The Buderim Foundation awarded a record amount of $82,485 to be shared by 19 community-based organisations today, as part of its biggest ever Community Grants Celebration.

Buderim Foundation 2019 grants

During a lively spring afternoon in the garden between the Buderim Memorial Hall and Craft Cottage filled with community spirit, the popular philanthropy group announced the grants  to the community organisations which provide services and support for residents in the 4556 post code.

Buderim Foundation Grant Committee Chair, Rebecca Ramsay said the event is the most important day on the Foundation’s calendar and continues to grow each year.

“This year that is particularly important because our theme is Growing our Community. To celebrate this, everyone attending has had the opportunity to plant their own seedling so they can take it home to water and nurture and be rewarded when their plant grows.

“This is much like the concept for the Buderim Foundation where donations and bequests are received – money in, then carefully invested – money managed, with the income from the investments then distributed as grants to organisations supporting the 4556 community – money out,” Rebecca said.

This year is the 12^th year grants have been distributed, with 159 grants worth $541,928 awarded to almost 100 community organisations supporting the 4556 post code area since 2008.

“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 this year’s recipients include $10,000 to Fusion Sunshine Coast for their mobile youth drop-in hub, $6,050 to the Compass Institute for a new outdoor dining and recreation area at their farm as well as $9,349 to Buderim Guides to repair stairs and purchase camping equipment.

Funding awarded this year will go towards a range of different projects including painting, repairs, renovation, fencing and security for community buildings and facilities, equipment from communications heads sets through to an automated external defibrillator, sheet music, a generator, camping equipment and more. Scroll down to see the full list of recipients.

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 seeds to plant and take home and a free sausage sizzle.

For more information on the Buderim Foundation, please visit the new website – www.buderimfoundation.org.au.

FULL LIST OF 2019 BUDERIM FOUNDATION COMMUNITY GRANT RECIPIENTS:

• Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Assoc Inc – QF6 Mooloolaba – $ 2,760 for an automated external defibrillator
• Buderim Amateur Theatre Company Inc (BATS) – $ 2,120 for headsets to improve communications
• Buderim Craft Cottage Association Inc – $ 3,000 for renovation of main workroom kitchen
• Buderim Cricket Club – $ 1,252 for clubhouse painting
• Buderim Guides – $ 9,349 to repair stairs and to purchase camping equipment
• Buderim Kindergarten – $ 1,525 for a new refrigerator
• Buderim Men’s Shed – $ 4,300 for security systems
• Buderim Pony Club – $ 2,000 to replace perimeter fences
• Buderim Uniting Church – $ 1,000 for outdoor play equipment
• Connect Community Plus Kids Inc – $ 9,000 for a software program to assist mentoring
• Fusion Australia Sunshine Coast – $ 10,000 for a mobile youth drop-in hub
• Headland Buderim Croquet Club – $ 4,685 for kitchen modifications and renovation
• LifeFlight Foundation – $ 8,872 for a generator for use during power outages
• Maroochydore State Emergency Service – $ 1,200 for a ladder loader to move equipment on response vehicles
• Oriana Arts Inc – $ 750 for sheet music of Australian Bush Songs
• Sunshine Coast Archery Club Inc – $ 3,000 for an electrical upgrade to the hall
• Sunshine FM Radio Association Incorporated – $ 7,604 for a technology upgrade
• The Compass Institute – $ 6,050 for a new outdoor dining and recreation area at their farm
• Wishlist – Sunshine Coast Health Foundation – $ 4,000 for BreastScreen Queensland lighting and sensory distraction suites