Community Grants Impact Café 2026 - Newman
From Issue to Impact: Designing Initiatives, Measuring Outcomes & Strengthening Grant Applications
Got a powerful idea, a community challenge to solve, or a project ready to grow — but not quite sure how to clearly show its value to funders like Lotterywest, Healthway, or other grant and partnership programs?
The Impact Café Series is your friendly, practical space to sit down with a cuppa and work through the how of turning good intentions into fundable, measurable impact. Whether you’re developing a new initiative, preparing a grant, funding or sponsorship application, or wanting to sharpen your outcomes measurement and reporting, this workshop gives you the tools, frameworks and confidence to back your idea with a strong case for support.
This hands-on session will explore:
☕ How to define the real-world change your initiative aims to create
☕ How to design project outcomes that align with funder priorities
☕ How to use simple, free tools to build compelling narratives for grants, funding and partnership proposals
☕ Learn meaningful ways to measure and communicate outcomes so your impact story resonates with funders, partners, and your community
You’ll leave with greater clarity, strengthened project logic, and practical tools that help your initiatives demonstrate genuine value — to funders, partners, collaborators, community stakeholders, and most importantly, to yourselves.
Facilitator: Melanie Bainbridge
Melanie Bainbridge is a social impact and sustainability professional with over 20 years’ experience in strategy, policy, and community engagement. As Senior Manager, Impact Design and Capability at Lotterywest, she helps organisations design for measurable, meaningful impact. Mel has worked extensively with local governments and community groups to develop strategies focused on sustainability, equity, wellbeing, and culture. She’s passionate about turning big ideas into practical action and helping groups define their goals, plan their path, and share their story with clarity and heart.
Learn about wellbeing
Understand how your community is going to help you to better target and plan your project.
Ready to plan your project?
Understand your vision, plan your impact and report on the outcomes of your project with three easy interactive tools in the Community Impact Planner.
Acknowledgement of Country
Lotterywest and The Western Australian Community Impact Hub proudly acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Western Australia and recognises their continuing and cultural connection to the land and waters, families, and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders past and present.