healthy vital signs for communities
The Healthy Vital Signs for Communities flagship project captures all three program areas, Building Capacity, Building Profile and Building Knowledge.
During the project, each participating community foundation will build partnerships with LGA's, local Universities, government bodies and social and environmental planners to respond to a set of community wellbeing indicators via a published annual report. They will also engage with local print media with an aim to forge a partnership for the presentation of their Vital Signs Report.
A number of Community Foundations throughout Australia have either commenced their Vital Signs project, have committed to do so as resources are available or are actively observing the development of Vital Signs with a view to further consider its value in their community.
To date one community Foundation, The Ballarat Foundation (hyperlink to TBF website homepage) has completed its first report.
Commencing in 2009, The Ballarat Foundation released its first report in March 2011 through a four page publication in the local paper, The Ballarat Courier (hyperlink) and a public launch with over 40 local identities present and where Mayor Cr. Craig Fletcher officially accepted the report on behalf of the Council and the City of Ballarat. Read more (hyperlink to the success stories portion of ACP website)
Read the full report (hyperlink to The Vital Signs section of The Ballarat Foundation website)
Presented to Community Foundations at their 2011 National Forum in Kingscliffe, NSW the success of the Ballarat Vital Signs Report has boosted interest and enthusiasm amongst other Community Foundations with an expectation that more will take up this important advocacy role for their own communities in the medium term.
The Vital Signs project was initiated by the Toronto Community Foundation and, due to its success, both focusing grantmaking in priority social and environmental issues and raising the profile of community foundations, has been rolled out across Canada with the support of Community Foundations of Canada. Community Foundations of Canada supporting Australian Community Philanthropy to replicate the project in Australia.
Vital Signs builds the capacity of community foundations in several important ways:
- The project provides opportunities to create partnerships with local academic, research and community organisations which increase the impact of a community foundation;
- The project provides data about the social and environmental needs of a community, leading to more informed and strategic grantmaking; and
- The project builds the community foundations presence within its community as a leading organisation that has its finger on the pulse of its community. This has many flow-on benefits with potential donors, project partners, communities and local government.
- Stand Like Stone Foundation – Mt Gambier
- The Ballarat Foundation
- Geelong Community Foundation
- Community Foundation for Bendigo and central Victoria
- Sydney Community Foundation
- South West Community Foundation
See also: www.vitalsignscanada.ca