The Buderim Foundation is today awarding $450,300 in Thompson Charitable Fund grants to five organisations across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions, providing vital support for people facing homelessness, domestic and family violence, housing instability and financial hardship, and helping local families and individuals regain stability, hope and a path forward.
The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund recipients with Buderim Foundation’s Rick Woods and Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli and the Thompson family.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli is joining Buderim Foundation chair Rick Woods, grant recipients, Foundation volunteers, and community champions at the event, which honours the generosity of Roy and Nola Thompson, who established the fund in 2021.
Mr Woods said this year’s Thompson Charitable Fund Grants Celebration was particularly poignant with the recent passing of both Roy and Nola Thompson. “We are proud to be continuing their legacy of philanthropy and generosity to help those in our communities doing it tough,” Mr Woods said.
The event also celebrates the five local organisations providing a lifeline to people facing their toughest moments. The new 2026 Grant Recipients include:
- AusLiving Support – $150,000 for the Stay Safe Program, a frontline homelessness-prevention initiative providing short-term rental assistance paid directly to landlords or real estate agents for families at immediate risk of becoming homeless.
- AusLiving Support – $10,000 for the Kindness in a Basket campaign, providing practical, dignity-filled support to domestic violence survivors, vulnerable children and struggling families across the Sunshine Coast.
- Gateway Care – $50,000 for the Rack Voucher Program, supporting families in crisis situations.
- Gateway Care – $25,000 for the School Meal Program, delivered in partnership with the Good for Life Foundation, providing meals to students in need across Sunshine Coast schools.
- Lily House – $60,000 to support young pregnant or homeless women, mothers fleeing domestic violence, women recovering from substance abuse and women seeking reunification with their children.
- Sonshine Sanctuary – $30,000 to support women and their children fleeing domestic and family violence.
- SunnyKids – $55,800 toward a new transitional housing project providing medium-term accommodation for families exiting crisis accommodation.
- SunnyKids – $69,500 to support people impacted by the intersection of financial hardship, necessitous circumstances, domestic and family violence, housing instability and mental wellbeing.
Mr Woods said the Thompson Charitable Fund continues to demonstrate the power of local generosity to create real and lasting impact.
“The Thompson Charitable Fund exists to support people experiencing some of the toughest challenges in our community,” Mr Woods said.
“These grants will help trusted local organisations deliver practical support and pathways to stability for families and individuals who need it most.
“It is a privilege to see community generosity translated into direct help for people on the Sunshine Coast, year after year.”
Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the event reflected the power and compassion of the Sunshine Coast community.
“It is heartening to see local people and organisations working together to support those facing hardship,” Mayor Natoli said.
“Our ability to stand alongside our community’s most vulnerable members, and the charities who help them in their times of need, is one of our greatest strengths.”
“The Buderim Foundation plays an important role in bringing people together and helping ensure support reaches those who need it most.”
The Thompson Charitable Fund Grants Celebration comes as the Buderim Foundation continues to build long-term community resilience through philanthropy and local giving.
Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $3.17 million through all its funds, including over $1.7million from the Thompson Charitable Fund.
About The Buderim Foundation
Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic community foundation for Buderim and the Sunshine Coast.
Founded in 2004, we exist to connect generosity with community impact. We provide a trusted and enduring way for people to give back to the region they love through professionally managed investment, structured giving, and community support.
Our donors, volunteers, grant recipients, major philanthropists, local business sponsors, and community organisations all play an important role in creating lasting local impact across the Sunshine Coast.
Since 2004, Buderim Foundation has helped local organisations, initiatives and people across the Sunshine Coast access the support they need to thrive.
Thanks to donations and bequests from community members and gifts in memory of loved ones who have passed, we now have more than $10 million invested across our Buderim Community and Thompson Charitable Funds.
Earnings on these professionally managed funds, have enabled the Foundation to give back more than $3.17m in grants to community organisations delivering measurable impact.
For more information about the Buderim Foundation, how to get involved or make a donation, visit https://www.buderimfoundation.org.au/ or follow the Buderim Foundation on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
About the Foundation’s Thompson Charitable Fund
In April 2021, the late Roy and Nola Thompson entrusted over $5 million to the Buderim Foundation and established the Thompson Charitable Fund, providing grants to organisations that support people in need, specifically homelessness, domestic and family violence and financial hardship, turning compassion and generosity into meaningful change across the Sunshine Coast region.
