knight and a First Nations advisory group are working with Elders and Traditional Owners to co-design traditional mattresses to reduce costs, improve suitability for local conditions, and address issues like deterioration, transport expenses, and environmental waste.
Greate Beds offer a sustainable solution:
- Stackable, flat-pack bedframes made from lightweight plastic crates—easy to transport and assemble
- Washable foam mattress toppers tailored for hot and humid climates
- Modular components that can be replaced or cleaned with ease
During this trial period, prototypes have been delivered to Kalgoorlie, Mt Isa, Tennant Creek, and Palm Island for ongoing assessments. Palm Island has already requested 100 beds after successful trials. There is active engagement with youth and women to refine designs and build products.
“…each conversation, each assembly, each community visit teaches us something new. Whether it's connecting ideas for young people on Palm Island to make beds for the Christmas Cup carnival, or women at Ninga Mia offering crucial feedback on design, we're learning that the best solutions emerge when we slow down, listen, and let communities lead.” Ben Knight
Canberra Foundations Collaborative Gathering & Outcomes Measurement Toolkit
Together with the John James Foundation, Hands Across Canberra and the Aspen Medical Australia Foundation, the Canberra Foundations Collaborative is empowering organisations to make a meaningful difference across the region.
Canberra’s for-purpose sector caught up at the end-of-year gathering to share stories, strengthen relationships, and celebrate their collective impact - also looking ahead to the 2025 grant round:
Key Dates:
4 Feb – Grant Round Launch
11 Feb – Information Session
4 Feb – 4 March – Expressions of Interest open
26 March – 17 April – Full Applications invited
In addition, the Outcomes Measurement Toolkit was launched — a practical resource designed to help organisations measure and showcase their impact.
She Gives Campaign
We celebrated a momentous day for She Gives at Government House, hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, alongside inspiring women from diverse sectors and community organisations.
We’re proud to be a Founding Supporting Partner of She Gives, championing the often-overlooked impact of women’s philanthropy. Together, we aim to amplify its visibility and strengthen the collective power of women’s giving across Australia.
Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC said “Caring for each other is deeply entrenched in our national identity – Australians reach out with generosity when times are tough and needs are great. Australian women philanthropists make an enormous impact that is rarely recognised in the public domain."
Snow Entrepreneur - Deadly Runners
Snow Entrepreneur Georgia Weir founded Deadly Runners, a grassroots running club for First Nations people, collaborating with local community leaders and organisations to create positive change in individuals and communities.
- 130 participants to date
- 13 people completed leadership camps
- 4 people employed on a casual or part-time basis by Deadly Runners
- Georgia Weir is a Westpac Social Change Fellow and was a finalist in NAIDOC Person of the Year awards
If you would like to bring Deadly Runners to your community, or donate, contact Georgia here.
