Members of the Give Where You Live Foundation last night voted to change the Foundation’s Rules of Incorporation to enshrine an ongoing financial commitment to Geelong’s Traditional Owners, The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
Bill Mithen, CEO of the Give Where You Live Foundation said the vote held at the 2022 Annual General Meeting was an important decision for the Foundation and strongly aligns with our purpose of building a fairer G21 community.
“The Give Where You Live Foundation is incredibly proud that on the recommendation of Management and The Board, our members voted to change the Foundation’s rules and enshrine an ongoing financial commitment of 1% of our total revenue each year, to the Traditional Owners.”
“While this commitment in no way truly represents the value we all gain from the care and custodianship of the land the Wadawurrung have undertaken for millennia, it will be an enduring commitment towards achieving reconciliation and creating a fairer G21 community,” Mr Mithen said.
At the Annual General Meeting the Foundation presented its 2021-2022 Impact Report and financial statements.
The 2021-2022 financial year saw the Give Where Foundation invest almost $2.8 million into the Geelong community, including $1.6 million in grants alone.
In reflecting on the past year, Bill Mithen said the Foundation had again provided critical support through its annual grants program as well as continuing to create long term positive change in the community through its own change initiatives.
“We’re proud that the Foundation has been able to provide almost $2.8 million of investment in social programs in the G21 region as we continue to transition how we work to create a fairer and more inclusive community for all. We know that to create positive social change within our community we need to think and work differently. This year we have undertaken a wide range of new activities including beginning to establish our new Social Lab as well as develop a new Partnership Impact Fund.”
“Our annual grants program continues to be a core part of our work and this year we provided more than $1.6 million of funding to 43 community partners,” Mr Mithen added.
At the Annual General Meeting the Foundation acknowledged and thanked Board Member, Murray Boyd, who is finishing his tenure on the Give Where You Live Foundation Board in December 2022. Murray has served on the Foundation board since August 2010. During his time, he served as Chairperson from 2013 to 2019 and became a Life Member in 2020.
