STAND Like Stone Foundation has awarded $100,626 to 16 community projects across the Limestone Coast through its 2026 grant round, supporting local health and wellbeing initiatives, education, food relief, arts and culture and community spaces.<\/p>\n
These grants are made possible through the Stand Like Stone community foundation model, with donations invested for the long term and the earnings returned to the community each year.<\/p>\n
Since inception, Stand Like Stone has invested around $3 million back into the Limestone Coast, ensuring community generosity continues to create lasting impact.<\/p>\n
Stand Like Stone Foundation CEO Jason Wallace said the community grants round reflects both the diversity and the resilience of the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cCommunity foundations exist to turn local generosity into long-term community benefit,\u201d Mr Wallace said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery donation to Stand Like Stone is invested, and the returns are distributed back into the Limestone Coast through grants like these \u2013 it\u2019s a model that builds stability, trust and impact over time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Supporting local priorities across the Limestone Coast<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s grants support a wide range of community-led projects, including food relief for families facing cost-of-living pressures, education and youth programs, cancer support services, community wellbeing initiatives and creative and cultural opportunities that help bring communities together.<\/p>\n
Educational and inclusion outcomes are strengthened through projects at Millicent North Primary School, Gordon Education Centre and Naracoorte High School, while vital health and wellbeing support is delivered by organisations including Mount Gambier Cancer Support Group, Four Reasons Why, Foodbank SA and Millicent Community Church\u2019s Limestone Coast Women\u2019s Shelter project.<\/p>\n
Arts, culture and shared community spaces continue to play an important role in regional life, with funding supporting initiatives from Naracoorte Regional Art Gallery, Penola Players, Open Space Contemporary Arts, Mount Gambier City Band and the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival.<\/p>\n
Stand Like Stone Foundation delivers annual community grants and scholarship rounds and manages a range of sub\u2013funds, enabling donors to support the causes and communities they care about most.<\/p>\n
2026 Community Grants \u2013 Projects Funded<\/p>\n
Health, Wellbeing and Essential Support<\/p>\n
\u2022 Mount Gambier Cancer Support Group \u2013 Supporting local people to access cancer treatment and care – $5,500<\/p>\n
\u2022 Foodbank SA (Mount Gambier) \u2013 Equipment upgrades to strengthen food relief for families facing cost-of-living pressures -$4,350<\/p>\n
\u2022 Millicent Community Church \u2013 Limestone Coast Women\u2019s Shelter project supporting women experiencing crisis – $10,000<\/p>\n
\u2022 The Tatiara Men\u2019s Shed (Bordertown) \u2013 Construction of a shelter supporting men\u2019s health, connection and wellbeing – $10,000<\/p>\n
\u2022 Four Reasons Why \u2013 Christmas Family Voucher Packs for Limestone Coast families experiencing financial hardship – $5,500<\/p>\n
Education, Youth and Learning<\/p>\n
\u2022 Millicent North Primary School \u2013 Patch to Plate hands-on learning program connecting students to food, sustainability and wellbeing – $4,996<\/p>\n
\u2022 Gordon Education Centre (Mount Gambier) \u2013 Adaptive bikes to remove barriers to student participation and engagement – $5,000<\/p>\n
\u2022 Naracoorte High School \u2013 Community English as a Second Language program promoting inclusion, access and learning opportunities – $10,000<\/p>\n
Arts, Culture and Creative Life<\/p>\n
\u2022 Naracoorte Regional Art Gallery \u2013 Window insulation protecting artworks and improving building sustainability – $5,980<\/p>\n
\u2022 Penola Players \u2013 Rymill Hall lighting upgrade to support community theatre participation and local creative expression – $5,000<\/p>\n
\u2022 Open Space Contemporary Arts (OSCA) \u2013 Kingston Weaving community arts and cultural connection project – $10,000<\/p>\n
\u2022 Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival \u2013 Art storage and event infrastructure upgrades supporting regional creativity – $5,000<\/p>\n
\u2022 Mount Gambier City Band \u2013 Air-conditioning for the main hall to protect instruments and improve comfort for performers and audiences – $7,000<\/p>\n
Community Spaces and Local Connection<\/p>\n
\u2022 Penola Hospital Volunteer Gardening Group \u2013 Irrigation for the Pinchunga Lawn pop-up and car park garden beds – $6,800<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kingston SE Small Steps \u2013 Sustainability Expo connecting community, wellbeing and environmental action – $3,500<\/p>\n
\u2022 Allendale East Public Hall Committee \u2013 Painting project helping \u201ckeep the heart of the community bright\u201d – $2,000<\/p>\n
Total Community Grants awarded in 2026: $100,626<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
STAND Like Stone Foundation has awarded $100,626 to 16 community projects across the Limestone Coast through its 2026 grant round, supporting local health and wellbeing initiatives, education, food relief, arts and culture and community spaces. These grants are made possible through the Stand Like Stone community foundation model, with donations invested for the long term […]<\/p>\n