Murrumbidgee Pitch Night applications now open

Community-driven and locally based organisations across the Murrumbidgee are encouraged to submit their ideas for one-off grant funding of at least $25,000 to improve community health and wellbeing for expectant mothers, mothers and children aged up to 12 years.

It’s part of Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network’s (MPHN) Pitch Night which aims to provide grassroots funding to three innovative projects determined by local people on Wednesday, 3 June in Wagga Wagga.

MPHN CEO Melissa Neal said last’s year’s Pitch Night was a great success and is looking forward to hearing about more innovative ideas from community organisations for improving health outcomes for mothers and children.

“I’ve really been inspired by the grassroots health initiatives funded by Pitch Night last year – from supporting mental health and wellbeing of drought affected young people, to social isolation of older Australians, and healthy living for people who are overweight or obese,” Ms Neal said.

“The aim of Pitch Night is to provide one-off grant funding for organisations to establish innovative projects that not only meet the needs of the community, but could act as a catalyst for implementation in other communities across the region.

“For this our second Pitch Night we’re looking for grassroots activities to address community health and wellbeing for expectant mothers, mothers up to 12 months after childbirth, and children up to 12 years old.

“This could address themes like getting people moving through exercise or physical activity, healthy eating, supporting mental health and wellbeing, and reducing harmful lifestyle behaviours like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

“Applications are now open and I would encourage organisations from around our region to submit their pitches. A shortlisting and selection panel will follow and three finalists will be invited to attend our Pitch Night. By the end of the evening it’s expected each finalist will receive at least $25,000 in one-off grant funding,” she said.

One of last year’s Pitch Night finalists, Sharon De Valentin from Exceptional Ageing said she would recommend any eligible organisation to submit their application for funding.

“Apply for Pitch Night, you gotta do it, it is the best thing, it will change your world,” Ms De Valentin said.

“With the $25,000 we received at last year’s Pitch Night we were able to deliver our Exceptional Ageing program to five locations and we were able to change the lives of people,” she said.

Applications close at 3pm on Thursday 2 April 2020 and for more information about Pitch Night and to submit your pitch visit www.mphn.org.au.