How to apply for a foundation grant

If you’re part of a not-for-profit organisation engaged in developmental projects for young people in Tasmania, then we’d love to hear from you. The Foundation grants between $1,000 and $10,000 each year to eligible youth-focused organisations. All you need is a current Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status and gross annual income of $2 million or less to be eligible.

How to apply for a foundation partnership

For 2024 the MyState Foundation is excited to announce two new community partnerships, the MyState Foundation Education Partnership and the MyState Foundation Social Connection Partnership. Each partnership offers up to $100,000 over two years to eligible youth-focused organisations.


Purpose, mission & vision

We believe it’s the little ideas, local organisations and small acts that can help make a big difference in people’s lives and help build a richer Tasmanian community.

When your life’s still under construction, the right tools can really help you build a bright future. That’s why the MyState Foundation has been proudly supporting programs and organisations that help young Tasmanians reach their full potential for more than 20 years.

Our volunteering program

The MyState Foundation volunteering program provides the MyState team with dedicated time out of the workplace to give back to the local communities in which we operate. We offer our team members at least one day of volunteering leave per year. So far our team has contributed volunteering hours to support our Foundation grant recipients including Tassie Mums, Beacon Foundation, Dress for Success and Colony 47, as well as organisations outside of our grant program.

If your Tasmanian not-for-profit organisation needs support through volunteering, please get in touch with us by emailing volunteering@mystate.com.au.

We support local initiatives that are good for the community and the economy.

We live in a vibrant state, where dedicated, talented people in the community achieve great things every day. We’re privileged to support and encourage them through our many community projects and initiatives.

Our Board

The MyState Community Foundation Limited (Foundation) Board comprises five non-executive Directors. In accordance with the company Constitution, three Board members are Directors MyState Bank Limited (MSB), including the Managing Director and CEO. Two Board members, selected from the community based on their business experience, are appointed by MSB and must not be Directors or employees of MSB.

Our current Board Members are:

Robert Gordon. Chairman

In addition to his role as Chairman of the MyState Foundation, Bob is also a Director of MyState Limited, a position which he has held since November 2006. Bob is the current President of the Institute of Foresters of Australia (IFA) and President of Football Federation Tasmania as well as being involved with a number of other charitable causes in Tasmania. He has been a company director for 17 years, including six years as Chairman of antecedent Credit Union, Connect Financial.


Magdalena Lane. Director

Magdalena is an Advancement Manager at the University of Tasmania, where she manages cultural philanthropy and is in her final year of a Masters in Writing at Deakin University. She has managed the development of cultural projects including Tasmania’s first cultural policy for State Government and for local cultural organisation, Detached. Magdalena is a previous board member of the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation, Contemporary Art Tasmania and the Festival of Voices.


Stephen Davy. Director

Stephen was appointed as a non-executive Director of MyState Community Foundation Limited in May 2022 having been appointed as a non-executive Director of MyState Limited and its subsidiaries MyState Bank Limited and TPT Wealth Limited in July 2021. He was formerly Chief Executive Officer and Director of Hydro Tasmania, a position he held from 2013 to 2020. Prior to that role he held senior executive roles at Hydro Tasmania, Eraring Energy, Societe General and Bankers Trust and started his banking career at Macquarie Bank. Stephen is also a Director at Sonic Civil Investments and at Volunteering Tasmania.

Brett Morgan. Director

Brett Morgan is the Managing Director and CEO of MyState Limited. Brett is an experienced banking and fintech executive, having spent more than 6 years with successful Australian fintech, InLoop and more than 15 years in executive and senior roles with ING in Australia and India. Brett says MyState is proud to continue supporting the Tasmanian community through these grants, especially those focussed on youth health and wellbeing.


Audrey Mills. Director

Audrey is a director and principal of Hobart law firm Dobson Mitchell Allport and practices primarily in insurance, workplace relations and dispute resolution. Audrey is a past board member/director of TGIO Ltd, Australian National Railways Commission, Australian Women Lawyers Inc, Anglicare Tasmania Inc, Medical Board of Tasmania, and the Tasmanian Law Society Council. She currently chairs the Law Society's Employment and Equal Opportunity Committee and she is actively involved with a number of not-for-profit organisations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a MyState Foundation partnership?

For the 2024 grant round, the MyState Foundation is excited to announce two new community partnerships: the MyState Foundation Education Partnership and the MyState Foundation Social Connection Partnership.

MyState Foundation partnerships provide up to $100,000 over 2 years to youth-focused programs focused on either education or social connection.

Can I apply for a different funding amount for each year of the partnership?

Yes you can, as long as the total amount of funding requested does not exceed $100,000 over the 2 years. For example, you could apply for $40,000 in the first year and $60,000 in the second year.

What’s the difference between a MyState Foundation partnership and MyState Foundation grant?

MyState Foundation grants are offered over a maximum period of one year to deliver a program or initiative supporting youth. Funding for grants is from $1,000 up to $10,000 per year. Only not-for-profit organisations with a gross annual income of $2 million or less can apply for a grant.

MyState Foundation Partnerships are offered over a maximum period of two years to deliver an initiative supporting youth in a focus area of either education or social connection. Funding for partnerships is up to $100,000 over the 2 years.

How will recipients be selected for partnerships or grants?

Once applications have closed on the 3rd of May 2024, successful grant and partnership applicants will be determined by the MyState Foundation Board based on the eligibility criteria and alignment with the Foundation’s purpose.

Those shortlisted for a partnership may be required to complete a short presentation to the MyState Foundation team and Board prior to the Board assessment to further demonstrate the impact of the program and answer any questions.

Can organisations apply for both a Foundation grant and a partnership?

Yes - eligible organisations can apply for both a grant and a partnership in the 2024 round. Two separate applications will need to be completed addressing the eligibility criteria.

Please keep in mind that only not-for-profits with a gross annual income of $2 million or less will be eligible to apply for a Foundation grant in the 2024 grant round.

When will I be notified that I have been successful/unsuccessful for a 2024 grant or partnership?

All applicants will be informed of the outcome in late June 2024 and funding for successful grants and partnerships will be distributed by early July.