$50,000 Gift Boosts Buderim Foundation Funds - July 24, 2007

An anonymous donation of $50,000 this week has boosted the funds of the Buderim Foundation to nearly a quarter of a million dollars.

Announcing the cash donation, the Foundation's Chairman, Mr Gary Hopkins, said this was the largest single donation the Foundation had yet received. "We are extremely grateful to the donor," he said.

Other donations of $5,000, $10,000 and $20,000, as well as a number of donations of between $100 and $1,000, had also been received recently.

"All these donations are very much appreciated. They are a clear indication that the Foundation is gaining momentum and that it has attracted widespread interest in the community," said Mr Hopkins.

The Buderim Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit, philanthropic organisation, was established by the Buderim War Memorial Community Association in 2003 to attract donations from individuals, including bequests and tax deductible donations. "The Foundation will accept not only cash but gifts of property, life insurance, jewellery or artwork - anything of value," said Mr. Hopkins.

He said the Foundation sought to attract funding not only from individuals but also from organizations, public and private.

"Many residents enjoy the very special sense of belonging to Buderim and want Buderim to be an even better place in which to live. Their donations to the Foundation will help achieve this goal," said Mr Hopkins.

Money is invested forever. When the fund reaches a substantial total, the Foundation will make grants from the income to local not-for-profit organizations that add to Buderim's quality of life.

"We plan to make the first grants next year," said Mr Hopkins. "Before that, we will announce how local organizations can make an application for a grant."

Projects getting grants from the Foundation, he said, might include key social, environmental, educational, health, sporting, recreational and cultural activities.

"From reaction in the community to the establishment of the Foundation, we believe many people are welcoming the opportunity to donate to this growing source of funding for community benefit," said Mr Hopkins.

"The Foundation's focus is on the future and the kind of community we want to create. It provides the vehicle through which interested Buderim residents can leave their mark permanently on the community in which they have lived."

Read the story as it appeared in the Buderim Chronicle - August 10 2007.