Buderim Foundation will soon be opening their 2019 Grants Programs for applications, with up to $10,000 each available to community organisations serving the local 4556 community.
Applications open on Monday 10th June, and eligible applicants will need to apply online before Sunday, 21st July. Successful applicants will be announced at the Foundation’s 2019 annual community grants celebration on Saturday afternoon, September 14th.
When we gather to pay our respects this Anzac Day at Buderim, the speakers will now stand behind a beautiful handcrafted lectern thanks to a generous gift from the Buderim Men’s Shed.
Built by Buderim Men’s Shed member Mick Harman, the contribution of time and skill is the latest of Buderim’s tradition of a living memorial, where, rather than having a monument or statue, locals participate in acts of community service.
Mick spent more than eight full days making the lectern using materials funded by the Men’s Shed.
“It means an awful lot to me to offer this gift to the Buderim War Memorial Community Association,” said Mick, whose father and grandfather were both soldiers, while more recently his Godson served in Afghanistan.
Buderim Foundation’s Keryn Bauer with Buderim Lions Club’s Garry Bates, Buderim Rotary president Lloyd Edwards and Mountain Creek State School chaplain Anthony Pulford with the vouchers for school students.
For the 15th year running, the Buderim Foundation is proud to again be a part of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) Back to School Program, helping local families who need assistance with school expenses like clothing, shoes and stationery by offering $50 Target vouchers.
Buderim Foundation Director Rebecca Ramsay said this year a total $11,000 worth of vouchers are being distributed to Mountain Creek State School, Chancellor State School Campuses, Buderim Mountain State School, and SunnyKids.
“The funds include an allocation from the FRRR of $7000 to the Buderim Foundation. A further donation was made by the Buderim Lions Club and the Buderim Rotary Club of $1,000 each which was then matched dollar-for-dollar by the FRRR.
“We are very grateful for the generous financial support of the local Lions and Rotary Clubs,” Rebecca said.
With the 2019 school year now underway, the Buderim Foundation Youth Committee is set to launch its third annual Youth in Philanthropy Project this week, on Friday 15th February at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Buderim Foundation Youth Committee Chair Graham Tamblyn said the afternoon workshop is a leadership program aiming to introduce the concept of philanthropy and its value to young people, in order to inspire them to adopt it throughout their lives.
“Philanthropy is vitally important to a thriving society and by talking to student leaders, we hope we will encourage long-term, and even life-long involvement in the community,” Mr Tamblyn said.
Prominent local philanthropy group the Buderim Foundation launched a new, ongoing fundraising initiative at the end of January, as part of the hilltop town’s busy Australia Day Parade.
Rooted in the belief that from little gifts, big things grow, the Foundation introduced their 2019 Regular Giving Program, in order to expand their celebrated Community Grants Program.
Buderim Foundation committee member Natasha Read, herself a long-time Buderim resident, said the program is an ideal for those already accustomed to automatic payments.
“There are many areas in my life that I am used to making ongoing contributions towards, including bills or other donations, so doing the same thing for the Buderim Foundation just seemed to make sense,” Ms Read said.
Two new directors including a local lawyer and business success coach have been formally appointed to the Board of the Buderim Foundation at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting held recently.
Paul Kusy from My Legal Group and Rebecca Ramsay from Clear Light Capital join ten current directors and replace retiring directors – John Kruger and Lisa Edwards.
In announcing the new appointments, convener of the panel of Members responsible for their selection, Mr. Rod McKinnon said each of the new directors has an acknowledged track record of success and achievement in their respective fields.
“They each bring a great deal to their new roles adding further breadth and depth to this outstanding community organisation,” Mr McKinnon said.
In what promises to be the most elegant dining experience of the year, 
Lunch En Blanc, an afternoon of fine food and entertainment inspired by the global phenomenon returns to Buderim next weekend Sunday 7 October at the Buderim Memorial Hall.
After the runaway success of last year’s inaugural event, 2018 Buderim Foundation Lunch En Blanc is the perfect opportunity to celebrate with friends, and to raise funds that go to supporting the Foundation’s philanthropic activities.
Inspired by the original Parisian chic picnic, Lunch En Blanc is now a worldwide event in which people dressed in white gather in a public space and set up a temporary, chic dining area to share food and comradery.
Locally, it is a chance to dress (fearlessly!) in all white and assemble your own bountiful picnic basket to share with others amid a splendid setting of long white tables.
The Buderim Foundation awarded a record amount of more than $75,000 in grants to 23 community-based organisations today, as part of its biggest ever Community Grants Celebration. During a lively spring afternoon filled with community spirit, the popular philanthropy group announced the grants from the grassy lawn of the Buderim Village Park located on the corner of Gloucester Road and King Street.
The Buderim Foundation 2018 Grant recipients – photo by Ross Eason. Click to see link to high-res photo. Please include photo credit when publishing.
Buderim Foundation Grants Committee Chair Lisa Edward said this year’s Community Grants Celebration marks not only largest total amount of annual funding ever awarded by the Foundation, but the largest number of recipients.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to award a total of $75,605 to community groups here today, in what is the 11th year of the Community Grants Program,” Ms Edward said.
The owners of seven Mooloolaba bar venues are banding together to present Karma for A Farmer next month, a local initiative of our beachside businesses to raise money for drought-effected farmers.
From midday on Sunday 9 September, Taps, 313 Social, Dirty Moes, Good Bar, Beach Bar and Grill, Boston Shaker and The Dock Mooloolaba, will be offering thirsty patrons the chance to make a donation to the Aussie Farmers Foundation in exchange for a craft beer.
Organising the local event is the owner of Taps Mooloolaba, Steve Barber, who said it was just one way to help out those in rural communities, many of whom visit the area on holidays.
The Buderim Foundation is set to host its biggest ever Community Grants Celebration next month, with a record amount of funding expected to be awarded to local community groups.
On Saturday,15th September, the popular philanthropy group will announce this year’s grant winners, the recipients of which are all community-based organisations providing services and support for residents in the 4556 postcode.
This year, the Buderim Foundation will award more than $75,000 to be shared by 23 community-based organisations which provide services and support for residents in the 4556 postcode.
Buderim Foundation Grant Committee Chair Lisa Edward said the event is the most important day on the Foundation’s calendar and continues to grow each year.
