Backing Young People
Shopfront Arts Co-op
Approved in 2024
$10m
approved
33
grants
$700k
*average VFFF Board grant size
35%
Queensland
47%
New South Wales
18%
National
Backing Young People
Year Three Reflections
$10m was approved in new grants to organisations and individuals working to support young people with innovative opportunities that advance their independence, social purpose and future security. Over $30m of funds have been approved in three years to back young people across four focus areas: Caring for the Environment, Contributing to Society, Decent Work and Exploring Christian Faith and Values.
In May 2021, the VFFF Board endorsed the Backing Young People five-year strategy in response to Directors' feedback to narrow the mission and align grant making to family values and interests across generations. The Board acknowledged VFFF’s legacy as well as the importance of moving with the times and maintaining a strong focus on rural and regional areas and people experiencing disadvantage.
This year VFFF reflected on our learnings at the mid-point in the five-year strategic period. Recognising that VFFF cannot be all things to all people, we sought to understand if the four focus areas identified in 2021 remain aligned to priority areas for young people. This reflection resulted in two changes – broadening the age range of who VFFF considers a young person, and a slight shift to the outcomes sought through the strategy. This will increase VFFF’s impact in the second half of the strategic period.
The definition of young people for the purposes of the strategy expanded from 15 to 24 years to 12 to 30 years. We found that many organisations were working on either end of the age range of 15 to 24 to provide support as young people transition in to and out of this stage of life. A longer runway of support will enhance outcomes across the granting portfolio.
A new outcome added to the Caring for the Environment focus area - "Young People pursue opportunities to participate in the green economy" – acknowledges the macro developments around the growing employment opportunities associated with a “just transition.” This new outcome is differentiated from Decent Work in that funds will be directed to either the supply or demand side of the employment equation, whereas Decent Work solely focuses on the demand side. This opens up a broader set of opportunities to support young people to participate in the green economy beyond those offered in a work-based learning environment.
There are complexities and intersecting factors that influence the needs and priorities of young people living in Australia. Since 2021, there has been an increase in young people reporting mental health issues, climate anxiety, a lack of access to secure employment and concerns in relation to the increased cost of living. These findings reiterate the importance of VFFF’s strategy, as it aims to provide young people with agency (Contributing to Society), increased opportunities to access secure work (Decent Work) and the chance to lead approaches to environmental challenges (Caring for the Environment). The Exploring Christian Faith and Values focus remains important as young people explore their faith in a safe environment that provides a point of connection.
VFFF supports organisations who listen and work alongside young people addressing their priorities.
Backing the Future
Backing the Future catalyses innovative ideas from rural and regional changemakers in NSW and QLD. Purposefully designed as seed funding, these grants provide individuals supporting young people, with the ‘boost’ they need.
In its second year, the Backing the Future program proudly supported 17 social entrepreneurs, each receiving $50,000 to deliver transformative projects. What's exciting about this initiative is the diverse range of ideas it nurtures including engaging youth as stewards of the ocean, training young people in tourism in the Torres Strait, creating inclusive sporting opportunities and enabling people with disabilities or who are neurodiverse to pursue creative endeavours. The variety of projects reflects the unique characteristics of rural and regional communities.
Valuable lessons about leadership and change in rural and regional communities have been learnt. The path to meaningful change is rarely linear and each community presents its complexities and requires a flexible approach to meet the diverse needs of young people. By backing outstanding leaders with innovative ideas, providing them with the resources to try, test, learn and reflect, lasting impact is created.
Backing the Future is a collaborative initiative where applications are reviewed and shortlisted by VFFF's Youth Advisory Group (YAG). The Grants Committee evaluates the YAG’s shortlist, conducts interviews, and selects the final ten grant recipients for each round. The direction of this program has been shaped by the thoughtful leadership and input from both the YAG and the Grants Committee.
VFFF is pleased that Backing the Future is delivered in partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR). By working together, VFFF and FRRR reach more individuals who make a difference in the lives of young people. A larger team provides enhanced support to project leaders and builds their capacity. We expect Backing the Future to play a larger role in supporting rural and regional changemakers in the future.
Partnership Grant
Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, $450,000
VFFF Board approved grant to collaborate on the delivery of Backing the Future
VFFF 2024 Grants Committee
Cohort Three - NSW
$500k
approved
10*
grants
Annabelle Hickson
Young Regional Storytellers
A pilot program to equip young people in regional NSW with the skills and confidence to write for media publications.
Bianca Bellicanta
The Bush & Us
A creative learning program where participants will be given the opportunity to create a project over 12 months to address a community issue in the Bega Valley.
