Thompson Charitable Fund | Buderim Foundation

Buderim FoundationThompson Fund Donation

Vital food relief for Coast families through Christmas & beyond

Published on: 14 December 2023Category: Thompson Charitable Fund

Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund grant to provide vital food relief for Coast families through Christmas & beyond

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund is pleased to announce a new $101,500 grant to Gateway Care to provide vital food vouchers for vulnerable people through the festive season and into 2024.

Buderim Foundation Chair Rod McKinnon said Gateway Care Limited is a not-for-profit organisation providing food, clothing and essential goods for Centrelink registered clients through their Food Distribution Centre at Caloundra.

“Cost-of-living and inflation are creating more challenges for everyone, and those most affected are the most vulnerable in our community so the Buderim Foundation is pleased to be able to work with organisations providing real relief for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness,” Rod McKinnon said.

Gateway Care Chair Lani Refiti said the Gateway Care Food Centre is a non-denominational community organisation run entirely by volunteers.

“We currently spend approximately $15,000 per week on food items, ensuring that families in need have access to vital nourishment, and over 50% of these purchases are freely delivered to Sunshine Coast families experiencing financial difficulties.

Mr Refiti said Gateway Care supports approximately 300 welfare recipient families daily, with approximately 20% of them facing severe financial crisis.

“With the lead in to Christmas, there are even more pressures on families so we are very grateful to the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund for this new grant to help us support more families, not just during the festive season but beyond.

“The assistance we provide is often the difference between survival and despair for these vulnerable families, and this grant will enable us to support the growing number of families during the current cost of living crisis” Mr Refiti said.

The Buderim Foundation has been the Trustee for the Thompson Charitable Fund since April 2021. Over the past two years, a rolling grants program to multiple grant recipients has provided over $610,000 to support people experiencing homelessness and financial distress on the Sunshine Coast.

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation which harnesses the power of giving by generating income from donations and bequests and providing grants for worthwhile community projects. In addition to the Thompson Charitable Fund, the Buderim Foundation runs a separate community grants program supporting projects benefiting the local Buderim area.

To find out more about the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund visit buderimfoundation.org.au/grants/the-buderim-foundation-thompson-fund/. For more information about Gateway Care Food Centre, visit gatewaycare.org.au and for more information about the Buderim Foundation visit buderimfoundation.org.au

Written by: Michelle Smytheman – [email protected]
Photo by: Ross Eason

David Wood, Ian and Leanne Harrison, Kent and Dessi Roberts, Rod McKinnon copy

$50,000 grant to Aus Living Support assisting 200 vulnerable Coast families

Published on: 11 December 2023Category: Thompson Charitable Fund

Aus Living Support to assist 200 vulnerable Coast families thanks to $50,000 grant from the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund is pleased to announce a new $50,000 grant to Aus Living Support Ltd to assist vulnerable Sunshine Coast residents find more permanent housing.

Buderim Foundation Chair Rod McKinnon said Aus Living Support Ltd is a Sunshine Coast charity supporting the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless by helping with rent relief.

“Housing affordability and the cost-of-living are issues affecting more and more people in our community and the Buderim Foundation is pleased to be able to work with organisations providing real relief for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness,” Rod McKinnon said.

Aus Living Support Ltd CEO Ian Harrison said the $50,000 grant would assist 200 families on the Sunshine Coast over about a year.

Mr Harrison said Aus Living Support started in 2019 and operated two Op Shops – in Maroochydore and Nambour – with the funds raised together with grants providing a rental supplement scheme.

“We provide up to $200 a week of rental or mortgage support for families for an initial period of up to three months,” Mr Harrison said.

He said clients were often single mothers, some reestablishing themselves and their children after escaping domestic violence, often away from the support of families and friends, who were facing multiple challenges.

“This rental support gives our clients a chance to breathe, regroup and gain the courage to face the challenges so they can again support themselves and their children.

Mr Harrison said through the applications received by Aus Living, they could see that the average rent for a small home on the Sunshine Coast had increased to about $700 a week.

“This means that for those surviving on government support and a casual job, often there just isn’t enough money to cover housing as well as food, and other living expenses, and without a stable place to live, everything else just becomes almost impossible.

“Our program is designed to provide relief from that pressure, so our clients can work with our partner organisations to get back on their feet.

“We are so grateful for the support of the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund. This is the second grant we have received, and it makes a real difference to us and allows us to support more families in need as they face the next steps to rebuilding their lives.”

The Buderim Foundation has been the Trustee for the Thompson Charitable Fund since April 2021. Over the past two years, a rolling grants program to multiple grant recipients has provided over $510,000 to support people experiencing homelessness and financial distress on the Sunshine Coast.

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation which harnesses the power of giving by generating income from donations and bequests and providing grants for worthwhile community projects. In addition to the Thompson Charitable Fund, the Buderim Foundation runs a separate community grants program supporting projects benefiting the local Buderim area.

