The Mparntwe Alice Springs Community Foundation emerged from a concern that ‘community’ in our town was being eroded, that our hope for a strong and shared future was being lost. Changing demographics and the structure of the workforce (with greater numbers of short-term workers), the impacts of COVID, and a changing and challenged economy are all contributors. 

The negative impacts of the loss of our local newspaper was the catalyst for action.  Local newspapers are the lifeblood of regional communities. Securing a local newspaper for Mparntwe Alice Springs was our formative project, that drew locals together to ‘build a stronger community with a shared future’.

That ‘why’ – that driving purpose – has not changed, but the vision to grow community-led, driven and funded action to create the future we want for our town and community continues to expand.

Governments can’t solve the challenges we face.  They can help, but members of our community need to take responsibility for our own future rather than always looking for someone else to fix things.  It can’t always be someone else’s fault or responsibility. Worldwide, community members are stepping up, stepping out and leaning in to create the community they need for a shared future, including Mparntwe Alice Springs.