Sunshine Coast families in need, and those affected by domestic violence, will receive vital food and rental assistance thanks to new grants from the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund, totaling more than $80,000.

Lily House’s Jo Higgins, Buderim Foundatioin chair Rod McKinnon, Aus Living Suppoort’s Leanne and Ian Harrison, Dessi Mitzeva and Kent Roberts

The grants to two local community organisations will be announced today at a morning tea at Courtyard Kitchen in Buderim at 11.00am.

Buderim Foundation Chair Rod McKinnon said the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund was proud to be providing further funding to Aus Living Support and Lily House.

“Many in our community are doing it tough in the current economic climate and we are pleased to be able to provide this support to these organisations who do such vital work,” Mr McKinnon said.

The grants details include:

• $50,000 to Aus Living Support for their rental supplement program to assist 200 vulnerable Sunshine Coast residents find more permanent housing
• $36,040 to Lily House to provide support those fleeing domestic violence including food, linen, toys, emergency provisions, and to pay for household utilities and vehicle expenses

Community organisations that make a positive impact on the local Buderim community, only have until Monday 1^st July to complete and submit their applications for the Buderim Foundation’s annual Community Grants Program for 2024.

Buderim Foundation 2023 grants

Buderim Foundation Grants Committee Chair Linda Bolton said the application process details and 2024 guidelines are available on the website, with successful applicants to be announced at the Foundation’s 2024 annual Community Grants Celebration on Sunday 15^th September.

“The Buderim Foundation is here to assist our local community organisations to provide for those living in our community.

“For our Community Grants program, projects need to directly benefit residents within the Buderim area, with a diverse range of areas of interest from protecting our natural environment to supporting youth in our community,” Ms Bolton said.

“Each year, the program attracts a great deal of interest. Last year, more than $97,000 in grants were awarded to 21 local organisations, bringing the total amount distributed over 16 years to over $829,767 to 97 different community organisations.”

The Buderim Foundation is opening applications for its annual Community Grants Program for 2024, with grants of up to $10,000 available for local organisations with initiatives that make a positive impact on the local Buderim community.

Buderim Foundation 2023 grants recipients

Applications open on Monday, 20^th May to organisations serving the local Buderim community, and eligible applicants will need to apply before Monday 1^st July 2024.

Buderim Foundation Grants Committee Chair Linda Bolton said the application process details and 2024 guidelines will be available on the website, with successful applicants to be announced at the Foundation’s 2024 annual Community Grants Celebration on Sunday 15^th September.

A new School Aid Program developed by Aus Living Support will support school children in need across the Sunshine Coast, thanks to a $33,000 grant by the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund.

The grant for the new program will enable Aus Living Support to help primary and high school students from across the Sunshine Coast, whose families are suffering financial hardship.

Buderim Foundation Chair Rod McKinnon said Aus Living Support Ltd is a Sunshine Coast charity and the Foundation has been working with them as the new program was developed.

“For the past 20 years, the Foundation has been working with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) to provide vouchers for students in the Buderim community, but that program had now closed, giving us the opportunity to look for a new way to provide similar support,” Mr McKinnon said