Corinna Dieters

Future2, the charitable foundation of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), has opened its 2016 Make the Difference! Grants to applications and called on FPA members to identify eligible not-for-profits and charities in their areas whose work for disadvantaged young Australians is deserving of support.

Applications for Future2 grants are now open and close on 1 August. The grants offer vital funds to community not-for-profits and charities working to give a better future to young Australians who are living with disadvantage – such as homelessness, addictions, social exclusion, poverty and disability. They may choose to apply for a one year grant of up to $10,000 or a multi-year grant of up to $30,000.

Corinna Dieters, Chair of the Future2 Grants Committee, said: “We want FPA members to take ownership of the grant application process by identifying local not-for-profits and charities that have a strong track record and high quality programs for young people aged 12-15 years who need a helping hand to turn around their lives. The financial planners will invite the not-for-profit to complete the grant application, support it with a personal statement and submit to Future2”, she said.

The financial planner may be someone who is already involved with the grant applicant through mentoring, a board directorship or in some other voluntary capacity. Community organisations that have no existing relationships are encouraged to get in touch with an FPA member well ahead of the closing date for applications.

Future2 Chair, Matthew Rowe CFP®, restated the Board’s commitment to increasing its corpus to $2 million by 2017 and to increasing grant commitments year on year, drawing on the income from Future2’s investments. The funding for new grants in 2016 will be determined by the Board later this year and will be in addition to the $77,500 already committed to recipients of multi-year grants announced in 2014 and 2015.

The 2016 Future2 Make the Difference! Grants will be announced on 24 November at the Future2 Gala Dinner at the FPA Professionals Congress in Perth.

Between 2007 and 2015, Future2 has made grants totalling $613,000, giving young people who are socially isolated and financially challenged hope for a brighter future.

Find out more about Future2 grants at: www.future2foundation.org.au/grants.

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Corinna Dieters

Future2, the charitable foundation of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), is calling for grant applications as part of its Make the Difference! grant program, which supports projects that create opportunities for disadvantaged young Australians.

Community not-for-profits and charities are invited to apply for funding with the support of a local FPA member. The FPA member may be someone who is already involved with the grant applicant or can be someone who has only recently been introduced to the applicant but believes they deserve funding for the work they do.

Corinna Dieters, Chair of the Future2 Grants Committee said: “We encourage applications for funding across a wide range of programs that help young people reconnect with the community and build productive lives.

“Future2 is proud and excited by the achievements of the programs it has funded. Every life that is turned from disadvantage to opportunity is a success story – thanks to the tireless efforts of community organisations and volunteers who do amazing things with limited money.

“Each year, the number of quality applications for funding increases and the allocation of grants becomes more difficult. Applications received this year indicate the need for funding support is greater than ever. Through a disciplined review process, we try to ensure the grant money goes where it can be most effectively applied for the benefit of young Australians who are at risk.”

With funds raised by financial planning professionals, Future2 seeks to make a lasting difference to the lives of young Australians most in need. The funds committed this year will bring the value of grants awarded to $540,000 since 2007.

Many FPA members are closely involved with local community causes and have identified programs for funding support by Future2. For others, the grant application is the starting point and the financial planners go on to build a relationship with the community organisation, sometimes making a personal contribution through mentoring or volunteering.

The programs supported by Future2 range across the following areas:

• Education, including skills training and leadership development
• Engagement, including mentoring and juvenile justice programs
• Employment, including work experience and job readiness training
• Wellbeing, including remedial programs for drug and alcohol dependence
• Independent living and social inclusion

The young people benefitting from Future2 grants include, for example, those who are outside mainstream education, living with intellectual or physical disability, fighting an addiction, living in dysfunctional families, in juvenile justice, or new migrants seeking a place in their adopted home.

All grants must be submitted by 31 July, with the grants announcement made on 19 November during the FPA Professionals Congress in Brisbane.

Find out more about Future2 grants and make your application at: www.future2foundation.org.au/grants.

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Corinna Dieters

Future2, the charitable foundation of the Financial Planning Association, has increased its grant commitment in 2015 by more than 60% to $110,000 – up from $70,000 in 2014 and called on financial planners to help disburse the funds to community not-for-profits and charities that work with disadvantaged young Australians.

The increased funding, approved by the board of trustees in February, will enable seven new grants to be awarded, as well as continued funding of the four three-year grants committed in 2014.

Applications for Future2 grants may be made from today. Community not-for-profits and charities working to give a better future to young Australians who are living with disadvantage – such as homelessness, addictions, social exclusion, poverty and disability – are invited to apply for funding during a four month window. They may choose to apply for a one year grant of up to $10,000 or funds of up to $30,000 payable over three years.

Each application for funding must have the endorsement of a local Financial Planning Association (FPA) member who believes the project being proposed is deserving of a grant. The financial planner may be someone who is already involved with the grant applicant through mentoring or in some other voluntary capacity.

The initial review is undertaken by FPA regional chapters. Each region will put forward a shortlist for consideration by the Future2 Grants Committee.

