For more than 40 years, Australian Multicultural Community Services (AMCS) has been a lifeline for migrant and newly arrived communities across Victoria. With a mission rooted in care, support and empowerment, AMCS continues to evolve to meet the needs of multicultural communities – and now, it’s building for the future.
Founded by post-World War II Polish Migrants in 1983, AMCS has grown into a major provider of services for seniors, carers, and adult learners. “Today, we are proud to support approximately 5,500 clients every year, representing 77 countries and languages from across the globe,” explains CEO Maryanne Tadic.
But as funding cycles shift and community needs grow more complex, AMCS has turned its focus to long-term sustainability.
To support this vision, AMCS has leveraged Australian Communities Foundation’s Future Fund model – a philanthropic endowment designed to help not-for-profits build long-term financial resilience.
Since 2015, the organisation has used two Funds for different purposes – one to support the organisation’s ongoing work, and another dedicated to a major infrastructure project: the redevelopment of Millennium House in Melbourne’s west.
The Millennium House Future Fund played a pivotal role in helping AMCS restore the centre – a $7 million upgrade that transformed a historic building into a vibrant hub for multicultural services and events.
Originally built by the Polish community in the 1960s and gifted to AMCS in 2017, Millennium House has long been a cornerstone of Western Melbourne’s migrant history.
After seven years of planning and building, the centre officially reopened in November 2024, with state-of-the-art facilities and multipurpose spaces now available to the community.
“Millennium House brings to life a beautiful example of the many benefits we know migration brings to Australia, and will serve as a legacy for generations to come,” says Maryanne.
With the Millennium House Future Fund now closed following the project’s completion, AMCS continues to grow its general Future Fund to support its broader mission. The Fund provides flexibility and peace of mind, allowing the organisation to navigate transitions and invest in long-term impact.
“Not-for-profit organisations are essentially for-purpose businesses,” explains Maryanne. “We are often working with fixed or limited revenue sources, tight overhead margins, and complex compliance and regulatory requirements. Now more than ever, we need to plan astutely for our ongoing financial flexibility.”
Now more than ever, we need to plan astutely for our ongoing financial flexibility
Looking ahead, AMCS plans to use its Future Fund to continue supporting its work with multicultural communities, including refugees and asylum seekers. It’s a model of resilience that ensures AMCS can keep delivering for decades to come.
“We’re excited to continue expanding our service offerings,” says Maryanne, “and supporting more clients and communities than ever before.”
Learn more and get involved
Support the AMCS Future Fund | Learn more about AMCS
Learn more about how we help not-for-profits build long-term sustainability in our NFP Resilience Report.
