About PilchConnect
PilchConnect is a specialist legal service set up by PILCH (a Victorian community legal centre) to provide free and low-cost legal assistance to not-for-profit community organisations.
PilchConnect ‘helps the helpers' by providing legal information, advice and training to not-for-profit community organisations. In doing this, we help organisations focus their time and energy on achieving their mission - whether that's supporting vulnerable people, delivering community services, enhancing diversity or bringing people together to pursue a common interest or cause.
Why was PilchConnect started?
The legal issues that affect the not-for-profit sector are unique and often complex - and many community organisations rely heavily on volunteers, have limited resources, and cannot afford to pay for legal advice.
In 2008, we set up PilchConnect because we recognised the need for these not-for-profit community organisations to have access to free and low-cost legal help that specifically addresses their needs.
The economic value of PilchConnect's contribution has been confirmed by an independent evaluation by Deloitte Access Economics (2011).
Who supports PilchConnect?
PilchConnect receives funding from philanthropic institutions and government grants. We would not be able to assist not-for-profit community organisations without the pro bono assistance we receive from PILCH members. We also work in collaboration with academic institutions and not-for-profit sector peak bodies.
Find out more about our partners and supporters.
Who are the staff at PilchConnect?
Find out more about PilchConnect staff members.
Learn about how we help
Stephanie Tonkin training the Chinese Young Mothers' Group
Chinese Young Mothers' Group
When Ewinia Huang arrived in Australia as a young mother from China, she was "very stressed and helpless". Ewinia's experience of the positive impact of community help inspired her to start up a monthly meeting of a small group of Chinese mothers.
The group quickly began to grow, and became known as the Chinese Young Mothers' Group. By 2012, 30 regular members attended the monthly meetings, based out of the Collingwood Neighbourhood Justice Centre. Read More.
Cake Angels volunteers and their cake
The Australian Cake Angels Network
The Australian Cake Angels Network was created when a group of bakers decided they wanted to donate special cakes to special children and organisations. With the help of PilchConnect, the group was able to incorporate and now donates cakes across Australia to make special occasions even more special for sick children and their families. Read more