Semi Finalist Site Visit: Ageing With Grace

In 2025, Impact100 Sydney sought grant applications from charities undertaking activities to promote social cohesion in the Greater Sydney region. We received 64 applications from across Sydney, and nine have been selected to proceed to the semi-finalist stage.

This stage of the process involves the provision of additional information by the shortlisted organisations, and the participation in a virtual site visit that is open to all Impact100 Sydney 2025 donors to attend.

Site visits present a terrific opportunity for organisations to bring to life their grant application, for you to meet key people in the organisation and ask questions that help clarify the program being pitched.

Ageing with Grace

Ageing with Grace is a community-based charity committed to ensuring that growing older doesn't mean growing lonely. The organisation champions the rights and wellbeing of older people through meaningful connection and support, operating across the NT, NSW, Victoria and ACT. Despite having a small, dedicated team led by a CEO with program coordinators and admin support, they have significant impact through their delivery of the federally funded Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS), which carefully matches trained volunteers with older people receiving aged care services who are often at risk of isolation.

The organisation has achieved steady growth in volunteer placements year-on-year, with high satisfaction rates from both volunteers and the older people they support. Their CEO serves as a State Network Member for ACVVS, contributing to national advocacy efforts. Many of their volunteers are young people seeking purpose and connection themselves, creating an intergenerational approach where older people benefit from companionship while younger volunteers build confidence, develop communication skills, and gain valuable experience for future employment.

A $100,000 grant from IMPACT100 Sydney would enable Ageing with Grace to launch their "Creating Connections, Enhancing Lives" program - a new place-based initiative addressing growing social isolation among older people in Greater Sydney. The funding would support a part-time program coordinator, culturally appropriate promotional materials, peer support groups for 50 older people, one-on-one friendships for 30 people, virtual friendships for another 30, and the recruitment and training of 80 volunteers. The program would include venue hire, catering, transport support, technology assistance for virtual connections, and comprehensive evaluation to ensure lasting impact and sustainability beyond the grant period.