The Fortitude Foundation

The Fortitude Foundation was established by current director, Paul Cox, in 2004 and was energised by a major donation in 2008 as a result of work undertaken by Gita Bellin with business leaders to transform mindsets and behaviours, which resulted in improved corporate performance and more joyful ways of being.

The Fortitude Foundation’s intention is to build self-esteem and self-worth amongst the underprivileged so that they can take back control of their lives and become leaders in their own communities.  The Foundation has had as its focus to particularly assist women and children in need.

The current directors are: Karen Muller (Chair), Gita Bellin, Greg O’Meara and Paul van de Griendt.

Over the past six years The Foundation has been donating funds to The Hunger Project in order to help women and children in under privileged communities in Bangladesh, India and Africa. Please find more information about The Hunger Project below.

Youth Focus is an independent West Australian not-for-profit working to stop youth suicide. Youth Focus works with young people aged 12-25 to help them overcome issues associated with depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal thoughts through the provision of free, unlimited and professional face-to-face individual and family counselling and other mental health services.

Ready to Work, Now Dress For Success started as a not-for-profit organisation that helps disadvantaged Western Australian women during their quest to gain – and maintain – meaningful employment and take the first steps towards financial independence and a better life.

The Fathering Project is a University of Western Australia-based not-for-profit charity led by a team of professionals that aims to help fathers realise how important they are in a child’s life and to give them advice on how to encourage their children.

Yipirinya School caters for Indigenous students as it offers a two-way (bilingual and bicultural) education helping to keep Indigenous culture alive. It teaches literacy and numeracy and western skills following the Northern Territory/National Curriculum framework, and also teaches Indigenous languages and culture.

Should you wish to read more about the Charities above, please click on the name to go their website.

This page will be continually updated as to the work the Foundation is supporting through 2017.

Should you wish to read more extensive information about the impact of the Hunger Project, you may find the Annual Report here. Cathy Burke, the former CEO of The Hunger Project speaks to Gita Bellin about the support of the Fortitude Foundation in this video, please click here should you wish to watch it.