Jemena Community Grants to help deliver meals, practical support and brighter futures

Community meals, fresh food hubs, patient transport, youth mentoring and grief support are among the local initiatives Jemena’s 2026 Community Grants Program will help deliver across New South Wales and Victoria. 

These grants form an important part of Jemena’s commitment to supporting communities where it operates. 

Since the Community Grants Program launched in 2019, Jemena has provided more than $1.01 million in local grants to community organisations delivering practical support for vulnerable people, education, health, sustainability and social inclusion. This year, Jemena is investing almost $154,000 in 16 community organisations across New South Wales and Victoria. 

“The most powerful thing about these grants is what they help local organisations do for people in their communities,” Craig Ypinazar, Jemena’s Executive General Manager, People, Safety and Governance, said. 

“This year’s recipients are helping put food on the table, support young people, improve access to healthcare, reduce isolation and create safer, more connected communities.” 

“Local organisations understand where help is needed most, and we’re pleased to play a small part in helping them deliver practical support on the ground.” 

A full list of recipients and programs is below.

New South Wales recipients 

Flourish Australia 
Surry Hills, Sydney 
$10,000 

• Community meals and a welcoming place for people experiencing mental ill-health, poverty, social isolation, unemployment and housing insecurity.

Survivors R Us Incorporated 
Cardiff, Lake Macquarie 
$10,000 

• A community lunch program providing nutritious meals and wrap-around support for people experiencing domestic and family violence, homelessness, financial hardship and crisis.

Recycle to Revive 
Newcastle 
$9,500 

• Sustainability, recycling and circular economy workshops for multicultural and newly arrived communities.

Chester Hill Neighbourhood Centre 
Chester Hill, Sydney 
$8,500 

• A Fresh Food Hub providing affordable, culturally appropriate fresh food, nutrition education and food-rescue support for vulnerable families.

Doggie Dates 
Central Coast, Newcastle and Hunter region 
$6,000 

• Community dog walk events facilitiating connection, participation and engagement for local communities.

Mercy Works 
Western Sydney and South-West Sydney 
$10,000 

• Mentoring, literacy support and education pathways for refugee and asylum seeker students, adult learners and young people moving into further study.

KIDS Foundation 
Hunter region, including Newcastle and Lake Macquarie 
$10,000 

• Expansion of the SeeMore Safety Education Program, helping young children build hazard awareness, emotional regulation and safer decision-making skills.

Heaps Decent 
Greater Sydney, Riverina, Gosford, Dubbo and Lithgow 
$10,000 

• Music, visual arts and digital media programs for young people experiencing disadvantage, unstable housing or disrupted education.

Coolamon Central School P&C Association 
Coolamon, Riverina 
$10,000 

• A new drinking water fountain and bottle refill station supporting student wellbeing and reducing single-use plastic waste.

Griffith Meals on Wheels Inc 
Griffith, Riverina 
$10,000 

• Hampers of Hope, providing essential long-life food, household necessities and donated goods to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, food insecurity or crisis.   

 Victorian recipients 

West Welcome Wagon 
Melbourne’s western suburbs 
$10,000

• Household items, clothing and material aid to help refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable families establish homes in Melbourne’s west.

Nourish Nation Foundation 
Sale, Gippsland 
$10,000

• The Nourish Circular Careers program, combining food security, hospitality training, employability skills and sustainability outcomes.

Wombat’s Wish 
North-west Melbourne 
$9,999

• Specialist grief support for children and young people following the death of a parent or primary caregiver.

Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria 
Melbourne north-west and regional Victorian catchments 
$10,000

• Patient transport services for people facing barriers to accessing healthcare and essential appointments.

300 Blankets 
Braybrook 
$10,000

• Soul Kitchen, a weekly community food service providing meals, social connection, free haircuts and laundry facilities for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Women’s Service 
Northcote 
$10,000

• Winyah’s Wellbeing Kitchen, an Aboriginal-led food security and wellbeing program for Aboriginal women and families.

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Note for editors: 
Photographs of recipients are available here.

Jemena Media Contact: 1300 331 239