Bakers Dozen Social Justice Fund Launch

The Bakers Dozen Social Justice Fund Launched online on 16th September 2021, with the announcement of the first grants to six local charities. 

Over 100 people gathered via zoom to learn more about the Bakers Dozen Social Justice Fund, that has been established through a bequest left by Dr Christopher Baker and Ms Kerri Hall. Christopher and Kerri were passionate about the role of philanthropy in creating fairer and more inclusive communities, particularly for their community in Melbourne’s Inner North.

The launch included announcing the first grant recipients who each received $2,500-$5,000: 

  • The gifts from Dr Christopher Baker and Kerri Hall were significant. After being generous with friends and family, Christopher supported:
  •  The CERES Fund at the Inner North Community Foundation ($50,000) 
  • The Say Their Name Fund at the Inner North Community Foundation ($50,000) 
  • His sub-fund was ported from the Australian Communities Foundation to the Inner North Community Foundation just before he died, and established The Social Studio Fund, providing support for a refugee focused Charity (combined $250,000) 
  •  A gift to the Abbotsford Convent ($20,000)
  • Addition support to the State Library Victoria, in honour of his late partner, Kerri Hall. 
In addition to these gifts, the Swinburne Philanthropy and Social Impact Alumni (SPSIA) named this scholarship in honour of the late Dr Christopher Baker to recogise his significant contribution to the community and philanthropy and social investment sector. (contributions welcome here
 
The residual estate was given to the Inner North Community Foundation to establish the Bakers Dozen Social Justice Fund, with a gift of approx. $3,500,000. Christopher and Kerri were keen to bring others on their journey of supporting social justice in the Inner North of Melbourne, and people can get involved by: 
  • Contributing to the Fund in through a one off or regular donation into the Fund (tax -deductible if required), bequest left in your Will, or by co-funding selected projects that have been thoroughly assessed and approved for funding through the annual grants process.
  • Applying for a grant to progress social justice in the Inner North of Melbourne
  • Participate in Baker’s Dozen Social Justice Fund Governance. 

The Foundation established an Advisory Group to help with this first part of the Fund, and our community has some high calibre people that rolled up their sleeves.

Over the last 12 months the group has met to progress the donor wishes. Thank you so much to.

  • Distinguished Professor Josephine Barraket, Centre for Social Impact, Swinburne University,
  • Maryum Chowdry, President, Sanad Foundation
  • Rachel English, Director, Inner North Community Foundation
  • Craig Kenny, Director, Inner North Community Foundation
  • Grace McQuilten, Director, The Social Studio
  • Carolyn Phiddian, Chair, Inner North Community Foundation
  • Ms Sarah Sheridan, Co-Founder, Clothing The Gap
  • Dr Genevieve Timmons, Paul Ramsay Foundation