The Pelican Foundation has been operating since 1983 and in 2008 was re-Launched  by Senator Ursula Stephens to provide a fresh energy and focus to its work across the Diocese.  The Pelican Foundation provides a means to give expression to the vision of the Diocese and is a mechanism for “embracing all that might be, new communities of faith, within existing structures and beyond them.” (Diocesan Vision Statement)

The Foundation supports the delivery of the specific Diocesan objectives of:

• Growing new communities in faith;

• Actively working for social and environmental justice;

• Engaging new models of ministry; and

• Enabling the mission through effective resourcing.

Structure of the Pelican Foundation

The Pelican Foundation is a trust under the trusteeship of the Anglican Church Property Trust Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn,

for the purpose of receiving and managing investment and distribution of funds that come from a ministry unit or diocesan agency

following the sale of surplus property, or from individuals (Donors) who gift or bequeath money or property to the Pelican Foundation.

The assets of the Pelican Foundation are managed by the Board of the Pelican Foundation. The Foundation Deed specifies

that the Foundation Board can have four members elected by Bishop-In-Council and three members by members of the foundation.

The Bishop is president, the Treasurer Ex-Officio and the Registrar Secretary.

Current Membership of the Board

Bishop Stuart Robinson (President)

Andrew Blyth (Chair)

Emily Lambert

David Service (Treasurer)

Tracey Matthews (Secretary)

Symbolism of the Pelican

The symbolism of the pelican originates from Medieval Europe where the mother pelican’s devotion and attentiveness is to the extent

of providing her own blood for her young when no other food is available. Within Christianity this imagery became a symbol of the

passion of Jesus and of the Eucharist. The Pelican symbolizes Jesus our Redeemer, the One who gives His life for our redemption. 

Key objectives of the Pelican Foundation

The primary objective of the Pelican Foundation is to fund projects that engage the wider community, both churched and unchurched,

in order to respond to human need through loving service. Preference for funding is given to projects that:

• expand the Church’s ministry to this broad community by:

• expanding existing ministries; and

• establishing new ministries that grow new communities in faith;

• develop partnerships between the Church and the community;

• are innovative and engage new models of ministry; and

• facilitate education and training.

Funding principles guiding the grant making of the Pelican Foundation

• A focus on the expansion of ministry: expanding and supporting existing ministry already established within the Church;

and encouraging new ministry through supporting innovative initiatives that respond to emerging needs within the wider community.

• Developing Partnerships: through grants that help develop the relationships between church members and the wider community,

both churched and unchurched, in a way that enhances community wellbeing.

• A Focus on Innovation: through grants for projects that are new and innovative in their design and application.

• A Focus on Facilitating Education and Training: through grants to support education and training that facilitates pathways for those

wishing to further their understanding of their faith and how it can best impact the provision of loving service through engagement with

the wider community and in the application of that faith in relevant ministries.

Assisting the Foundation

You can assist the Pelican Foundation by making a donation or bequest towards the work of the Foundation or becoming a regular donor.

Contributions to the Foundation will help to increase the capacity of the Board to fund additional projects and facilitate community engagement.

Click here for a donation form

Click here for objectives of the Pelican Foundation and guidelines to the funding categories

Applying for a grant  

Under the terms of the Pelican Foundation Deed, the Foundation can only make grants available for purposes that are consistent with the Objectives

of the Pelican Foundation and the current Mission Plan of the Diocese. Grants are made available to assist the Diocese or a particular parish or

diocesan institution for projects that are strictly charitable in the legal sense.

Grants will only be made available to individuals or groups from within the Diocese who are verified and endorsed by their parish council

or governing body. Grants will not be made available for capital projects such as building renovations, to fund parish budget deficits,

both real and de-facto or to fund Clergy salaries. Any project to be considered must be able to be effectively evaluated and the outcomes

deemed to enhance the profile and work of the Pelican Foundation.

Preference will be given to projects that best meet the purpose of the Pelican Foundation. Projects will be evaluated for success and second round

offers may be considered on individual merit.

The Pelican Foundation Board calls for grant applications from 1 January each year and applications close on 30 June.

The Board assesses each application and awards grants for the following year on an annual basis.

Funding levels are dependent on investment performance and capital value of the assets of the foundation.

Click here to download an application form

For more information contact Julia Golding on 02 6248 0811.