Corinna Dieters, Chair of the Grants Committee, said that the FPA regional chapters had played an important role in the grant short-listing process in 2014, based on their strong community roots and local connections.

“With 90 applications last year, the regional review process helped to create a stronger connection between financial planners and Future2. It also built on their knowledge of local needs and the work of grassroots organisations”, she said.

As in previous years, shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide more information and, in a new departure, invited to submit short video clips making their case for grant funding.

A final recommendation for grants will be made to the Future2 board in October. The announcement of 2015 Make the Difference! grants will be on 19 November at the Future2 Gala Dinner at the FPA Professionals Congress in Brisbane.

The closing date for applications is 31 July. Find out more about Future2 grants atwww.future2foundation.org.au/grants.

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Corinna Dieters

Regional Chapters of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) are being called on to help allocate $70,000 worth of grants, based on their strong community roots and local knowledge.

Marking a new decision-making process for the Future2 ‘Make a Difference’ grants, the Regional Chapters will be involved in appointing the final grant recipients and reviewing eligible applications to determine the most deserving applicants in line with Future2’s objectives.

The Chapters’ shortlists will be forwarded to the Future2 Grants Committee. As in previous years, the Future2 board will make the final decision on grants based on the recommendations of the Grants Committee.

Community not-for-profits and charities working to give a better future to young Australians who are living with disadvantage – including homelessness, addictions, social exclusion, poverty and disability – are invited to submit applications during this four month window in an attempt to access a share of the $70,000 grant pool.

Applications may be made between 1 April and 31 July and must have the support of a financial planning professional who is a member of the Financial Planning Association .

Future2 has made further changes this year to the structure and process of the grants. According to Corinna Dieters, Chair of the Future2 Grants Committee the changes are aimed at building longer term relationships with organisations that receive funding; making it quicker to complete applications; and increasing the involvement of financial planners in the review process.

“We recognise the value to not-for-profits and charities in having greater certainty of funding for certain programs and so for the first time we will include grants of up to $30,000 made over a three year period, as well as continuing our practice of making one-year grants of up to $10,000 for one year only. Applicants may select whichever is most appropriate to their needs.

“With seven years of grant-making experience and steadily increasing numbers of applications from all over Australia, we decided to streamline the process with a shorter application for online completion. Shortlisted applications will be invited to follow up with greater detail about the project for which funding is being sought.

“We are very happy to have those regional FPA Chapters who are close to the communities in which they work and live involved in the decision making this year. There is a clear synergy with this grant program and financial planners who are looking to improve the financial situation of clients each and every day.”

2014 Make the Difference! Grants will be announced in Adelaide at the FPA Professionals Congress, 20-21 November.

Since 2007, Future2 has awarded grants of more than $300,000 to community not-for-profits and charities working to give a better life to thousands of young people who, through no fault of their own, are in need and at risk.

Click here to apply online

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Each grant application must have the support of a financial advice professional. Community not-for-profits and charities seeking a Future2 grant must have their application supported by a member of the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) or Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Corinna Dieters, Chair of the Future2 Grants Committee, said she looks forward to many more financial advice professionals identifying projects that are helping disadvantaged young Australians towards more fulfilling lives. 

“Your support may result in a grant that will transform the circumstances of needy young people and put them on the road to happy, productive lives”, she said.

“By nature, financial planners want to help people towards better, more secure lives. As well as giving financial advice, many find enormous personal satisfaction and enrichment from their involvement with those in the community who are most in need,” Ms Dieters added.

Applications may be made until 31 July. Future2 will announce the new grants in October.

Future2 Make the Difference! Grants fund projects aimed at 15-25 year olds who may be financially disadvantaged, homeless, juvenile justice offenders, drug or alcohol dependent, disabled or Indigenous. Funded projects have been in the areas of financial literacy, skills training, work experience, community service and mentoring. Since Future2 was established in 2007, the foundation has granted over $250,000 to 22 organisations across Australia. 

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Charities and not-for-profit organisations may apply for 2012 Make the Difference! Grants; the closing date is 31 July.  All applications must have the support of a financial advice professional who is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) or the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA).

Corinna Dieters, Chair of the Future2 Grants Committee, called on financial advice professionals to support grant applications from local organisations.  “Your support may result in a grant that will transform the circumstances of needy young people and put them on the road to fulfilling and productive lives”, she said.

“Our aim, besides helping these young people, is to encourage the engagement of financial advisers with local not-for-profits.  As professionals in the community, they not only give a helping hand but also derive enormous personal satisfaction and enrichment from their involvement”, Ms Dieters added.

Since Future2 was established in 2007, the foundation has granted over $200,000 to 17 not for profit and charitable organisations across Australia.

Future2 Make the Difference! Grants focus on the under 25s who may be financially disadvantaged, homeless, juvenile justice offenders, drug or alcohol dependent, disabled or Indigenous. Grants are awarded to projects and programs in the areas such as financial literacy, skills training, work experience, community service or mentoring.   Future2 will invite the strongest applicants to submit a full proposal. The trustees’ final decision will be announced in November.
 
Further details are available on the Future2 website, www.future2foundation.org.au or on request to info@future2foundation.org.au

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