Judith Neilson Foundation

🌱 Exciting News! Yesterday, we launched our Sustainable Agriculture Project in partnership with Judith Neilson Foundation in Nyagatare, following our kickoff in Rulindo last month! We're empowering 4,500 farmers—3,000 in Rulindo and 1,500 in Nyagatare. Through this initiative, we are are not only ensuring sufficient supply of fresh ingredients for the production of healthy meals but are also providing a steady and growing market to improve farmer incomes. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us! Your support is vital as we uplift local farmers and work towards nutrition security for all. Learn more about Solid'Africa: www.solidafrica.org #solidafrica #sustainableagriculture #nutritionsecurity #foodismedicine

RACS's Women at Risk team exists for women seeking asylum who carry the additional vulnerability of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence. In 2024, our specialist service, staffed by a women-only team, has helped 220+ women seeking asylum to: 🔸Apply and reapply for protection visas 🔸Attend Department interviews and hearings 🔸Connect with health and welfare services It's because of our incredibly generous philanthropic foundations like the Judith Neilson Foundation, as well as individual donors, that this is possible - thank you. Nabilah Reza Emily Pullen Julia Cantwell Isobel McGarity #nonprofit #charity #refugeerights #humanrights #women #impact

Grace Waringa, Diana Muthee-Gitiba, and Joanie Kinyanjui are building businesses that support farmers, improve healthcare, and drive real change in their communities. With ygap’s 0% interest loans, they’re leading sustainable initiatives that address local needs. We’re proud to partner with ygap, investing in women who are tackling critical challenges and making a lasting impact. Check out their incredible work in Kenya 📹⤵

Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS) has been working to reshape legal services with a trauma-informed approach, ensuring women seeking asylum receive the care and support they need. Their Women at Risk team is making an impact where it's needed most, helping survivors navigate complex legal challenges with dignity. We're proud to support their work to improve outcomes for vulnerable women. Learn more about their approach and access their new toolkit in their new blog ⤵

WAGEC is so proud to be delivering From Now - working to support women leaving prison who are pregnant, with children, experiencing homelessness and DV. The work is so inspiring to see - truly transformative and life changing. Led by Jenny Anne Holmes with the exceptional Jemma and Lara and the generous support for our pilot from the Judith Neilson Foundation Candice Van Doosselaere We continue our work to fund the project in the long term and to extend our reach given the demand for such support. https://lnkd.in/g92jk8_9

The Strong Women for Healthy Country Network is a powerful collective of First Nations women rangers from across the Northern Territory, united in their commitment to protecting their lands and strengthening their communities. Since 2019, the Network has grown to over 200 women from 32 ranger groups, all working together to collaborate, communicate, and advocate with a shared voice. Supported by the Karrkad Kanjdji Trust, the Network provides tailored training, mentorship, and leadership development to ensure these women rangers thrive in their critical roles. We’re proud to invest in this initiative, placing First Nations women at the forefront of land management, cultural preservation, and community resilience in one of Australia’s most biodiverse regions. In September 2024, these remarkable women came together on Larrakia Country to share knowledge, expand their network, and drive impactful change for their communities at the Network’s annual forum. Learn more about the Strong Women for Healthy Country Network: https://lnkd.in/gsTpxhKD #WomenRangers #LandManagement  

Girls today are navigating complex challenges—like inequality, conflict, and climate change—but they remain resilient and hopeful. In Northern Uganda, Ruth, a refugee from South Sudan, joined a youth savings group through Plan International Australia, started a small business, and now supports her family and siblings' education. On this International Day of the Girl, we celebrate our partners and the work they do to provide the education, safety, and leadership opportunities that help turn that hope into action, supporting girls to shape the future they envision. Photo © Plan International Australia, Uganda.

On World Homeless Day, we reflect on how tackling homelessness strengthens communities. While Australia has obligations under international law to ensure everyone in the country has access to safe, stable housing, we see a trend with worsening statistics, where the most marginalised members of society are especially vulnerable. At the Judith Neilson Foundation, we invest in partnerships focused on sustainable solutions because safe, stable housing creates lasting change. Whether it’s supporting women transitioning out of crisis through the Women's & Girls' Emergency Centre (WAGEC), helping families rebuild their lives with dignity through ReLove, partnering with the Community Restorative Centre’s Miranda Project to break cycles of disadvantage for criminalised women impacted by homelessness and violence, or ensuring access to legal support through the Justice and Equity Centre (formerly the Public Interest Advocacy Centre)'s Women's Homelessness Prevention Service, Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS)'s Women@Risk program or Anti-Slavery Australia's legal advice service for those in forced marriage or labour situations, we are committed to ensuring women and their children receive the support they need to overcome complex challenges leading to homelessness. It’s all part of a bigger ecosystem of incredible grassroots organisations working to support communities to thrive through local, innovative approaches.

In July 2024, First Nations Futures distributed $340,000 in unrestricted funding to First Nations community organisations, empowering them to drive self-determined futures and address community needs on their own terms. For many, this is the first time they’ve received unrestricted funding, giving them the flexibility to focus on what truly matters — supporting their people and delivering work where it’s needed most. This funding has opened doors for growth, innovation, and sustainability, helping these communities build stronger, more resilient futures.     With just 0.5% of philanthropic dollars reaching First Nations-led organisations in Australia, First Nations Futures is tackling this imbalance head-on. By channelling resources directly to community-led initiatives, they are transforming how philanthropy fosters long-term, locally driven impact.

Smallholder farmers are the backbone of #Rwanda’s economy, and with Solid'Africa's support, they’re unlocking new opportunities. Solid'Africa is supporting 4,500 vulnerable smallholder farmers—nearly 60% of them women—in adopting sustainable farming techniques that improve soil health and boost crop yields. Their Sustainable Agriculture Program is increasing farm productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, and raising household incomes. With targeted training, access to quality farming inputs, and guaranteed market access through Solid’Africa’s meal programs, they’re helping to create a sustainable circular economy that uplifts farmers and improves patient care, paving the way for more prosperous communities in Rwanda. Learn more about our partnership here: https://lnkd.in/gR5Tqj-n