In 2024, the Give Where You Live Foundation celebrates its 70th birthday.
The organisation, first known as Geelong & District Community Chest, was inaugurated at a public meeting on 27 April 1954.
Over the past 70 years, although the Foundation has evolved over time and undergone three name changes, what remains true is its commitment to the Geelong community.
In our 70th year, we will be reflecting on and celebrating the Give Where You Live Foundation’s 70 years of Impact in the community, as well as focusing on the Foundation’s future work.
“The Foundation’s 70th anniversary provides an opportunity for us to celebrate our contribution to the Geelong region and also highlight how we are working to create greater fairness and equity in our community,” said Give Where You Live Foundation CEO, Bill Mithen.
Our 70th logo
In celebration of our 70th anniversary, in 2024 we have introduced a special commemorative logo to mark this milestone for the Foundation. The 70th logo will be featured across a range of the Foundation’s communication materials throughout the year.
1954-2024: A brief look back over the years
The beginning
The organisation we now know as the Give Where You Live Foundation was initially formed in 1954 as the Geelong and District Community Chest.
On 13 March 1954 an advert was placed in the Geelong Advertiser calling for a public meeting to consider the formation of a Community Chest. On 27 April 1954, 200 people attended the public meeting where the organisation was inaugurated.
Approximately one half of the families in Geelong gave something to the first appeal in 1954. More than 100 businesses and professional firms co-operated in helping some 6,500 employees contribute over £6000 through payroll deduction.
In its first year, Geelong and District Community Chest provided 18 community organisations with funds totalling £26,150.
The Geelong and District Community Chest continued to grow steadily throughout the 1960’s with average annual campaign increases of 3.7%.
From Community Chest to United Way
July 1979 saw the formation of United Way Australia. Between 1979 and 1983 the Geelong and District Community Chest and United Way Australia’s relationship grew. In 1983, The Geelong and District Community Chest officially changed its name to United Way Geelong Incorporated. This change signified a major milestone in the history of the organisation.
The community
The community has always been central to everything the Foundation does.
Over the years, the Foundation has relied on funding to enable our impact activities, primarily from the generosity of the wider Geelong community. The Foundation brings people, resources and ideas together to support Geelong’s most vulnerable and we do this with the generous assistance of individuals, businesses and other organisations such as government, trusts and foundations.
Strong corporate support has always been the backbone of the organisation. The initial corporate support in 1954 came from the Ford Motor Company, Shell Refinery and International Harvester.
Loaned Executives, introduced in 1966, have also been a critical support in driving the Workplace Giving Program.
Give Where You Live Foundation is born
In 2010 the decision to amicably disaffiliate from United Way Australia was made and the Board made the brave decision to become our own entity. The Give Where You Live Foundation was born. Since then, the Give Where You Live Foundation has gone from strength to strength. The Foundation has continued to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of our community. The Foundation’s Strategy 2030 outlines the organisation’s plan for the future of the Foundation and underpins all of the work we undertake.
To support the work of the Foundation you can make a donation online.