Carmen Stewart
Circular Youth
To support young people to design, plan and implement local projects in the Northern Rivers region that accelerate the adoption of a local circular economy.
Julie Charlton
Youth Accountability Impact Group
Bringing together young people from different parts of regional NSW to define ‘youth accountability’.
Lara Warren
Levelling the Playing Field
The development of an online platform that showcases and sponsors activities in Taree and surrounds, to increase the participation of young people in organised sports by removing financial barriers.
Nathan Weatherall
In His Footsteps
To support young Gumbaynggirr people from Armidale and surrounding communities to participate in multi-media courses where they research and tell stories of historic local Gumbaynggirr leader, King Bobby Malawangi.
Nathaniel Diong
Creative Careers
A school careers program in the Hunter and Illawarra regions teaching entrepreneurial skills and exposing young people to emerging careers through workplace excursions within each region.
Simone Eyles
Studioversity
An in-person pilot program in Merimbula that provides a nurturing and inclusive environment for young people living with a disability to explore and learn about various creative disciplines whilst developing skills for future work.
Simone Roseler
Ocean Voices
A youth-focused environmental program in the Northern Rivers region working to nurture the next generation of ocean stewards and environmental leaders.
*One grant yet to be announced
Cohort Four - QLD
$350k
approved
7*
grants
Dennis Fay
Igniting Torres Strait Youth Entrepreneurship
Conducting workshops in remote Torres Strait communities to ignite entrepreneurial passion, foster skill development, promote environmental stewardship and encourage active societal contribution.
Fraser Nai
Ailan (Island) Guardians
Launching a tourism training program for young people in the Torres Strait that focuses on fostering on-country learning to cultivate tourism professionals committed to cultural preservation.
Justin Ballantyne
The Teacher Wellbeing Academy
Supporting the wellbeing of young teachers in rural schools by providing them with reputable psychological tools and processes to use in teaching.
Rheanca Lincoln
We are not alone
Delivery of conferences in regional Queensland that aim to empower and connect young people living with disabilities, chronic illness or who identify as neurodivergent.
Robyn Cook
Bringing Youth to Regional Events
Development of a business case and content to expand STUFFit Student Film Festival’s Certificate III in Events to other regional events in Queensland, enabling young people to gain experience and qualification in event management.
Shonae Hobson
Research and development of Indigenous botanicals on Southern Kaantju Country
Reviving cultural education of traditional bush medicines amongst young people through botanical fieldwork with Southern Kaantju elders, Indigenous rangers and scientists.
*One grant yet to be announced
VFFF Youth Advisory Group
"It's been a really wonderful experience to learn about grant making and philanthropy as a whole and to learn from my fellow YAG members. They inspire me every day and I learn so much hearing from their different perspectives."
Elise Lane, VFFF Youth Advisory Group member
VFFF’s Youth Advisory Group (YAG) was established in June 2022 so that youth perspectives informed our grant-making decisions. The YAG reviews Backing the Future applications and provides insights to the family led Grants Committee.
In June 2024, the first YAG members reached the end of their two-year tenure, presenting an opportunity to reflect on the YAG's achievements and learnings.
As well as shortlisting 36 Backing the Future grantees the YAG provided input on grant proposals, advised on enhancing accessibility and appeal of the program, shared feedback on various projects and met with the VFFF Board and Grants Committee to shape strategy.
The YAG makes a significant contribution to VFFF’s grant-making process. The “YAG Tick of Approval” is an important consideration for assessing grants organisation-wide.
VFFF gained valuable lessons in facilitating the YAG. Our key insights are:
- Establish Shared Values: Initiating a value-setting exercise fostered a positive group dynamic, helping members align on principles such as kindness and constructive honesty.
- Prioritise Genuine Input: Taking a gradual approach allowed the YAG to build their capacity and ensure meaningful contributions, preparing the group and VFFF for collaboration at a suitable pace.
- Recognise Individuality: Understanding each member's unique identity enriched discussions, leading to representative contributions and celebrating the diversity of youth experiences.
- Create Effective Processes: Implementing a feedback loop and a structured decision-making process encouraged open dialogue, enhancing group dynamics and ensuring that every member felt valued in their contributions.
Thank you to Andrew Taukolo, Charlotte Watson, Elise Lane, Florance McGufficke, Harrison Garlick, James Atkinson and Stephanie Pearson for leading the way. They set an example for future YAG members. We look forward to following their bright futures.
We welcome Gabe Francis, Kieran Lonergan, Samantha Barton and Taje Fowler to the YAG, and thank Charlotte Watson, Elise Lane and Harrison Garlick for continuing in their role.