Community choice award - MyState Bank

To celebrate 25 years of the MyState Foundation, we’re putting the choice in your hands. Nominate and vote for a youth‑focused charity, and they could receive a one-off $25,000 grant to help young Tasmanians reach their full potential.

Nominations are now in, it’s time to vote and shine the light on an organisation making a real difference.

Your vote could help kick-start new projects, reach more young people, or even shape an organisation’s future. You see the impact they make every day. Now’s your chance to give back and help grow their reach across our community.

Guidelines

How to vote

Nominations have closed and our shortlist of inspiring youth-focused organisations are in. Now it’s your turn to help decide who receives the $25,000 Community Choice Award.

Read about each organisation by selecting their name in the drop-down menu in the voting form.
Choose the one you think is most deserving, and cast your vote by Monday 29 June 2026 at 5:00pm. One vote per person.
The organisation with the most votes will receive the $25,000 Community Choice Award, with the winner announced on Wednesday 1 July 2026.
Plus, if you're based in Tasmania and 18 or over, when you vote you’ll automatically go in the draw to win 1 of 3 amazing prize packages. ¹

Voting form

Full name(Required)

Email address(Required)

Postcode(Required)

Over 18?(Required)

Yes

Who would you like to vote for?(Required)

A Fairer World

Using the power of real 'lived experience' storytelling and activities, we help young people develop empathy, confidence and kindness, creating more inclusive schools and communities.

Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania

Supporting young Tasmanian Aborigines to return to Country, learn their stories, connect with ancestors and strengthen lifelong connections to their Culture and Community.

Anglicare Tasmania

Funding will deliver financial literacy programs to young Tasmanians in Anglicare's Youth2Independence accommodation services, building skills for lasting financial independence.

Artisan, A Big Hart Project

To support our practical, hands-on learning approaches, Artisan wishes to provide all participants with complimentary quality workwear and safety equipment to support future employment opportunities.

b kinder foundation

Empower young people to lead with kindness and become positive changemakers in their schools and communities by expanding the b kinder school program across Tasmania.

Beacon Foundation

Empower young Tasmanians to shape the future of work through a statewide innovation challenge that turns youth ideas into action.

Brave Foundation

Funds will support young parents to achieve their goals and enable Brave to formally recognise participant success and program impact.

Bridgewater PCYC

Creating opportunities for local children and young people through connection, participation, recreation and programs that build confidence, belonging and stronger communities.

Bucaan Community House

Help bring FREE Family Movie Nights to Chigwell with a projector, screen, beanbags, popcorn, pizza and activities creating affordable memories for families during the cost of living crisis.

Camp Clayton

Upgrade Camp Clayton's High Ropes Course, helping thousands of young Tasmanians develop confidence, resilience, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through adventure.

Camp Quality

Camp Quality's Family Camps provide families impacted by childhood cancer with a break from the cancer journey, helping them reconnect and improve wellbeing.

Cancer Council Tasmania - Mobile UV Monitor

Tasmania has one of the world's highest melanoma rates. Vote for mobile UV monitors and free sunscreen at youth events, protecting thousands of young Tasmanians.

Cancer Council Tasmania - Under 25 Program

Our under 25s program empowers young people to keep learning, connecting and pursuing goals despite a parent's cancer diagnosis, through our targeted financial support program.

Canteen, Tasmania

Make sure no young Tasmanian faces cancer alone – vote for Canteen today.

Clown Doctors Australia

Clown Doctors Australia bring courage, resilience and hope to hospitals, helping children face fear and pain through empathy, laughter, play and meaningful human connection.

Cystic Fibrosis Tasmania

Helping young Tasmanians with cystic fibrosis build futures defined by opportunity, not their condition.

Down Syndrome Tasmania

Supporting young people to embrace independence, build life skills, and step confidently into inclusive communities where they can thrive and shape their own future.

Dress for Success

A first job can change the trajectory of a young person's life. Through our programs we're making sure more young Tasmanians get that chance.

