Supporting Conferences and Communities to Access More Funding 

At St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, we know that members and volunteers are delivering vital support to people experiencing hardship every day. Whether it's providing food assistance, emergency relief, household essentials, community programs, or innovative local projects, funding often plays a critical role in making this work possible. 

That's where the NSW Grants and Foundations Team comes in. 

We are excited to introduce our dedicated Grants and Foundations Team, a team of experienced grant professionals who will work alongside members and volunteers across NSW to help secure funding that strengthens local communities and expand the support we can provide. 

How the Team Can Help 

The NSW Grants and Foundations Team supports members and volunteers throughout the entire grants journey, from opportunity identification through to application and acquittal. 

The team helps identify suitable funding opportunities, develops competitive grant applications, manages funder requirements and supports reporting and acquittal obligations. 

They work across a broad range of funding streams, including: 

Whether you have an established project, an emerging idea, or a specific funding need, the NSW Grants and Foundations Team can help explore the right pathway. 

How the Team Supports Conferences 

Every Conference is unique, with different priorities, challenges and opportunities. 

The Grants and Foundations team works collaboratively with Conferences to: 

From food hampers and emergency relief programs to community development initiatives and equipment purchases, we've seen firsthand how grant funding can help strengthen local services and create lasting community impact. 

Meet the Team 

Retha Howard, Manager Grants and Foundations 

Retha recently joined St Vincent de Paul Society NSW as Manager, Grants and Foundations and brings deep expertise in helping not-for-profit organisations secure the funding they need to deliver essential programs and services. 

Passionate about building strong stakeholder relationships, telling compelling stories, and creating sustainable growth opportunities, Retha is committed to helping Conferences access funding that delivers meaningful outcomes for the communities they serve. 

Christina Yuen, Grants Advisor 

Christina recently joined the NSW Grants Team as Grants Advisor and has more than seven years of experience in the not-for-profit sector. 

She is passionate about building relationships, identifying funding opportunities, and developing compelling grant applications that create positive community outcomes. Christina looks forward to supporting Conferences across NSW to turn great ideas into funded projects. 

Nexhmije Shala, Grants Advisor 

With 15 years' experience in Grants Administration and extensive experience preparing successful ClubGRANTS applications, Nexhmije brings extensive knowledge and expertise to the team. 

She is passionate about helping conferences secure funding that benefits local communities and provides practical advice and support throughout every stage of the grant process. 

A successful grant application often starts with a conversation. 

We maintain a 12-month rolling grants calendar and continuously monitor funding opportunities throughout the year. If a suitable opportunity arises, we'll let you know.