GRASSROOTS charities and not-for-profits are encouraging Ballarat to think local in the city's first Giving Tuesday.
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The global movement, popular in the United States and Europe, encourages people to support their community by connecting with neighbours, philanthropy, volunteering and taking the time to learn about homegrown not-for-profit work.
Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute's Sarah Stapleton said the movement was about a city's heart and Ballarat has a great culture of support and help for each other.
Ms Stapleton said Giving Tuesday was also a chance for Ballarat not-for-profits to draw a little more attention to the work they do. For example, a lot of people were keen to support national cancer charities, but might not be aware of the support for cancer patients or cancer research in their own backyard and the broader effects these have for a community.
A dedicated website brings Ballarat's philanthropic partners together.
The Ballarat Foundation chief executive officer Andrew Eales said his foundation was proud to stand alongside partner charities for the city's first Giving Tuesday. Mr Eales said this year had been incredibly tough on charities and the community, but this was a way of letting Ballarat know they were still there to serve and doing important work.
"We encourage people to give as much as they are able to. The real challenge is in asking people to give at the moment but in a united front, we are helping each other," Mr Eales said.
"...This has the potential to expand and make a positive difference in the community. We all have a common goal in helping make Ballarat a better place."
The inaugural Giving Tuesday in Ballarat will focus on five causes:
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute: directly supporting study on the immune system and how it relates and can treat all cancers.
- Ballarat Health Services Foundation: efforts will help buy a new, wheelchair equipped bus to safely take aged care residents on excursions.
- The Ballarat Foundation: accepting donations for its Feed Ballarat Appeal from which grants are distributed to frontline charities.
- 3BA Christmas Appeal: cash donations will allow the appeal to buy toys, food and essentials for Balllarat's needy families via welfare partners Uniting Ballarat, Anglicare, St Vincent de Paul Society and Salvation Army.
- Ballarat International Foto Biennale: supports the not-for-profit arts festival.
Visit givingtuesday.org.au/ballarat for more details and to give on Tuesday, December 1.
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