DRILL Performance Company

Funding will support DRILL's Horizon Project, providing unique opportunities for students to engage in high-quality artistic experiences, developing personal and social skills through collaborative dance.

Feel the Magic

Help grieving Tasmanian children and families access free evidence-based education, support, connection and community following the death of a parent, sibling or guardian.

Fostering Hope

This funding will match more young people in care with a volunteer mentor to walk alongside them, offering encouragement, and being a positive, safe adult.

Fusion Southern Tasmania

Fusion would resource our training kitchen, teaching young people lacking positive food role models to cook and build independence beyond food handouts and fast food.

George Town Neighbourhood House

Preparing young Tasmanians for the big wide world through practical support, Centrelink and ID assistance, practical skills, service connections and pathways to independence.

Giant Steps Tasmania

Create a peaceful sensory garden that enables students with autism to thrive through meaningful learning, life skills development, improved wellbeing, and enhanced emotional regulation.

HealthLit4Everyone

Helping Tasmanian children build the confidence to understand health information, make healthy choices and know where to go for help.

Hobart City Mission - DIY Dads and Small Steps

Small Steps and DIY Dads help young mums, fathers, and children facing homelessness stay safe, supported, connected, and equipped with foundations to build better lives.

Hobart Legacy

Hobart Legacy provides tailored, personalised support to families of veterans who sacrificed their lives or health serving Australia, funding education and extracurricular opportunities for Tasmanian children.

Hobart Women's Shelter

Hobart Women's Shelter supports women and children from across Tasmania with crisis accommodation, working toward safe, inclusive communities free from homelessness, violence, inequality, and injustice.

Home Base

Help young Tasmanians turn food into independence. Your vote funds life skills that teach shopping, cooking and budgeting for a brighter future.

Hope in a Suitcase, Tasmania

This funding will provide suitcases of new belongings to children and young people entering foster or out-of-home care across Tasmania. Sending them HOPE!

Huon Valley PCYC

POWERFORWARD will help young Tasmanians facing bullying, isolation and challenges at home, school and work move forward with confidence through resilience, mentoring and life skills.

JCP Youth

$25,000 will fund all Kaleido Summer Camps and connect vulnerable Tasmanian children aged 8-11 to safe, inclusive summer recreation opportunities statewide.

Karinya Youth Services

Empowering young Tasmanians to overcome challenges, build resilience and create positive futures through support, connection and opportunity.

Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving Club

This funding will transform our new KBSLSC clubrooms into a vibrant youth hub, supporting training, education, volunteering, social connection and community participation year-round.

Lady Gowrie Tasmania

"Lady Gowrie Explorers" connects children with local places, people, and culture through regular outings, fostering belonging, confidence, and active participation in their community.

Launceston Benevolent Society

Funding will provide school meals and shoes for students. 1/3 of Tasmanian students arrive without having breakfast or proper footwear, ¼ do not have lunch.

Launceston City Mission, The Mish

Funding enables The Mish to deliver practical learning, creative expression and meaningful social connections that build confidence, life skills and strengthens belonging for young Tasmanians.

Life Without Barriers

Expand the HUB's capacity to connect people living with disabilities, fostering belonging, independence, and opportunities to thrive within their communities. Expanding the programs already being offered.

Live4Life Break O'Day

The funding would be used to deliver mental health first aid training to support the education, and knowledge, of appropriate supports for young people.

Loaves and Fishes - Devonport Chaplaincy

We offer traineeships to young Tasmanians facing barriers to employment in our working kitchens and warehouses, building real skills and real pathways into meaningful work.

Make-A-Wish Tasmania

Make-A-Wish Australia would use funding to grant more life-changing wishes for critically ill Tasmanian children, bringing joy, hope and connection during incredibly challenging times.

Mental Health Council of Tasmania

Creating a simple digital tool that helps young Tasmanians find mental health support faster by connecting local services and removing confusion about where to turn.