To find out more about the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund visit buderimfoundation.org.au/grants/the-buderim-foundation-thompson-fund/. For more information, about Aus Living Support Ltd, visit auslivingsupport.org.au/ and for more information about the Buderim Foundation visit buderimfoundation.org.au.

Written by: Michelle Smytheman [email protected]

$65,800 grant to support vulnerable Sunshine Coast families

Published on: 28 August 2023Category: Thompson Charitable Fund

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund provides a $65,800 grant to support vulnerable Sunshine Coast families

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund is proud to provide a $65,800 grant to SunnyKids to help provide support for vulnerable Sunshine Coast families.

Buderim Foundation chair Rod McKinnon said SunnyKids provides vital support for Sunshine Coast families in need of a helping hand on the Sunshine Coast.

“The Buderim Foundation’s Thompson Charitable Fund is proud to support SunnyKids and the work they do in providing emergency food, accommodation and other support,” Rod McKinnon said.

SunnyKids CEO Kathleen Hope said SunnyKids provides connections and support for vulnerable Sunshine Coast families focusing on providing complex case management, including long-term capacity-building and emotional support.

“We seek to assist families and individuals in some of the worst situations imaginable. Families arrive at SunnyKids hoping to access clothing, medicine, food or things like car registration which in turn allows them to focus less on transportation and more time on other vital family needs like getting the kids to school, doctors’ appointments, and getting to and from work,” Ms Hope said.

“This grant from the Buderim Foundation’s Thompson Charitable Fund is fantastic and will allow us to provide more immediate relief to alleviate economic and housing stresses experienced by our clients.

“Last year, SunnyKids experienced more requests for support than ever before. We were able to help almost 2500 vulnerable individuals within families.

“Unfortunately, our waiting list continues to grow. These funds allow us to provide support to even more families in our pursuit to end hardship right here on the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Hope said.

The Buderim Foundation has been the Trustee for the Thompson Charitable Fund since April 2021. Over the past two years, a rolling grants program has provided over $460,000 to support people experiencing homelessness and financial distress on the Sunshine Coast.

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation which harnesses the power of giving by generating income from donations and bequests and providing grants for worthwhile community projects. In addition to the Thompson Charitable Fund, the Buderim Foundation runs a separate community grants program supporting projects benefiting the local Buderim area.

To find out more about the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund visit buderimfoundation.org.au/grants/the-buderim-foundation-thompson-fund/.
For more information, about SunnyKids, visit sunnykids.org.au/

Written by Michelle Smytheman E:[email protected]

Buderim FoundationThompson Fund Gateway Care Grant

Thompson Charitable Fund provides $100,000 grant for vital food relief for Coast families in crisis

Published on: 4 July 2023Category: Thompson Charitable Fund

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund is proud to provide a $100,000 grant to Gateway Care Food Centre to support their Food Rescue Program.

Buderim Foundation chair Rod McKinnon said Gateway Care Food Centre plays a vital role in providing emergency food relief to families in crisis and those experiencing financial hardship on the Sunshine Coast.

“The Buderim Foundation’s Thompson Charitable Fund is proud to support the Gateway Care Food Centre and their Food Rescue Program,” Rod McKinnon said.

Gateway Care Chair Lani Refiti said the Gateway Care Food Centre is a non-denominational community organisation run entirely by volunteers.

“It currently spends approximately $15,000 per week on food items, ensuring that families in need have access to vital nourishment, and over 50% of these purchases are freely delivered to Sunshine Coast families experiencing financial difficulties.

“Currently, Gateway Care supports approximately 300 welfare recipient families daily, with approximately 20% of them facing severe financial crisis.

“The assistance we provide is often the difference between survival and despair for these vulnerable families, and this grant will enable us to support the growing number of families during the current cost of living crisis” Mr Refiti said.

Gateway clients find the service a huge support. One member, Sharon, who has been going to Gateway for over 10 years, said it was vital.

“When I first became a member, I was experiencing some big emotional and life trauma. I had two young children and no income. Life was challenging. It was nice to have somewhere to come that made me feel ok. If it wasn’t for Gateway, I don’t know how I would have been able to feed my children,” Sharon said.

Mr McKinnon said the grant to Gateway Care represents the type of assistance that the Thompson Charitable Fund seeks to provide to people facing financial hardship and in dire need throughout the Sunshine Coast Region.

The Buderim Foundation has been the Trustee for the Thompson Charitable Fund since April 2021. Over the past two years, a rolling grants program has provided $246,950 to nine organisations to support people experiencing homelessness and financial distress on the Sunshine Coast.

The $100,000 grant will include two payments of $50,000, each across a three-month period. The first payment has already been provided and is already making a difference.

