Earlier this month, Melbourne Community Foundation, an independent not-for-profit organisation, released a study - MacroMelbourne, a Social and Economic Disadvantage in Melbourne - that looked at the major challenges facing the state in the next 20 years.

It found that there was an urgent need for more philanthropic projects to help curb major problems such as poverty, a lack of housing, and other areas.

The three projects are based in Casey and Cardinia.

MCF chief executive Sarah Davies said the report was aimed at highlighting areas that needed urgent government and community investment.

"Melburnians need to know their city and communities are safe, inclusive, affordable, tolerant and sustainable places to live. The only way we can achieve this is by closing the gap between the 'haves' and 'have-nots' - which has widened significantly in the past decade - and by encouraging governments and communities to invest in projects that assist struggling communities from the ground up."

The first project is an expansion of Photography On The Move, a progam offering educational support for children with a physical or intellectual disability.

The second project, Building Harmony on New Housing Estates, is a preventive program to help migrant and refugee families settling in Cardinia.

Windermere CEO Cheryl DeZilwa said many disadvantaged migrants and refugees experienced difficulties trying to settle in mainstream growth areas.

"These children and young people are at risk for many reasons, including limited opportunities to participate in community life, lack of engagement due to a diversity of religious and cultural backgrounds, disassociation from previous formal and informal networks and a lack of a sense of belonging."

The third program, Screen Stories and Community Connections, will investigate the benefits of providing low-cost computing and internet access in housing estates as a way of reducing inequity and marginalisation. The study will be conducted in the Cardinia Road residential and business precinct.

For details, visit www.melbournecf.org.au