New Horizons Tasmania

Every young person deserves a chance to shine. Help young Tasmanians with disability discover their strengths, follow their dreams and access life-changing opportunities.

Orange Sky

Orange Sky supports people in Tasmania experiencing homelessness and hardship through access to our Laundry Van 'Bubbles', providing free laundry, warm showers and genuine conversation.

OzHarvest

OzHarvest education programs equip young people with life skills that last; cooking, food waste awareness, healthy eating habits and pathways to employment or further education.

P.A.R.T.Y Program Royal Hobart Hospital

The PARTY program immerses students in real hospital trauma care, reinforcing the serious consequences of injury and promoting safer choices to prevent road trauma future.

Paediatrics Ward Royal Hobart Hospital

Smileyscope is a child-friendly virtual reality platform that reduces distress in children during medical procedures, lowering pain and anxiety and potentially reducing the need for sedation.

PCYC North

Funding will help continue and expand our youth engagement and early intervention programs, providing safe spaces, mentoring, life skills, and positive opportunities for young Tasmanians.

Pulse Youth Health South

Pulse hopes to extend its long-running work to assist Tasmania's most at-risk young people and deliver additional arts and music programs regionally.

Ronald McDonald House TAS

Funding will provide 125-nights of free accommodation at Ronald McDonald House Hobart, keeping families close to their seriously ill child, easing financial and emotional stress.

School Food Matters

School Food Matters' School Lunch Program provides 22,000 nutritious hot lunches every week to Tasmanian students. They're on a mission to make this program statewide.

Second Echo Ensemble

A program, built specifically for young Tasmanians facing barriers to participation, building confidence, skills, friendships and a sense of belonging through creativity and community connections.

Share the Dignity

No young Tasmanian should miss school, services or opportunities because they can't afford period products. Help us provide free period products in your community.

SHE Shreds

SSA will use the funds to create a new indoor skateboarding facility for Tasmanian girls!

Slipstream Circus

Slipstream Circus will strengthen its youth programs by engaging industry professionals, boosting youth retention and culminating in a celebrated, family-friendly summer community circus event.

Speak Out Advocacy

Growing Voices – Advocates in Action deserves the MyState Community Choice Award because it would empower young Tasmanians with intellectual disability to become confident self-advocates, community leaders and agents of change.

SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY

We would love to expand our Stay ChatTY Construction Program to include Apprentice specific resources, digital modules and an in person presentation.

Square Pegs Dyslexia Support and Advocacy

Funding would expand face to face support, knowledge and dyslexia awareness across Tasmania, enabling young people, families and educators to build skills, confidence, resilience and connection.

St Cecilia Productions

The funding will assist concert and rehearsal venue hire, bespoke musical arrangements, technical equipment, and staging the annual Eisteddford, directly reducing participation barriers for young Tasmanian musicians.

St Giles

Help young Tasmanians take their first steps with cutting-edge robotic gait therapy - training local therapists to bring life-changing mobility support to our state.

St John Ambulance Youth Program Tasmania

Funding lifesaving training, leadership development, State Youth Competitions, and travel to Perth for Tasmanian youth representing their state nationally.

Story Dogs

For just $9 per session, Story Dogs will deliver 2,800 additional reading sessions in Tasmania, transforming children's confidence, literacy and lifelong learning potential.

Tasmanian Bike Collective

We empower at-risk youth disconnected from schooling. The funding would be used to provide mentorship and tools, helping them build resilience and re-engage with education.

Tasmanian Multiple Birth Association

Funds will help Tasmanian multiple birth families with practical support at birth, through sleepless nights and school starts, ensuring they face no milestone alone.

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

TMAG's free, autumn Lift Off! Festival presents engaging and inspiring activities developed for and with young Tasmanians in and around the state museum and art gallery.

Tasmanian Youth Orchestras

Music is for everyone! TYO Connections gives young musicians experiencing financial or geographical participation barriers, the opportunity to play on with TYO!

