A grant can light the first spark, but it is the relationships around that spark that keep the fire burning. At the Frank Montagnese Foundation (FMF), we look beyond single transactions to build networks of donors, volunteers and corporate allies that carry each project further than money alone ever could. These three stories show our village approach in action.
Dr Paul Mitchell’s Lung-Cancer Breakthrough
The need
Early-stage lung cancer often goes undetected, making it Australia’s deadliest cancer. Dr Paul Mitchell’s team had a promising biomarker but needed seed funding to run a pilot study.
FMF’s role as connector
- Funding the fellowship gave the research nine months of lab time.
- We introduced a diagnostics start-up that supplied discounted reagents and opened the door to industry expertise.
- A corporate partner from FMF’s network matched travel costs so the team could present findings at an international conference.
Lasting impact
The pilot recorded 87 per cent accuracy, earning federal co-funding for a broader trial. The start-up is now in talks to license the assay, turning a lab idea into a potential standard test.
St Kilda Mums and the Circle of Care
The need
Families escaping domestic violence urgently required safe cots and winter heaters. St Kilda Mums could move fast but lacked immediate funds and logistics support.
FMF’s role as connector
- Our grant covered 40 brand-new cots and portable heaters.
- We linked a furniture retailer that donated warehouse space and weekend staff for sorting.
- A local delivery start-up supplied free last-mile transport after hearing the story through our newsletter.
Lasting impact
Every cot reached a family within three weeks. The retailer now runs quarterly collection drives, while the delivery start-up offers discounted rates year-round, multiplying reach without extra FMF dollars.
CFA Plenty & Harcourt: Ready for the Next Call-Out
The need
After the 2020 bushfires, volunteers at Plenty and Harcourt CFA brigades lost precious hours drying heavy hoses, slowing truck turnaround.
FMF’s role as connector
- We funded custom hose-drying racks for both stations.
- A regional engineering firm, brought in through FMF’s business circle, provided design tweaks to suit local conditions.
- Volunteers from a nearby men’s shed handled installation, sparking an ongoing skills-sharing partnership.
Lasting impact
Turnaround time fell from overnight to under two hours. The engineering firm now mentors brigade members in equipment maintenance, and the men’s shed has taken on additional station improvements.
What These Stories Teach Us
- Money is the starter, not the finish line. Each project moved faster and further because extra hands and resources stepped in.
- Shared values attract allies. Transparency and a clear impact roadmap draw in partners that stay the course.
- Networks outlast grants. Once businesses and volunteers see tangible results, they keep giving, often in new and unexpected ways.
Join the Village
Whether you are an organisation seeking support, a donor looking for measurable impact or a company wanting to put skills to use, FMF can help you find the right fit. When many hands lift together, the outcomes speak for themselves. Reach out today and become part of the FMF village.
