South West Community Foundation donors and named funds

Leave your mark through a named fund

A named fund with the South West Community Foundation (SWCF) is a powerful way to turn your values into lasting impact.

Whether established by an individual, family, business, community group or organisation, a named fund creates a meaningful legacy that reflects what matters most to you. It provides an opportunity to support the causes, communities and initiatives you care about — creating positive change today and into the future.

Your fund can celebrate a family story, honour a loved one, recognise the achievements of an organisation or create a lasting connection to a place or cause that is important to you.

By partnering with SWCF, your generosity becomes part of a broader movement of community giving. We work with you to understand your vision, connect your giving with community needs and help ensure your contribution creates meaningful outcomes across South West Victoria.

A named fund allows your impact to continue beyond a single moment. It can grow over time, respond to changing community priorities and inspire future generations to continue a tradition of giving.

Establishing your own named fund involves a minimum $10,000 donation, or an initial $3,500 contribution together with a commitment to build the fund to at least $10,000 over a three-year period. SWCF can work with you to create a fund that aligns with your aspirations and the impact you want to achieve.

At SWCF, we believe everyone has the ability to make a difference. A named fund is your opportunity to leave a legacy of generosity, strengthen the community you love and create impact that lasts.

Your name. Your values. Your legacy. A stronger South West for generations to come.

Create a lasting legacy through a Corporate Named Fund

Businesses have an important role to play in strengthening the communities they are part of. A Corporate Named Fund with the South West Community Foundation (SWCF) provides a unique opportunity for organisations to demonstrate their genuine commitment to community philanthropy and create a lasting impact beyond their everyday operations.

Similar to a personal named fund, a corporate fund allows a business to establish a philanthropic legacy that reflects its values, purpose and connection to the community. It can recognise a company’s history, celebrate a milestone, honour a founder or provide a meaningful way to give back to the region where employees, customers and communities live and work.

By partnering with SWCF, businesses can support local initiatives while benefiting from our community knowledge, governance and grant-making experience. We work with businesses to understand their goals and help connect their generosity with opportunities that create meaningful outcomes across South West Victoria.

A Corporate Named Fund creates an ongoing commitment to community investment — one that can inspire employees, strengthen community relationships and demonstrate that business success and community wellbeing go hand in hand.

Corporate Named Funds are established with a minimum $20,000 donation, or an initial $7,000 contribution together with a commitment to build the fund to $20,000 over a three-year period.

Together, we can help businesses turn their values into action and create a legacy of positive impact for generations to come.

Your business. Your values. Your community. Your lasting impact.

Benefits of a named fund:

• A perpetual listing in the Foundation’s Annual Report
• Invitations for you and/or your family to Foundation events
• Opportunity to suggest the type of activity or geographic area you wish your named fund to support
• Regular updates about Foundation activities via our online newsletter
• Acknowledgement on the Foundation’s website

South West Community Foundation Named Memorials

Josie Black Memorial

Josie Black OAM was the driving force behind the establishment of the South West Community Foundation. Her other roles included membership of South West TAFE Board, South West LLEN Board, the Greater Green Triangle Area Consultative Committee, South West Volunteering Initiative, Leadership Great South Coast, Terang and District Health Service, Corangamite Arts and others.

Josie described herself as a farmer and educator but her interests were diverse and passionate. She was actively engaged in a range of local and regional organisations supporting community development across several sectors, including education and training, health, regional tourism, arts and youth development. She was committed to the sustainability of rural communities and fostered partnerships and collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Josie was named Corangamite Shire Citizen of the Year in 1998, was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2000 and in 2007 was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. She leaves a significant and lasting legacy.

Kate Armbruster Memorial

Kate was a young resident of Port Fairy, noted for her boundless energy and active involvement with community causes. She was a strong supporter of environmental issues, youth disadvantage and cultural activity in her church and community.

She died prematurely from leukemia during 2012 and her many friends decided to perpetuate her memory and work by establishing a memorial fund. Establishment of the memorial provided an outlet for the frustration felt by many people in not being able to help Kate during her time of crisis.

Her friends hope this memorial will generate income that will support granting towards community music and the needs of young people in the region.

Louise & Robert Manifold

The Manifold family has been involved in the Western District for several generations.

“We have been living and working our sheep farming property for more than 30 years. Recently we have become more interested in the family tradition of philanthropy and have been looking for ways to give back to the community. We were attracted to the South West Community Foundation because of its local focus. For us it was important that the money we gave stayed within the local geographic area and went to help people who live in south west Victoria.”

– Robert and Louise

Frank Paatsch Memorial

This memorial was established by Helen Paatsch in memory of her late husband, Frank. As a fourth generation Colac resident, Frank had a strong connection to his community and this named memorial fund honours his involvement and input. Through this lasting legacy the good citizenship and generosity Frank exhibited in life will continue to benefit the Colac community for perpetuity.  Helen has previously been directly involved in the Foundation through her roles as a board director and chair of the Colac Sub-fund.  The Foundation thanks Helen for her hard work in her time in these roles and passing on the mantle of Chair of the Colac Sub Fund to Robyn Alexander.

South West Community Foundation Named Benefactors

The Foundation’s Named Benefactors, both individuals and organisations have donated a minimum of $10,000 to the Foundation.

• Robert and Louise Manifold

• Paatsch Family

• Felicity Melican

• Manintveld Family

• Mr John Gall

• Dr. Geoff Handbury AO

• Jigsaw Farms