Community giving delivers more than $100,000 through Stand Like Stone Foundation Community Grants
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 and the earnings returned to the community each year.
Since inception, Stand Like Stone has invested around $3 million back into the Limestone Coast, ensuring community generosity continues to create lasting impact.
Stand Like Stone Foundation CEO Jason Wallace said the community grants round reflects both the diversity and the resilience of the region.
“Community foundations exist to turn local generosity into long term community benefit,” Mr Wallace said.
“Every donation to Stand Like Stone is invested, and the returns are distributed back into the Limestone Coast through grants like these – it’s a model that builds stability, trust and impact over time.”
Supporting local priorities across the Limestone Coast
This year’s 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.
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’s Limestone Coast Women’s Shelter project.
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.
Stand Like Stone Foundation delivers annual community grants and scholarship rounds and manages a range of sub‑funds, enabling donors to support the causes and communities they care about most.
2026 Community Grants – Projects Funded
Health, Wellbeing and Essential Support
- Mount Gambier Cancer Support Group – Supporting local people to access cancer treatment and care - $5,500
- Foodbank SA (Mount Gambier) – Equipment upgrades to strengthen food relief for families facing cost‑of‑living pressures - $4,350
- Millicent Community Church – Limestone Coast Women’s Shelter project supporting women experiencing crisis - $10,000
- The Tatiara Men’s Shed (Bordertown) – Construction of a shelter supporting men’s health, connection and wellbeing - $10,000
- Four Reasons Why – Christmas Family Voucher Packs for Limestone Coast families experiencing financial hardship - $5,500
Education, Youth and Learning
- Millicent North Primary School – Patch to Plate hands on learning program connecting students to food, sustainability and wellbeing - $4,996
- Gordon Education Centre (Mount Gambier) – Adaptive bikes to remove barriers to student participation and engagement - $5,000
- Naracoorte High School – Community English as a Second Language program promoting inclusion, access and learning opportunities - $10,000
Arts, Culture and Creative Life
- Naracoorte Regional Art Gallery – Window insulation protecting artworks and improving building sustainability - $5,980
- Penola Players – Rymill Hall lighting upgrade to support community theatre participation and local creative expression - $5,000
- Open Space Contemporary Arts (OSCA) – Kingston Weaving community arts and cultural connection project - $10,000
- Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival – Art storage and event infrastructure upgrades supporting regional creativity - $5,000
- Mount Gambier City Band – Air conditioning for the main hall to protect instruments and improve comfort for performers and audiences - $7,000
Community Spaces and Local Connection
- Penola Hospital Volunteer Gardening Group – Irrigation for the Pinchunga Lawn pop up and car park garden beds - $6,800
- Kingston SE Small Steps – Sustainability Expo connecting community, wellbeing and environmental action - $3,500
- Allendale East Public Hall Committee – Painting project helping “keep the heart of the community bright” - $2,000
Total Community Grants awarded in 2026: $100,626
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We acknowledge the Aboriginal people as the First Nations of these lands and waters of the Limestone Coast. We acknowledge the Elders, past, present and future, and we respect the ongoing deep feelings of attachment and relationships of First Nations people to country.
Artwork by Aunty Michelle Jacquelin-Furr depicting the waterholes, landforms and stones of the Limestone Coast.
