Local support programs make an impact ahead of 2025-2026 Budget
Published on 17 June 2025
Frankston City’s local support programs are set to continue and grow in the next financial year following the success of a range of community grant and training programs over the last 12 months.
Dozens of organisations received Council funding this financial year (2024-2025) to help support our most vulnerable, with Council also investing in programs to support the local workforce and increase access to education and recreation.
Twelve community organisations each received up to $20,000 in funding through the 2024-25 Emergency Relief Fund, designed to help relief services ranging from food providers to crisis accommodation agencies, to build capacity and step up service delivery.
Seaford-based agency, Mums Supporting Families in Need received $16,831 in funding towards strengthening their support of material aid to families in crisis.
Strategy and Fundraising Manager Charlotte Davies said: “The emergency relief funding provided by Council allowed us to upgrade our internal systems and fundraising technology, which is a critical step toward the long-term sustainability of our service.”
“It also enabled us to expand our corporate volunteering program over the Christmas period—boosting community engagement and ensuring more local families received the support they needed during a particularly challenging time.
Council also supported the administration of over $40,000 to local charities under the Frankston Charitable Fund, a sub-fund of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation. Seven organisations received grants, which are used to strengthen community support and connection.
Frankston Churches Community Breakfast, ‘Brekky Club’, received $9,000 in funding to continue providing nutritious meals each morning throughout the week to those in need. Pines Community Men’s Shed also received a $7,000 grant to build 20 outdoor furniture pieces for local schools in Frankston North.
Frankston City Councillor Sue Baker said the support programs reflect Council’s commitment to empowering local, grassroots services that support residents facing hardship.
“These organisations are the heart of our community’s response in times of crisis. This funding strengthens their vital work – from governance to collaboration and long-term sustainability – and it’s vital this support continues in the years ahead.”
Council also invested almost $250,000 to help build a more skilled, inclusive, and locally engaged workforce through its Work Ready Program.
The program prioritises people facing employment barriers, including those with disabilities, long-term unemployed, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and this year delivered two traineeships, one apprenticeship, and 38 student/work experience placements.
Council’s Child & Youth Inclusion (CAYI) Grant delivered over $80,000 in one off support for local young residents facing financial barriers to education and recreation. The funds helped 121 students with materials, equipment or course fees for education, and supporting 107 children to participate in a recreational activity.
For the first time, Council also funded a new learn to swim program run by Peninsula Leisure, delivering vital water safety education and awareness to community members who might otherwise be unable to participate due to cost of living challenges. The Can Swim program operates across PARC, Pines and Frankston Beach, with over 1650 children and adults participating in the 2024-2025 year.
Councillor David Asker said Council had a crucial role in ensuring everyone in the community had access to important life skills and development opportunities.
“Initiatives like Work Ready and Learn to Swim are designed to ensure that no one is left behind in developing the skills they need to become active, confident and healthy contributors the Frankston community.”
“With cost of living pressures continuing to bite across our community, our community grants and individual support initiatives are more important than ever. Council has carefully looked through this budget, and by identifying savings and efficiencies, we’ve has been able to create an innovative support package that enables us to step up that support in 2025-2026.”
Following the success of these programs, $1.5 million has been earmarked in an enhanced local support package for the 2025-2026 Budget, which goes before Council on 23 June 2025.
Emergency Relief Fund 2024-2025 Recipients
- Project Fresh Start - $20,000
- Frankston Brekky Club - $20,000
- Sikh Volunteers Australia - $20,000
- Local 2 Community - $20,000
- Salvation Army Carrum Downs - $18,000
- Life-Gate - $17,000
- Mums Supporting Families in Need – $16,831
- Bolton Clarke – $14,000
- Peninsula Christian Care – $11,169
- Theodora House - $10,000
- Operation Larder - $4,000
- St Vincent de Paul - $4,000
Frankston Charitable Fund 2024 Recipients
- Frankston Churches Community Breakfast - $9,000
- Pines Community Men’s Shed - $7,000
- Theodora’s Cheerful Givers - $5,300
- Mi-Life Victoria - $5,235
- Operation Larder - $5,000
- Share the Dignity - $5,000
- The Pyjama Foundation - $4,000