What We Fund
The John T Reid Charitable Trusts distributes funding within six main categories. Many projects will fall within more than one category of support. We encourage an organisation to present a project in their own words as it best promotes their needs rather than feel the need to fit within a rigid category.
Within these categories, the Trustees will consider supporting creative and innovative programs and projects, research and development and capital works to further the aims of the organisation. Support may be given to an organisation in establishing projects in their early stages, expecting that they will seek and attract wider community and government partnerships for future support.
We consider carefully the most effective way to provide funding within each sector, and strongly encourage collaboration and communication between organisations. In approving grants, we like to balance the funding between rural, regional and urban projects.
Recent support in this sector has been:
- Supporting organisations who are upgrading their facilities in line with accreditation requirements
- Capital works for buildings
- Specialist equipment
The Trustees focus on:
- Projects that enable access to the arts for disadvantaged in rural or remote communities
- Projects supporting indigenous art
- Promoting community education including the preservation and understanding of cultural heritage
The Trustees recognise wide disadvantage in the community, and are often guided by current concerns, such as:
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Accommodation for people with special needs
- Support for those who are homeless
- Response to national emergencies, such as drought and bushfires
The Trustees place importance on the equitable distribution of educational resources, particularly in disadvantaged rural and indigenous communities. The types of projects that have received support are:
- Encouraging school retention by supporting children at risk
- Supporting disadvantaged youths through community projects
- Scholarship programs for higher education (please note that enquiries will not be accepted from individual students)
- Early intervention for children with a disability
Support has been given to environmental projects to ensure a sustainable future. The Trustees encourage community concern for the environment, and at times will be involved in advocacy. Some areas recently supported include:
- Biodiversity
- National initiatives which have encouraged collaboration between many environmental groups
- Local community initiatives
The Trustees understand that funding medical research requires long-term vision and commitment. This may include support for:
- Research in its early stages
- The final stages of research including clinical trials
- Purchase of medical equipment
Applicants should be aware that due to the high dollar value of many grants, the Trustees are able to accept only a small number of submissions in the health facilities and medical research sector for each funding meeting.
Please note that enquiries will not be accepted from individual researchers or physicians. It is requested that enquiries be made via the appropriate development or research office of the university or hospital with which the proposal is associated.
