Jemena’s Community Grants Providing a Brighter Future

Hot showers, laundry services and crisis accommodation for vulnerable community members are just some of the initiatives Jemena’s community grants program will support across its electricity and gas distribution areas this year.

Now in its seventh year, Jemena’s Community Grants Program has provided over $870,000 in funding to 85 community groups since its inception in 2018.

In 2025, Jemena invited applications for initiatives that address disadvantage from not-for-profit organisations, schools, and charities delivering projects across Jemena’s electricity and gas distribution networks in New South Wales and Victoria. Together the networks provide vital energy services to over 1.8 million customers.

Craig Ypinazar, Jemena’s Executive General Manager, People, Safety and Governance said that this year 16 organisations will share in over $163,000 of funding, reflecting the company’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of the communities in which it operates.

“Local volunteer organisations are at the heart of their communities. We can see from the type of applications we received that cost of living is still a major concern for many in our community. These grants can go some way towards assisting those who really need it,” Mr Ypinazar said.

“This year we have provided assistance to a range of different services including food programs, multicultural outreach programs, and an animal rescue that supports disadvantaged pet owners – particularly pet owners who are escaping domestic and family violence.”

The Community Grants make up just one part of Jemena’s broader Corporate Giving Program that seeks to make a positive impact in the communities that Jemena operates in.

Since its inception in 2019, Jemena’s Corporate Giving Program has seen over $4.3 million invested through donations, sponsorship, community grants and our flagship partnerships including the Foundation 2 Future, Voices for Power, and Uniting Energy Assist programs.

In 2024, Jemena was ranked number 8 in the list of Australia’s Top 40 Workplaces to Give Back for our Community Program.

The full list of recipients, locations and projects is below:

City Community Care Inc ($10,000)

Sydney CBD

City Community Care runs the Early Bird Café, a 100% volunteer-run charity which provides daily hot breakfasts and takeaway meals to people experiencing homelessness and hunger in Sydney. Our grant will assist with the rising costs of running the café.

Baptist Care ($10,000)

Dubbo

BaptistCare runs the Hope Street Dubbo Neighbourhood Outreach Program. Our grant will provide direct support to over 500 disadvantaged individuals—particularly First Nations women and children living in Dubbo’s Apollo Estate. The grant will fund a new coffee machine, grinder, and food services as part of the program’s outreach trailer.

Bathurst Uniting support Services ($10,000)

Bathurst 

Bathurst Uniting Support Services runs Frypan Warriors cooking classes as well as a Weekend Café meal service, which together provide food relief and cooking education to vulnerable community members.

Community Activities Lake Macquarie Inc (CALM Inc) ($10,000)

Morisset and Bonnell’s Bay 

CALM Inc runs the Morisset HUB and has launched a weekly support session at Bonnell’s Bay. Our grant will provide access to essential services, educational workshops, and hygiene facilities for disadvantaged community members.

Cana Communities Inc. ($10,000)

Redfern 

Cana Communities Inc provides crisis accommodation and community lunches at St Francis House in Redfern. Our grants will provide shelter, meals and support to over 1,040 people annually.

SecondBite/FareShare ($10,000)

Bathurst 

SecondBite and FareShare seek to deliver food to those in the community who are experiencing food insecurity while at the same time reducing food waste. Our grant will deliver three food shipments to Bathurst each containing 1,000 ready-to-eat meals and a pallet of rescued food.

Maitland Family Support Inc ($10,000)

Woodberry

Maitland Family Support Inc. runs the “Food Is Life” (FIL) program, which provides fresh food, pantry staples, and essential supplies to families in Woodberry - one of the most disadvantaged suburbs in the Maitland LGA. Our grant will support an estimated 3,422 individuals over 22 weeks.

St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn Limited ($10,000)

Harden, Boorowa and Young

Vinnies provides essentials through its ‘Food Pantry’ Program. Our grants will provide essential groceries, hygiene items and household necessities to individuals and families experiencing disadvantage in the Canberra/Goulburn area.

Our Village Network Inc ($10,000)

North-west Melbourne, Sale, Longford, East Sale

Our Village Network Inc runs the Services for Women Experiencing Domestic Violence program. Our grant will support expansion of the program which provides essential items like cots, prams, and clothing to approximately 500 children.

Second Chance Animal Rescue ($10,000)

North-West Melbourne

Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR) is expanding its Safe House and Outreach Program to support disadvantaged pet owners, especially those escaping domestic and family violence. Our grant will help SCAR provide emergency boarding for 800 animals, assist over 1,500 people in crisis, and distribute 250,000 pet meals.

Multicultural Resources Hub Incorporated ($10,000)

Sunbury 

Multicultural Resources Hub sought funding to pilot a community-based outreach and support program for over 150 multicultural and vulnerable seniors in Sunbury. Our grant will improve access to aged care and welfare services, reduce isolation, and build confidence through information sessions, welfare checks, and one-on-one support.

Lifeline Western Melbourne ($10,000)

Footscray

Lifeline provides vital support and referrals for individuals in mental health distress. Our grant will help recruit and train three new volunteer crisis supporters to answer an estimated 825 additional crisis calls annually.

Lively ($8,975)

Brimbank and Darebin Council areas

Lively helps older residents from Chinese and Vietnamese migrant communities in Melbourne with digital literacy and social connection. Our grant will help Lively to expand its intergenerational tech help programs, supporting 300 older residents.

Reading out of Poverty Inc ($10,000)

Reading Out of Poverty Inc. provides books to children to nurture a love and habit of reading every day. Our grant will support a literacy initiative for 3,500 disadvantaged migrant families in Melbourne’s north-west. The project will distribute bilingual baby books and literacy kits to twelve mothers’ groups.

Kensington Neighbourhood House ($10,000)

Kensington

Kensington Neighbourhood House runs Help Hub, a place-based service offering tailored support to vulnerable residents. Our grant will help residents navigate housing, health, disability, and family violence systems.

NSW Wheelchair Rugby League ($1,500)

Greater Sydney, Wollongong, Riverina, Newcastle, and Central NSW

NSW Wheelchair Rugby League (NSWWRL) is committed to growing an inclusive game, providing opportunities for all abilities to compete, connect and be part of the Rugby League community. Our grant will help provide team uniforms for mixed-ability players across regional NSW.

Media Contact: Jemma Townson 0438 534 111