The Collingwood Football Club is pleased to release the Collingwood Foundation 2024 Community Impact Report.
The report details the Club's community impact, with over $2 million of funding raised last year thanks to the Club’s generous partners, valued donors and Members.
The Collingwood Foundation aims to foster inclusive and connected communities by supporting programs that sit within the Foundation’s two key pillars; A Nest for All and Barrawarn.
A Nest for All ensures everyone has a place to belong, call home, feel warm, fed, safe and connected.
The Barrawarn pillar celebrates the history and legacy of First Nations players, staff, Members and fans. Collingwood continues its ongoing commitment and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, and works to ensure the Club is a safe space for all.
A NEST FOR ALL
The Magpie Nest Housing program is a partnership with the Collingwood Foundation and the Salvation Army Project 614, that supports 41 houses in Melbourne and provides accommodation for over 120 adults and children.
Last year the Magpie Nest Café served 104,000 complimentary meals to Melbourne’s disadvantaged, averaging 10,000 meals per month. The café not only supplies food but is also a place where those in need can access wrap-around services such as legal support, Optometry, NDIS, Centrelink, and emergency accommodation.
Collingwood is a proud participant of the Victorian Wheelchair and Community Wheelchair Football Leagues which is designed for people living with disabilities to play an adapted version of AFL.
The Club also has a team in the Victorian Reclink Australian Football League aimed to create opportunities for individuals facing homelessness, mental health issues, unemployment, and drug and alcohol abuse. It offers participants social connections, improved health and well-being and access to support services.
BARRAWARN
Ngarra Jarranounith Place is a residential healing and behaviour change program for Aboriginal men. The Collingwood Foundation funds three houses for these men to safely access support services.
In April last year, the Club unveiled a new cultural space – the Barrawarn Room. Located in the Club’s redeveloped Visitor Centre, the Barrawarn Room was created to acknowledge and celebrate the Club’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes and staff members whilst recognising the Club’s ties to First Nation communities across Australia.
Recently Collingwood’s AFL and AFLW players, staff, members of the Board and Executive travelled to Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, situated 500km north of Alice Springs. The cultural immersion program engaged with Traditional Owners and Elders in the local area to foster meaningful relationships and drive positive and impactful community outcomes.
Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly spoke to the Club’s 12-month progress in the community space.
“As a Club we are pleased to be able to share the Collingwood Foundation 2024 Community Impact Report, the first of its kind for our Club,” Kelly said.
“The report represents more than just statistics, it reflects our commitment to supporting change in the community and how we can build on it year after year.
“I want to extend a special thank you to our community partners in Coles, Nike, Brendan Nottle, and the Project 614 team, alongside our valued donors and Collingwood Members, for their contributions.
“We have recorded over 6,240 volunteer hours from Collingwood staff, players, corporate partners, and friends through our community programs, which is a testament to our people wanting to be a part of important work beyond the football field.
“This report is a key part of our Club’s journey to create impactful and lasting change, and we look forward to continuing this work in future years.”
COLLINGWOOD FOUNDATION 2024 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
- Through the Magpie Nest program, 104,000 free meals have been served to Victorian's experiencing homelessness or disadvantage.
- 6,240+ volunteered hours from Collingwood staff, players, corporate partners and friends.
- Interstate cultural immersion program to the Northern Territory as part of the Club’s ongoing commitment to cultural learning in Tennant Creek.
- 124 adults and children were provided accommodation and utility bill assistance in 41 houses through our Magpie Nest Housing program.
- 300 women were connected to support services through the Magpie Nest Café, and 150 were connected to health services.
- 600 food hampers donated from Coles and packed by our staff and players that were given out on Christmas Day to those experiencing hard times.
- 721 Deadly Choices Collingwood shirts were given out to First Nations people after preventative health consultations.