Tassie Mums

Tassie Mums provides essential everyday items to vulnerable children across Tasmania, delivering comfort, dignity and practical support where and when it's needed most.

Teen Challenge Tasmania

Expanding mentoring and after-school support so more vulnerable young Tasmanians can access trusted adults, meaningful connections, safety, belonging and hope.

The Hive Counselling

The Hive Counselling would use $25,000 to deliver Good Vibes for at risk or disadvantaged young people to build confidence, connection, emotional regulation and resilience.

The Link Youth Health Service

The Link Youth Health Service would fund group activities that foster connection, build skills and trust, encourage help-seeking, and improve knowledge, health, and wellbeing.

The Salvation Army

Help launch our "Next-Gen Van" mobile outreach to regional Tasmanian youth, providing activities, connecting young people, boosting wellbeing, and building confident, resilient communities.

The Shepherd Centre

Your vote supports deaf children and their parents with guidance, education and tailored early intervention, helping children to listen and speak, build confidence, and thrive.

The Story Island Project

Story Island will deliver in-school, creative storytelling workshops to students living in areas of disadvantage, building confidence and encouraging greater engagement with literacy.

The Windeward Bound Foundation

This funding will give 200 disadvantaged students access to Learning the Ropes programs, plus 5 scholarships for our December Youth Leadership Challenge - building brighter futures.

THEIRS

Help us create Mess Fest! An annual youth-led and ran wellbeing festival connecting communities, reducing stigma, and making mental health support visible and accessible.

Variety the Childrens Charity Tasmania

Back talented young Tasmanians to overcome financial barriers and take their abilities in sport, the arts and academics to a professional level.

Welcome Cultural Services

The program supports young Tasmanians from diverse communities through mentoring, community connection and pre-employment pathways, helping build confidence, skills and access to sport, recreation and future opportunities.

Working It Out

WIO would offer a Pride Camp for LGBTIQA+ young people to come together to connect and create a sense of pride and joy.

YFCC - Youth, Family, and Community Connections

YFCC will deliver the ARVOs Youth Program across Burnie and Devonport, employ additional youth coaches and upgrade facilities to better meet the needs of local young people.

Young Leaders of Tasmania

YLOT will roll out a statewide Work Buddies program, supporting workplace skills, mentoring and opportunities for young Tasmanians with disability to build confidence, capacity and independence.

Youth Futures

Taking at-risk young Tasmanians rock climbing, abseiling and caving - adventures that build resilience, teamwork and community connection for youth experiencing homelessness.

Youth Matters - Youth with a Mission Tasmania

Youth Matters will use the funding to provide a safe space for teens to connect, along with resources, nutritious food, mentoring and holiday activities.

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Important dates

Shortlisted organisations open to community voting:

Monday 22 June 2026

Community voting closes:

5:00pm on Monday 29 June 2026

Successful grant recipient announced:

Wednesday 01 July 2026

Voting competition prizes

Casting your vote does more than support a great cause - if you’re based in Tasmania and 18 or over, you’ll also automatically go into the draw to win 1 of 3 exciting prize packages¹ :

First Prize - Tickets to the following events at MyState Bank Arena:
- 2 x VIP Platform tickets to USA vs Canada Ice Hockey Classic on 4 July
- 4 x tickets to Paw Patrol on 25 July
- 4 x tickets Cat Empire with the TSO on 25 September
- PLUS $500 spending money to use at the events
Second Prize - Tickets to the following events at MyState Bank Arena:
- 2 x tickets USA vs Canada Ice Hockey Classic on 4 July
- 2 x tickets to Paw Patrol on 25 July
- 2 x tickets to Cat Empire with the TSO on 25 September
- PLUS $250 spending money to use at the events
Third Prize - Tickets to the following events at MyState Bank Arena:
- 2 x tickets to Paw Patrol on 25 July
- 2 x tickets to Cat Empire with the TSO on 25 September
- PLUS $100 spending money to use at the events

For full competition terms and conditions visit here

FAQs

General questions

What is the Community Choice Award?

