On the Mornington Peninsula, people live side by side, but worlds apart. The Mornington Peninsula Foundation is a public benevolent fund established in February 2017 with a mission to assist people to break the cycle of disadvantage on the Mornington Peninsula. We focus on education as the starting point for change. We support continuous, evidence-based learning pathways from preschool to secondary, in two main areas, Western Port and the Southern Peninsula. Education: MPF supports schools to transition to evidence-based practices and connect with support services in integrated local networks. This ensures all children and young people meet benchmark milestones from preschool to secondary, giving them the opportunity to complete school with knowledge and networks to excel in life. Community Services: MPF works with local agencies to better understand what’s working and where the gaps are when it comes to supporting people in need. We then use this valuable information to advocate for positive change with the support of our strategic network. Approach: We listen to people close to the issues. We learn from their lived experience how systems are failing. Then we co-design solutions to trial and test. When a program works we grow it, if it’s not working we stop and keep learning. For example, our early work with schools and preschools on oral language has led to major reform in teaching literacy at several schools. Donor Visits: We bring people interested in supporting our work together with those who are doing it, breaking down barriers and sparking ideas. Amazing outcomes happen when people feel connected and empowered.