The initiative for establishing the Buderim Foundation started within the Buderim War Memorial Association (BWMCA) in 2001. The planning and establishment phase took approximately 18 months and was funded by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) - a government organisation established to strengthen rural and regional communities. A Board of nine directors work in a voluntary capacity.
Since its launch in 2004 the Buderim Foundation has achieved what it set out to do. It has raised community awareness, received donations, invested the funds and used the interest to provide grants annually to community organisations.
The following is an annual record of the Foundation's achievements:
2013
In February, the Foundation distributed 200 Back to School vouchers worth $10,000 to assist local families with school related expenses.
2012
The B150 Community Challenge ... 2012 was the year of Buderim’s 150th anniversary celebrations. The focus was firmly on Buderim … celebrating what makes the town special. It was clearly a good year to challenge ourselves. So as a community, we went for the big challenge. We endeavoured to double the amount of money held in the Buderim Foundation Fund from $500,000, raised over the previous eight years, to $1million… in one year! We managed to raise the corpus to $720,000.
In February, the Foundation once again distributed 150 Back to School vouchers valued at $7,500 to local families in need.
2011
In January a record number of Ambassadors participating in the Australia Day march, and 125 x Back to School vouchers worth $6,250 were distributed to families requiring assistance with school expenses.
In February, the Foundation appointed its first part-time employee thanks to a grant from FRRR, and the Board focussed on finalising a new strategic plan. Throughout the year the Board and many of the committees developed a major fundraising campaign to be run in conjunction with the Buderim B150 celebrations being organised by the BWMCA.
In July another very successful fundraising breakfast was held, this time with Australian of the Year, Simon McKeon who himself became a Buderim Foundation Ambassador.
In September eight community organisations received grants worth a record $22,010 and for the first time Youth in Philanthropy Program (YIPP) grants totalling $12,000 were awarded.
By the end of 2011, approximately $460,000 had been raised and grants worth over $65,000 had been provided to 21 community organisations throughout the 4556 postcode district.
2010
In February Back to School Vouchers 150 vouchers worth $7,500 were distributed to schools and charities for families requiring assistance with their children’s back-to-school expenses.
The Buderim Foundation had a new Chair. Professor Paul Clark was appointed to the position vacated by Buderim solicitor, Gary Hopkins.
In April the first Youth event was held. 'Buderim Unplugged gave YIPP members the opportunity to organise and coordinate their own exciting musical event.
In 2011 the Buderim Foundation provided YIPP grant funding of $9,000 (over three years) to Fusion Sunshine Coast for the delivery of the youth programs outlined in the youth-led planning process. In June the Foundation organised the first Mystery Mountain Dinner.
At the Good News Night in September six organisations received a total of $17,500 in grants.
2009
In January 2009 corporate sponsorships were renewed. Three organisations agreed to provide $8,000 each in cash or kind to be used for administration and communication purposes.
February saw the Foundation distribute 150 Back to School vouchers worth $7,500 to local families.
In April the Foundation was one of 15 community foundations across Australia to secure a grant of $30,000 from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).
In June the Foundation's involvement in Buderim’s Big Bash (part of Queensland’s Q150 celebrations) was the ideal opportunity to launch the Gifts in Memory Program. This program enables donors to celebrate the memory of family members and friends. As a result eleven stories of former Buderim residents from all walks of life were published on the website.
In July twelve grant applications were received and seven grants worth $16,500 were awarded at the 2009 Good News Night in September. The findings of the Youth in Philanthropy Project (YIPP) were also presented at the 2009 Good News Night.
2008
At the start of the school year the Foundation received an increase in its allocation of Back to School vouchers. The $12,500 received from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) was once again distributed in the form of 250 x $50 vouchers to families in the 4556 area.
In March, FRRR offered the Foundation up to $20,000 for youth projects in Buderim on the condition that the Foundation matched the offer dollar for dollar. The community rose to the challenge and eight generous Buderim philanthropists provided the necessary $20,000.
In May the Ambassador Program was established with 130 ambassadors joining the Foundation family. The aim was to build on-going community awareness of the Foundation. That same month 150 people attended a fundraising Breakfast with internationally renowned author, presenter and Buderim resident, Allan Pease. Again, a very enjoyable event with breakfast catered for by Friends of Buderim.
In May the first Community Grants Program was launched and, at the Foundation's first Good News Night in September, three community organisations received grants worth $13,752.
2007
In January 2007 the Foundation was selected to assist in the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) Back to School Program for the first time. This involved distributing $5,000 worth of $50 vouchers to families struggling with school costs at the start of the year.
In February the Foundation established an office within the Buderim Historical precinct.
In May, the first fundraising breakfast was held. One hundred and forty people enjoyed listening to the insights of the then Governor of Queensland Quentin Bryce, AC, CVO. Breakfast was catered for by the Friends of Buderim.
In July, an anonymous donation of $50,000 boosted the funds to nearly a quarter of a million dollars. And in November, three new directors were appointed to the Board.
2006
In January 2006, the Buderim Foundation participated in the Buderim Australia Day parade for the first time. In that same month three corporate organisations each signed a three year, $5,000 sponsorship agreement designed to cover the Foundation's administration costs. The fledgling Buderim Foundation was developing.
In February the website was established, burgundy-coloured car stickers promoting the Foundation appeared on cars and letterboxes, and a Community Ideas Forum was held to generate ideas for fund development.
Funds were also starting to flow. In March the Foundation received its first share donation of $4,400 and in May its first bequest of more than $38,000. This generous philanthropic boost brought the Foundation's funds to more than $100,000.
In August 2006, the Buderim Foundation hosted the National Community Foundations Regional Forum in Mooloolaba.
2005
In July 2005, the Foundation received funds from the Buderim War Memorial Community Association (BWMCA) and established a special sub-fund into which potential BWMCA benefactors can elect to direct donations. The sub-fund ensures all income derived from those donations is channelled back to the Association annually.
In the same month the Foundation held its first tax-deductibility seminar for local non-profit organisations.
2004
In January 2004, the Buderim Foundation received its first major donation of $20,000 and in April, the former Governor of Queensland and current Governor General of Australia, Quentin Bryce, AC, CVO, formally launched the Foundation. Following the launch she joined Buderim Mountain State School children to plant the Foundation tree in Main Street.
In November the Directors attended their first National Community Foundation Regional Forum and in December the Foundation held its first Moonlit Garden Gathering – the first of many very successful social evenings held in beautiful Buderim gardens.
2003
The Foundation was registered as a philanthropic not-for-profit organisation under the Commonwealth Corporations Act.
