MyState Foundation launches community grants for 2025

MyState Foundation, together with Story Dogs has launched the MyState Foundation community grants for 2025.

There are grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 up for grabs this year. In addition, Tassie Mums and JCP Youth will enter into the second year of two-year major Foundation partnerships of up to $50,000 each for youth programs focused on education and social connection.

MyState Foundation is also in its third year of partnership with Home Base (formally Colony 47), helping youth reach their full potential through subsidised rent.

MyState Chief People Officer, Janelle Whittle says the community grants have been supporting organisations that help young Tasmanians reach their full potential since 2001.

“Through the Foundation, we have provided millions of dollars in grants to organisations that are making a genuine difference to young Tasmanians and helping them to reach their full potential.

“Local organisations understand what is needed and have the experience to support young people in need and have the biggest impact,” she said.

Over the past 24 years, the foundation has awarded more than $2.9 million in grants to more than 140 Tasmanian not-for-profit organisations, supporting hundreds of initiatives that enhance opportunities for youth across the state.

Story Dogs has been a recipient of a MyState Foundation grant and Local Coordinator Sarah Jarvis says the grant helped the organisation achieve its goals. “For the past 10 years Story Dog Teams (Dog and Handler) have been visiting schools around Tasmania. Students who find reading challenging are invited to a fun 20-minute reading session where they sit and read to a Story Dog.

“Not all children ‘get’ reading and for some it takes a bit longer. Regular one-one-one reading sessions are often the best way to help a child become a confident lifelong reader. This where Story Dogs comes in, with the loving nature of a dog.

“MyState Foundation funding helped us to recruit, accredit, place and support 8 new Dogs teams into Tasmanian schools to benefit children who are struggling with their reading,” Mrs Jarvis said.

Tasmania now has 20 dog teams with another 3 currently undergoing training.

To apply, you must be an incorporated Tasmanian not-for-profit with Deductible Gift Recipient status and a gross annual income of less than $2 million. Successful applicants will be announced in June. More detail: https://mystate.com.au/about-us/community/mystate-foundation

The MyState Foundation grant applications will close on Friday May 2.