Readings Books, Music and Film has had a long history of supporting local causes. In the past this has taken place through various means. Now in our 40th year the Readings Foundation has been established by Readings Managing Director, Mark Rubbo, to both increase and formalise an ongoing commitment to supporting our community.

Applications are now closed for The Readings Foundation Grants but will open again in 2010.

The Foundation received 35 diverse applications for funding requests in 2009 totalling over $500,000. The selection panel included Trustees Mark Rubbo, Helen Garner and Phase III Consultant Gerald Smith as well as several Readings staff.

The four selected projects for 2009 were:

• The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation: to provide a tailored and individual tutoring program to disadvantaged and isolated indigenous children in Swan Hill ($10,000)
• Somebody's Daughter Theatre Company: to conduct a program encouraging disengaged or marginalised rural school students in Wodonga to join a creative arts program working with Somebody’s Daughter Theatre artists and young people from HighWater Theatre ($20,000)
• Olympic Adult Education: to provide literacy tuition for older aged, long term migrants who are extremely disadvantaged because of their low level reading and writing skills ($12,995)
• Fitzroy Learning Network: to upgrade their music studio which is used by youth from disadvantaged backgrounds ($8,000)

Recently established by Readings Managing Director, Mark Rubbo OAM, The Foundation aims to increase and formalise Readings’ ongoing commitment to support the local community. The Foundation will support Victorian individuals and organisations that wish to further the development of Literacy, Community work and the Arts.

‘Readings prides itself on its long history of supporting local causes’, remarked Mark Rubbo. ‘Over the years we have assisted a broad range of local organisations including The Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY), La Mama theatre, The Melbourne Prize and Sacred Heart Mission to name a few. Through the Readings Foundation, we aim to continue to contribute to the diversity and creativity of our local community for many years to come.’

This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals and arts organisations with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status to be able to bring their creative or literacy-related projects to life that otherwise would never have had the funds.

Readings will donate 2% of its overall profit to The Foundation each year. Customers can donate to The Readings Foundation by purchasing the new Readings Anthology Readings and Writings: Forty Years in Books, Readings gift-wrapping and accommodation window services and annual fundraising events. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible.