The Buderim Foundation awarded a record amount of more than $75,000 in grants to 23 community-based organisations today, as part of its biggest ever Community Grants Celebration.
During a lively spring afternoon filled with community spirit, the popular philanthropy group announced the grants from the grassy lawn of the Buderim Village Park located on the corner of Gloucester Road and King Street.
Buderim Foundation Grants Committee Chair Lisa Edward said this year’s Community Grants Celebration marks not only largest total amount of annual funding ever awarded by the Foundation, but the largest number of recipients.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to award a total of $75,605 to community groups here today, in what is the 11th year of the Community Grants Program,” Ms Edward said.
“Our very first round of grants were delivered in 2008 and totalled $16,000 and since then, along with todays funds, the Foundation has been able to award nearly half a million dollars in Community Grants to groups in the Buderim area.
“These funds will make a big difference to the lives of many in our community by funding various programs, enabling the purchase of much-needed and in some cases life-saving equipment or financing vital upgrades to infrastructure.”
Some of the recipients among the 23 grants awarded this year include the unique children’s reading initiative Story Dogs who will use the funds to upgrade their picture-book library; the Beautiful You Program, awarded $4,700 for a Health and Wellbeing program for cancer sufferers; The Compass Institute, which has been awarded $8,000 to run a Beach Safety and Awareness program for all trainees; and the Buderim branch of the Scouts Association of Australia who will use their grant to make necessary repairs to the Buderim Scout Den.
A full list of recipients is over the page.
The Buderim Foundation Grants Program is open to not-for-profit community-based organisations that provide services and support for residents in the 4556 postcode.
Grants are awarded to projects relating to eight areas of interest including those which seek to strengthen the fabric of the community, help residents live healthy and fulfilling lives and protect and preserve our natural environment.
The Buderim Foundation consider the Community Grants Celebration the most important day on the Foundations calendar and this year provided complimentary cupcakes and a free sausage sizzle.
FULL LIST OF 2018 BUDERIM FOUNDATION COMMUNITY GRANT RECIPIENTS:
Australian Volunteer Coastguard: $2,535 for a Resusci Anne QCPR Full Body Trolley Suit Mannequin
Beautiful You Program: $4,700 for a Beautiful You Cancer Charity Health and Wellbeing Program
Buderim Community Kindy: $1,000 for a new sensor light for the front gate and carpark area
Buderim Historical Society: $2,800 for secure storage for historical records
Buderim Male Choir: $1,185 PA sound system and recording platform
Buderim Theatre Company Incorporated (BATS): $1,000 for an overlocker to alter costumes
Buderim United Churches Soccer Club Inc. $1,500 for equipment including mobile goals, marquee, players jerseys and bibs, and a leafblower
BWMCA: $2,200 for a new hall sign board
Chancellor State College P&C Association: $2,500 for a dedicated order processing computer
Goodlife Community Swim Club: $2,300 to set up Club Nights
Headland Golf Club: $2,000 for SWING (Starting Women In Golf) to increase female participation in golf
Hot Ginger Chorus Incorporated: $1,292 for a fifties themed concert
Life Flight Foundation: $8,967 for a hydraulic patient heli-trolley
Maroochydore SES Auxillary: $2,786 for response and training equipement
Saint Mark’s Anglican Church: $2,300 for an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Stone SeeSaw: $2,000 for tools and equipment for the Home Heroes Program
Story Dogs Ltd: $675 for the purchase of 45 new children’s picture books
The Buderim-Palmwoods Heritage Tramway Incorp: $7,957 for the design and printing of the book Timber – Trains – Turmoil
The Carers Foundation Holding Ltd: $3,000 for the provision of health renewal programs for unpaid family carers from 13 years old
The Compass Institute: $8,000 for a Beach Safety and Awareness Program
The Legacy Club of Brisbane Limited: $2,000 for the Legacy Sunshine Coast Remembrance Day Concert
The Scouts Association of Australia Queensland Branch Inc – Buderim Scout Group: $9,928 for necessary repairs and maintenance to the Buderim Scout Den
Wishlist – Sunshine Coast Health Foundation: $2,980 for an ambulatory care room/comfort suite