How Morris Children’s Fund turned targeted grantseeking into $3 million in impact

For Morris Children’s Fund Inc, grantseeking isn’t just a box to tick, it’s a carefully honed strategy that has helped them deliver more than $3.1 million in services and equipment to children with complex disabilities across southern and western Sydney.

When Garry Morris OAM first set up the St George Children with Disabilities Fund, he did so after years of volunteering and a growing awareness that children with severe and multiple disabilities - and their families - were often missing out on the support they needed.

In 2021, the organisation changed its name to Morris Children’s Fund Inc, a move that reflected both its broader geographic reach and Garry’s enduring commitment to the cause. Today, the entirely volunteer-run charity works across the St George area, the Sutherland Shire and Western Sydney, funding essential equipment, therapies and programs for individuals as well as Schools for Specific Purposes and Hospital Schools.

Among the programs supported are:

• Music therapy

• Social skills and sport development

• The Eye Gaze Edge program, helping non-verbal children communicate

These interventions have made a tangible difference, opening up learning, communication and play opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach for many families.

Strategy over scattergun: a focused approach to funding

In 2025 alone, Morris Children’s Fund submitted 31 grant applications and secured 24 successful outcomes, a remarkable result for a small organisation. Garry puts their success down to precision over volume.

“Choose the grant carefully and do not be greedy,” he advises. “Look at the overall amount available.”

Rather than chasing every dollar, the team uses the Funding Centre to zero in on grants that align with their specific mission. “It enables us to consider grants available and choose the ones that fully support your requirements,” Garry says.

To make the process manageable, the team often prints listings from the Funding Centre to review offline, shortlisting those that closely match their funding goals before committing time to writing a submission.

“The grants are clear to follow when you find one,” Garry says, adding that this clarity makes a big difference for volunteer-led groups trying to juggle multiple demands.

Making your story stick

One of the biggest challenges, Garry says, is convincing funders of the organisation’s impact, particularly without paid staff or slick marketing campaigns.

“Wherever possible, show people what you are doing – get them along to openings and presentations.”

By inviting funders to see their work in action, the Fund builds relationships and credibility that help strengthen future applications. It’s a lesson many small charities can learn from: make the impact visible, not just measurable.

A community milestone and what’s next

Looking ahead, the Fund remains focused on local engagement and sustainable fundraising. One of its major events, the 21st Annual Golf Day, is set for:

📅 Friday March 20

📍 Brighton Lakes Golf Course, Moorebank NSW

Now in its third decade, the event brings together local supporters, funders and families to raise funds and celebrate community connections.

Grantseeking made simpler

For Morris Children’s Fund, the Funding Centre plays a key role in making grantseeking more strategic and less stressful.

“It cuts through the noise,” Garry says. “You can focus on what’s really going to work for you.”

Their experience is a powerful reminder that even small, volunteer-run groups can achieve big outcomes with the right tools and a thoughtful approach.

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At the Funding Centre, we’re building a community of practical grantseekers who are making change happen. Throughout 2026, we’ll share monthly case studies like this one to spotlight what works in the real world.

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