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation which harnesses the power of giving by generating income from donations and bequests and providing grants for worthwhile community projects. In addition to the Thompson Charitable Fund, the Buderim Foundation runs a separate community grants program supporting projects benefiting the local Buderim area.

To find out more about the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund visit:
buderimfoundation.org.au/grants/the-buderim-foundation-thompson-fund/

For more information about Gateway Care Food Centre, visit:
gatewaycare.org.au

Grants available for Sunshine Coast organisations helping those in need

Published on: 5 April 2022Category: Buderim Foundation, Thompson Charitable Fund

Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund grants available for Sunshine Coast organisations helping those in need.

Applications are now open for the 2022 Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund to assist eligible charity organisations who help those in need throughout the Sunshine Coast community.

The Buderim Foundation became the trustee for the Thompson Charitable Trust in 2021 and this will be the second year the Foundation has offered grants from the fund.

Foundation Grants Committee chair, Rebecca Ramsay said Organisations that provide services for those unable to achieve a modest standard of living, were invited to assess their eligibility for the 2022 grants program from 4th April 2022. Buderim Foundation are currently accepting applications for the Thompson Fund Grants and will be assessing these on an ongoing basis.

“In 2021, four organisations providing support to people experiencing homelessness and financial distress due to domestic violence and other circumstance on the Sunshine Coast, were awarded grants totalling $110,000 from the Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund,” Mrs Ramsay said.

The organisations and projects receiving grants in 2021 included:
Youturn Youth Support received funds to fit out two Tiny Houses which will provide affordable living for vulnerable young people, and support for driver’s license costs for four young people.
SunnyKids Sunshine Coast received a grant to provide assistance to 100 individuals at risk of homelessness due to domestic violence and economic instability.
Ozharvest received money to purchase over 16 tonnes of food to support 20 recipient agencies that provide essential meals for people in need.
Lily House received a grant to provide funding for emergency living and school needs and food support for women and their children in crisis.

“The 2021 grants were the first distributed by the Buderim Foundation from the Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund, which was established through a large multi-million-dollar donation by Sunshine Coast philanthropists Roy and Nola Thompson,” Mrs Ramsay said.

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund operates as does the Foundation’s other investments. That is, the investment fund will be preserved in perpetuity with only the revenue being distributed each year.

The grants are open to organisations providing support throughout the Sunshine Coast, including the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Council areas.

Mrs Ramsay said all the information about eligibility, the guidelines and how to apply for this year’s Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund grants round was on the Buderim Foundation website at – https://www.buderimfoundation.org.au/grants/the-buderim-foundation-thompson-fund/

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation that aims to enrich and enhance the quality of life for people who live in the Buderim area. This new Fund will allow it to expand its charitable work to people in need throughout the Sunshine Coast.

Media release written by Michelle Smytheman – Reflected Image E:[email protected] M: 0408 401 198

Inaugural Thompson Fund Grants to support people in need

Published on: 28 June 2021Category: Buderim Foundation, Thompson Charitable Fund

Sunshine Coast organisations receive inaugural Thompson Fund Grants to support people in need.

Four organisations providing support to people experiencing homelessness and financial distress due to domestic violence and other circumstance on the Sunshine Coast, have received grants totalling $110,000 from the Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund.
Youturn Youth Support received funds to fit out two Tiny Houses which will provide affordable living for vulnerable young people, and support for driver’s license costs for four young people.
SunnyKids Sunshine Coast received a grant to provide assistance to 100 individuals at risk of homelessness due to domestic violence and economic instability.
Ozharvest received money to purchase over 16 tonnes of food to support 20 recipient agencies that provide essential meals for people in need.
Lily House received a grant to provide funding for emergency living and school needs and food support for women and their children in crisis.
These grants are the first to be distributed from the newly established Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund which is the result of a large multi-million-dollar donation by Sunshine Coast residents Roy and Nola Thompson.
The Fund will be held in perpetuity and grants from the fund will be distributed annually to organisations in the Sunshine Coast region that support people experiencing homelessness and other challenges due to domestic violence and financial distress.
The Thompsons are passionate about supporting charitable initiatives on the Sunshine Coast and provided their large donation to the Buderim Foundation because of the Foundation’s proven expertise in managing their existing fund and grants program.
“The Buderim Foundation knows what it’s doing and does it well’, according to Mr Thompson.
The Buderim Foundation was established in 2004 and thanks to strong community support has a $2 million fund that has been used to provide grants to community organisations in the 4556 postcode. To date the Foundation has distributed grants worth almost $637,000 to 83 local communities.
Chair of the Buderim Foundation, Dr Russell Stitz said the Thompson Fund would remain separate from the Buderim Community Fund but would be operated in the same way – that is, money in the funds will never be spent and only the revenue raised from investment will be distributed as grants each year.
As a result of strong community support, the Buderim Foundation is now the sixth largest community foundation in Australia.