Who Do We Fund?
The Foundation provides grants to a broad range of organisations working with young people aged 11-18 years in Victoria. The grants focus on young people who have experienced some form of disadvantage, such as financial, social, emotional, physical and intellectual. The programs address a range of needs, including education and social inclusion.
It is essential that the funded programs include follow up support. This is critical to the success of any program working effectively with disadvantaged young people. Programs that are conducted with disadvantaged young people for less than 12 months can be counterproductive. Disadvantaged young people who participate in programs for short periods of time can enter the "revolving door" cycle. Vulnerable young people need time to build trust and rapport in order to work through their complex life issues. Short term involvement in programs can build a sense of distrust and a reluctance to participate in future programs for fear of another short lived experience that can contribute to a sense of failure.
It is important that programs funded by the Newsboys Foundation provide a connecting point for young people who would otherwise be marginalised in some way, and give them opportunities to build their life skills and confidence to reach their full potential.
The Newsboys Foundation prioritises projects that are innovative; based on community need; support the active participation of young people; have a positive and lasting impact on the lives of young people; foster new approaches; are sustainable beyond the life of the project; have rigorous evaluation methods to measure their effectiveness; and demonstrate potential for adaptation and replication in other communities.
