Our Purpose

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

• To fund Victorian (Australia) projects and programs that have a strong focus on creating social change through art and culture and are community focused.  

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

Our Goals

• 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. 

Our History

For many years Melbourne-based artiste Melynda von Wayward 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). 

Our People

Melynda von Wayward - WWGF Founder

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

Melynda is a singer/songwriter, visual artist, writer, creative producer and subculture historian who has over 20 years experience in the arts industry in many different capacities.

Melynda holds a Bachelor of Dramatic arts and Graduate Diploma in Arts Management and Creative art Therapy. She is passionate about the powerful, positive, and often therapeutic results, that can come from creativity and the community coming together to work collaboratively to create social change.