Westfund gives $200,000 boost to regional communities through Community Grants Program
Lithgow, NSW: Westfund Health Insurance is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Community Grants Program, which will see $200,000 reinvested into regional and rural communities across NSW, QLD, and the ACT. The Program, which has funded a wide range of events, programs and projects since its creation in 2018, reaffirms Westfund's long-standing commitment to supporting community health and wellbeing.
This year’s community grants include 27 grants of up to $3,000 each, 9 life-saving defibrillator units, and five $20,000 major grants, awarded to stand-out community organisations. Totalling $200,000, the funding round is Westfund’s biggest yet, at a time when charities and not-for-profits are struggling with costs. For 2025, the 27 grants were evenly distributed, with 13 awarded in NSW, 13 in QLD, and one in the ACT.
Westfund CEO, Mark Genovese, expressed his pride in this year’s grants program, stating, “Westfund is delighted to announce our Community Grants winners for 2025. These grants are our way of giving back by supporting communities that play such a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of our members. We are inspired by the exceptional initiatives brought forward by the organisations we are supporting this year.”
The major $20,000 grants were determined through a unique selection process, which included both public voting and staff voting by the Westfund team.
Recipients of the major grants are:
• Lily House (Woombye, QLD)
• Lifeline Regional Counselling (Bathurst, NSW)
• Nourish Street Inc. (Bray Park, QLD)
• Rainbow Roos (Goonellabah, NSW)
• Need a Feed (Wollongong, NSW)
Head Coach and Founder of Rainbow Roos, Brad Ameridge, was one of many grant recipients excited by the opportunities made possible by the funding.
“We are absolutely overjoyed to have received this grant and deeply grateful to everyone who voted for us,” he said.
“This funding is a huge win for our community, enabling us to expand our programs, grow our coaching team, and support even more families. Lismore has faced so many challenges in recent years, and this grant offers us the tools to continue spreading joy, building resilience, and strengthening our community.”
The Westfund Community Grants Program reflects the fund’s unwavering commitment to strengthening Australian communities. By funding initiatives that address real challenges, the program plays a critical role in fostering health and wellbeing.
Over the coming months, Westfund will showcase the grant recipients and the positive outcomes achieved through their inspiring projects across their social channels.
“Supporting communities is in our DNA,” said Mr Genovese. “We can’t wait to share the stories of local organisations addressing real challenges and helping our communities thrive.”
For more information about the Westfund Community Grants Program, visit the Community Grants page.