The grants were provided as part of the Making A Difference (MAD) Youth program to organisations that support young people with disabilities.

Foundation chief executive Dian Ball said the grants would fund a number of key community programs.

“I felt it was important to run this granting round because the Foundation hadn’t supported disability groups for some time,” she said.

MAD Youth grants co-ordinator Emma Brown said the funding had come from fundraising at the Highlands Harvest Hunt at Easter.

“The granting rounds conducted by the Southern Highlands Foundation are due to the generosity of the community,” she said.

Four projects were awarded grants across a range of areas.

The NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care received funding in a joint venture with the Tangara School to develop and implement a sensory room at the school.

Community group Interchange Wingecarribee will produce a film documenting the build up to the second Rockability concert next year.

Industry professionals will tutor participants in aspects of filmmaking and music event management.

The Southern Highlands Crossroads program, a social group for people with a disability, will also undertake a cooking program with young members who will learn cooking skills to help assist them with independent living.

The Highlands School received funding to continue their photography program, with the money given used to purchase a second camera and assisting students to develop professional portfolios.

Ms Ball said the grants were the second round of funding provided to community projects with money raised at the Highlands Harvest Hunt.