The Community Choice Award is a special, one-off $25,000 grant to celebrate the MyState Foundation’s 25-year anniversary.

Who can take part?

Anyone in the community can nominate and vote.

Who is the award for?

This award is designed to uplift a Tasmanian not-for-profit organisation or charity that supports our young people. To be eligible, the organisation needs to have:

Not-for-profit or charity status
Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status
A valid ABN
Programs that directly support young Tasmanians

Eligibility questions

Which organisations can I nominate?

You can nominate any wonderful organisation that operates in Tasmania and delivers programs for young people, provided they are a registered not-for-profit or charity with DGR status and an ABN.

What kinds of activities count as "supporting young people"?

We know support comes in many beautiful forms. This might include programs focused on education, mental health and wellbeing, confidence and resilience, disability support, financial literacy, or community connection.

Can I nominate a sports club, school, or informal community group?

You can certainly nominate them, but only if they meet all the strict eligibility criteria, including having DGR status and an ABN.

What is DGR status?

DGR status means the organisation is officially recognised by the ATO to receive tax-deductible donations. It’s a requirement for this award. You can easily check an organisation's DGR status on the ATO or ACNC websites.

Can I nominate an organisation I work or volunteer for?

Yes, absolutely! We encourage you to advocate for the causes you care about deeply.

Do I need to tell the organisation I’m nominating them?

No. You can nominate them privately, and we will reach out directly to the shortlisted organisations.

What age bracket classifies as 'youth'?

0 to 25 years old

Nomination questions

How many organisations can I nominate?

You can nominate as many different eligible organisations as you like.

Can I nominate the same organisation more than once?

An organisation only needs to be nominated once to be considered for the shortlist, so there is no need to submit multiple nominations for the same group.

What information do I need to provide?

We like to keep things simple. You’ll just need to share:

Your name and email
The organisation’s name and website (if known)
A brief explanation of why you think they deserve the award and how the funds would help young Tasmanians

Will I hear back after I nominate?

You’ll receive a quick confirmation message on the website so you know we have received. After that, we will only contact the shortlisted organisations.

Voting questions

How does voting work?

Once nominations close, our team carefully verifies each organisation against this eligibility. We will feature the shortlisted organisations on our website, complete with a photo and a short story about how they plan to use the grant. You can then read their stories and cast your vote for the one you believe will make the most meaningful difference. You will use your name and email address to submit and verify your vote.

Can I vote more than once?

To keep the process completely fair for everyone, you may only vote once. We will remove any duplicate votes.

Can organisations encourage people to vote for them?

Yes, they absolutely can! We encourage them to share the voting link and rally their community for support.

Do I have to live in Tasmania to vote?

No, anyone is welcome to vote. However, the award itself is strictly focused on Tasmanian organisations supporting Tasmanian youth.

Process and outcome questions

How is the shortlist chosen?

Our team reviews every single nomination to confirm they meet the Foundation’s grant criteria (DGR, ABN, not-for-profit status, and a genuine youth focus).

How is the winner chosen?

The organisation that receives the highest number of valid, verified public votes will win the grant.

What happens if there is a tie?

If two amazing organisations receive the exact same number of valid votes, the MyState Foundation Chair will step in to make the final decision.

When will the winner be announced?

We will announce the winner after voting closes and all votes are carefully verified. We will share the wonderful news directly with the winning organisation and nominator, on our website, through our social channels, and in the media.

What can the winning organisation use the $25,000 for?

The funding must be used to support youth-focused work in Tasmania within one year. This could mean expanding an existing program, launching a new initiative, purchasing much-needed equipment, or delivering vital services.

Do they have to report back?

Yes. To ensure the funds create the intended positive impact, the winning organisation must provide a satisfactory project acquittal report no later than 30 June 2027.

Additional questions?

If you have any trouble nominating, voting, or just have a question about the award please reach out to the MyState Foundation team at foundation@mystate.com.au