Our Purpose

• To encourage 'Wayward Women' to become micro-philanthropists and use the power of collective giving to raise and distribute much-needed funds for non-profit Australian organisations and projects.

• To build a strong, vibrant and collaborative giving circle community that endeavours to create significant and positive change in the world. 
  

• To empower our members by giving them a choice regarding their contribution and where it should be invested. 
  

•  To create an affordable membership structure that is accessible to women from all financial backgrounds. 

• To encourage diversity and invite women from different backgrounds and with different life experiences to become members. 

• To support community-focused organisations and projects that may not be eligible to receive funding from mainstream funding bodies. 

Our Goals

Wayward Woman Giving Fund (WWGF) raises funds that are distributed to Australian non-profit organisations and projects that have a strong focus on Community Arts and Cultural Development (CACD).

CACD involves artists working collaboratively with communities for the purpose of social change through art and culture. 

Principles that guide Community Arts and Cultural Development and the various practitioners who undertake this type of work include:

1. The activity involves the creation of artwork by with and for the community.

2. Development is a primary objective of the initiative.

3. The activity is socially inclusive.

4. The activity is community centred and collaborative.

5. The activity involves the engagement of highly skilled arts and culture practitioners.

Learn more about CACD and CACD Principles

Our History

Melbourne-based Artiste Melynda von Wayward (The Wayward Woman) is the driving force behind the Wayward Woman Giving Fund (WWGF). 

For many years Melynda has wanted to be a philanthropist and make meaningful change in the world, so she began to investigate the idea of micro-philanthropy and discovered the concept of the ‘Giving Circle’ – an accessible way for individuals to join together by pooling smaller amounts of financial resources to fund social change and make a substantial cumulative impact in their community. 

The idea of collective giving truly excited Melynda and WWGF was officially created in 2023. 

Wayward Woman Giving Fund WWFG) is a subsidiary of the Society of Australian Punk Inc. (SOAP). 

SOAP is an incorporated association and is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). . 

Our People

Melynda von Wayward - WWGF Founder - Melynda has over 20 years experience in the arts industry in many different capacities. She is passionate about the positive, and often therapeutic results, that can come from the arts and the community coming together to work on a creative project

Elizabeth Reale - Elizabeth is a librarian, back-up-singer in pop-punk band The Peptides and co-creator of the one-of-a-kind graphic novel titled Piranhas in Love, written by Elizabeth Reale and illustrated by the great Fred Negro . This graphic novel was officially launched in 2017 at the exhibition titled St Kilda’s Alright - The Fred Negro Experience.

Kat Rae  - Kat is an emerging artist who is completing her Honours in print-informed fine art at RMIT, Naarm. Kat served in the Australian Army for 20 years before deciding to become a full-time artist in 2019, and her work explores how place, memory and experience layer and mesh, and who/what is forgotten after the war.

Marina Perkovich - Marina is a visual artist, ex-social worker and stalwart of the 1980s Melbourne punk scene, as well as being a fabulously stylish lady.