Deadline: 8-Oct-21
The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation is seeking applications for its Community Grants Program to support a range of charitable causes especially those related to the health and wellbeing of Western Australian children.
In creating one of the first foundations of its type in Western Australia, Mr Perron always made it clear that his inspiration was his own childhood of hardship and struggle. Enduring the struggles of the depression years on the Western Australian goldfields, the story of Stan Perron is one of a man who quite literally lifted himself from rags to riches through hard work, sheer will, vision and business acumen.
Funding Guidelines
- Western Australia first and foremost: The Foundation generally does not provide funds for causes outside of Western Australia. The health and well-being of the WA community is foremost in donation decisions.
- The health and well-being of children: Stan Perron’s charitable giving was always focused heavily on children and younger people – especially in relation to health, medical research and those younger members of the community living with disability. This extends to the funding of activities that contribute to the education of children and young people, especially the most vulnerable.
- Culturally enriching: The Foundation provides funds for iconic cultural and arts organizations in Western Australia, recognizing the importance these kinds of activities play in the enrichment of their community.
- Business ethics: Stan Perron’s personal values included an uncompromising commitment to ethical behaviour in business. In the words of Mr Perron himself: “I have found that if you are fair and stick to your word, others will want to do business with you.” Accordingly, the Foundation’s giving guidelines include consideration of activities that foster ethical behaviour in the business community including initiatives to promote ethics through education.
- Solutions that focus on the origins of a problem: Much of Stan Perron’s early business success can be attributed to his inventive nature and his willingness to look for ways to use innovative thinking to overcome obstacles and challenges. This is reflected in the Foundation’s preference to fund programs that look to solve the cause of a problem rather than treating the symptoms.
- Awarding organizations and individuals who give something back: One of Stan Perron’s greatest passions was his life-long involvement with the Rotary movement and its ideal of “service above self”. Mr Perron showed his commitment to Rotary by his “hands on” involvement – classically illustrated by his work for many years as a volunteer at his local Club’s Sunday morning “Swap Meet”. It is for this reason that the Foundation will always consider applications for funding that encourage people, especially the young, to engage in community service.
- Big or small: The Foundation encourages applications regardless of the level of funds sought. Stan Perron never equated the size of a gift to its significance, recognizing that a smaller amount can mean as much for a particular person or organization in need as a larger donation for someone else.
- Measurability and accountability matters: All successful applicants will need to show evidence that funds provided are wisely and effectively used.
- Partnership funding: As a rule, especially for major Grants, the Foundation has a preference for applicants prepared to consider funding on a partnership basis. This means that the Foundation is not being relied upon as the sole funder of a project or activity but as a co-contributor. The other sources of funding may come from either private or Government sources.
- Helping those who help themselves: The Foundation will not always fund the full amount requested. This could involve the Foundation taking the role as the “cornerstone” donor that enables a charity to attract other funding support. This extends to a practice of providing funds at the time of the project or program commencing rather than as an upfront payment.
Exclusions
- The Foundation will generally NOT fund organizations related to religious belief or political activity nor programs or activities that are clearly a core responsibility of Government.
- New applicants may not be successful if they are seeking funding for similar causes, activities, health conditions or community services already being addressed by an existing Foundation Grant recipient.
For more information, visit https://www.perronfoundation.org.au/apply-community-grants
