Grants to keep growing good work

Michele Lipner, the coordinator and founder of OzHarvest Sunshine Coast and Gympie.

Nine Sunshine Coast and Noosa charities will share in almost $139,000 in grants from the state’s largest philanthropic organisation under the latest round of the Queensland Gives Regional Fund program.

The funding builds on the $371,202 going to charities operating within the region through the recently announced Queensland Gives Organisational Capacity Building grants program.

Queensland Gives chief executive officer Tara Castle said every dollar provided to each charity would help create stronger, happier and healthier communities throughout the Sunshine Coast.

“Queensland Gives supports hundreds of different charities throughout the state every year and under our latest Regional Fund round, more than $240,000 in grants will be shared amongst dozens of charities doing incredible work across the state,” Ms Castle said.

“I’m particularly pleased about the broad range of Sunshine Coast organisations that will receive support under this round to keep forging ahead with the great work they do in building stronger, healthier and happier communities.

“The unique structure and purpose of Queensland Gives allows us to be a secure, permanent and perpetual source of funding for charities, which in turn gives them the ongoing security of knowing they can continue to fund their community-focused programs.

“All donations to Queensland Gives – large or small – have longterm benefits for charities throughout the state and all donations over $2 are tax deductible. Donations and bequests are invested, and the dividends are then distributed every year amongst hundreds of worthy charities across the state. In effect, anyone who donates to Queensland Gives is giving to Queenslanders for generations to come.”

This financial year, Queensland Gives will distribute more than $5 million to charity organisations, with its unique model ensuring ongoing and permanent income streams for some of Queensland’s most worthy charities.

Funding will support organisations running health, hospice, child and youth-focused projects on the Sunshine Coast, including:

– Altitude Scholarships – $30,000 to help young people reach their full potential.

– Oz Harvest Ltd – $23,500 for van refrigeration to improve food rescue efficiency.

– Caloundra Chorale and Theatre Company Inc – $23,340.66 to resurface and upgrade car parking.

– SmartPups Assistance Dogs for Special Needs Children – $19,000 to upgrade kennel facilities.

– The Range Community Kindergarten – $12,100 to support the kindy’s Energy Independence project.

– Autism Camp Australia Ltd – $11,688 to buy IT equipment and carry out IT system upgrades.

– Katie Rose Cottage Hospice Ltd – $8,080 to upgrade training and service equipment.

– SunnyKids Ltd – $6,704 for new beds at their crisis accommodation facilities.

– Kidney Support Network – $4,196 for a new op-shop sales system.