Chief executive officer David Perrin said the foundation worked face-to-face with young indigenous boys and girls, working on their literacy and numeracy.

“We take them on camps and do sessions with them and work on their literacy and academics, but also do sports, arts and bring them together as a community,” Mr Perrin said. 

“They don’t often have the same access to education and support as others, and we try to provide that for them.”

The programs look after children from as young as four to those in their teenage years. 

“We’re trying to close the gap and give these kids chances and opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have,” Mr Perrin said.

“It makes an incredible difference to their lives.”

Mr Perrin said the foundation would use the grant to support the teenage indigenous boys program. 

“When boys are in their teens we need to grab their imaginations, otherwise they can turn to other things that will,” Mr Perrin said. 

“We try to give them aspirations and confidence, and keep them busy and active and involved in the community.”

United Way and Ballarat Foundation chief executive officer Geoff Sharp made special mention of the volunteers in the community, as today is National Volunteers Day. 

He said there were many applicants for funding, ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand.