James Frizelle Charitable Foundation Grants 2023 - 2024
Round 2, 2023
Arundel Park Riding for the disabled - Contribution towards veterinary care, farrier services, chiropractic care, and feed for our horses
Horse riding is a pleasurable form of physical exercise which has proven to therapeutically assist people with a wide range of disabilities. Arundel Park Riding for Disabled was formed in 1981 to provide a horse-riding service for children and adults with a disability. APRDA horses require consistent maintenance and care to ensure rider safety and the health of the horses. Our Foundation Grant of $25,000.00 per annum (year 1 of 3 years) will be instrumental in providing the much needed care to the 20 therapy horses for the next 3 years.
Animal Therapies Ltd - Animal-Assisted Mental Health Support: For those most at risk of falling through the cracks
Animal Therapies Ltd, a registered Health Promotion Charity, was established on 21 February 2018. It offers an impartial lens creating linkages, partnerships and joint initiatives between recipients, the private, public, education & community sectors. Research highlights the power of the human – animal bond and the positive impact this has on the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Our Foundation Grant of $25,000.00 has helped 20 individuals, who are often experiencing complex trauma/PTSD, are at risk of falling through the cracks with no other options available to them, to gain access to animal therapy that they might never have been able to access.
C1 Global Community Care limited - Outreach BBQ Food Van
C1 Global Community Care is based on the Gold Coast and is the charitable arm of Church One Christian Community. The 12 Baskets feeding program operated by C1 Global, has helped struggling families and homeless people on the Gold Coast region since 2017. 12 Baskets delivers frozen meals, fresh produce, bread and food to approximately 650 people each week. We also provide BBQs in various locations; such as caravan parks, homeless shelters, complexes and community centres. Our Foundation Grant of $32,000.00 has funded the purchase of a purpose built van that will be used to deliver food parcels around the Gold Coast as well as host BBQ’s at various locations.
Drought Angels - Not Forgotten – Flood Affected Farmers in Northern NSW
Drought Angels provide direct and timely financial assistance, essential resources and meaningful relief for Primary Producers across Australia impacted by drought and natural disasters. Our commitment is to provide heartfelt, discreet, and personalised support to farmers and rural communities. Our Foundation Grant of $24,055.00 will ensure that the Drought Angels can support approximately 40 highly vulnerable Northern NSW regional farming families known to Drought Angels in their recovery from the floods, Drought Angels plans to offer them a follow up package. This will be a pre-paid Mastercard card and one or more wellbeing phone calls over a three month period to check in on their mental health (all of Drought Angels on the Phone staff have rural backgrounds and First Aid Mental Health training).
Little Wings- Little Wings Flight & Medical Wings programs QLD
Over recent years, and particularly during the pandemic, Little Wings, a non-profit organization have been approached by local QLD services (Brisbane Children’s Hospital/Act for Kids) and the federal government, to deliver their proven services into QLD. Our Foundation Grant of $50,000.00 per year (year 1 of 3 Years) will fund the next 3 years of the Medical wings program. Medical Wings – will fly 4 Doctors to deliver 14 regional and remote clinics across QLD. Clinics will vary in length usually from 2-5 days, be in partnership with local doctors and medical specialists/healthcare workers & will see as many as 3,500 children (all receiving 2+ treatments depending on diagnosis) in areas of high demand and health concerns. Additionally, 150 regional healthcare workers will receive direct training (one-to-one and workshops) that are tailored to the area’s need, seeing them aid in the continued delivery of intervention and support for families in between clinics. Little Wings will provide all transport, air and ground, free of charge for these activities and oversee all scheduling, family/specialist liaison; pilot and driver provisions.
The Carers Foundation - WHO CARES? Supporting unpaid Carers Project
The Carers Foundation is a not-for-profit, volunteer run organisation that works to prevent health crisis breakdown in unpaid family carers by providing wellness programs to support their physical, emotional and mental-health. The reality right now is that there are 2.7 million Carers in Australia, with approximately 84,000.00 in the Gold-Coast and Northern-NSW region. Many carers are from highly disadvantaged backgrounds since they cannot work due to caring commitments. Carers rarely find time to care for themselves therefore their health is at great risk of breakdown. Our Foundation’s $50,000.00 grant (year 1 of 3 years) will provide 1 and 3 day FREE comprehensive wellness-programs for 50 Gold Coast/Tweed/Northern Rivers carers from as young as 12yo in the WHO Cares? project. Participants receive Accommodation/transport to venue (facilitated in a safe, tranquil, healing environment around the Gold-Coast-Hinterland); healthy nutritious meals onsite; professional-counselling; unique stress-management and mental-health resilience workshops; healing natural-therapies; educational workshops on self-care, nutrition, time management, mindfulness and develop a range of skills and strategies to help them to cope with carer responsibilities; creative and fun activities to allow them to relax and enjoy themselves -especially young-carers; inspirational-speakers to empower and give hope for their future; individual mental-health and wellness-care-plans, utilised when returning home and follow-up care online post-program.
At The Ark - Counselling Services, Food parcels
Statistically in Australia, more than 1 in 5 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 16 men have been subjected, since the age of 15, to physical and/or sexual violence by a current or previous cohabiting partner. At the Ark services families affected by child sexual abuse, family and domestic violence referred via The Queensland Police Service, On referrals from other organisations and self referrals, providing FREE services to families and individuals impacted by financial restraints who are not in a position to afford additional services. With numbers increasing dramatically over the past 2 years, Our Foundation Grant of $25,000.00 p/annum (year 2 of 3 year Grant) will assist At The Ark be provide additional counselling services, occasional short term emergency accommodation, food parcels and additional copies of the Brave Little Bear 3-book series teaching families self-protective behaviours which will go a long way in the prevention of further child sexual abuse and family and domestic violence.
Australian Aphasia Association Ltd - Aphasia Camp
A little-known condition, Aphasia is a chronic impairment of language (talking, understanding, reading, writing) caused by stroke, brain injury, or brain tumour. Although it does not impact intelligence, its devastating effects significantly interferes with everyday life, including maintaining friendships, returning to work, participating in leisure activities, ordering meals, paying bills, leading to social isolation. It is estimated that 1500 people live with aphasia after stroke on the Gold Coast and currently there are only two small aphasia support groups. Speech pathologists are the key professionals who provide guidance and therapy. The Foundation grant of $26,016.00 p/a (year 3 of 3 year grant) will provide 30 Gold Coast Aphasia sufferers and their partner each year to participate in the 3 day national Aphasia camp held on the Gold Coast. Led by Emeritus Professor Linda Worrall (qualified speech pathologist) therapy activities delivered by volunteer speech pathology students include:- computer-based group speech therapy sessions; conversation groups, communication training for partners, mental health and access of local support services workshops; Aphasia-friendly leisure activities and a showcase event demonstrating the achievements of participants. Resources continue to be developed to support the implementation of other camps across Australia with the recent engagement of a project officer to support the creation of a free online education package.
Childhood Dementia Iniative - The Family Voice
Approximately 2300 Australian children are living with dementia. Most of these children have a life expectancy of less than 18, some will die in infancy and this year 90 Australian children will die, numbers similar to paediatric cancer aged 0-14. The focus has been on the more than 70 rare genetic causes of a child’s dementia, rather than the dementia and the common way in which they all present. This has led to fragmentation in care, isolated focus in research, and a lack of understanding of these children’s needs. Children with dementia and their families feel immense isolation upon their diagnosis, including having to fight for diagnosis. Our Foundation Grant of $25,000.00 per annum (year 2 of 2 year Grant) will allow the Childhood Dementia Initiative to address the lack of awareness and resulting inequity and dearth of support that children with dementia currently are subjected to. Never before have children with dementia and their families had the opportunity to share their lived experience and voice as a collective to raise awareness of childhood dementia, influence policy leadership, inform research, and identify effective solutions to ultimately drive change across systems of research, treatment and care in Australia. In the last year Childhood Dementia Initiative has seen visibility on ABC News, SBS News, Nine News, Channel 7, BBC International (41 different languages), Front Page of the Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Guardian and Current Affair, and several other local media providers. By putting the families’ experience at the heart of solution development, we can profoundly impact how children with dementia are viewed, treated and cared for.
Delta Therapy Dogs - Bringing joy and connection through Delta Therapy Dogs
The purpose of Delta Therapy Dogs is to help animals and people bring joy to each other. They believe that the human-animal bond improves quality of life through the social, emotional and physiological benefits of positive interaction between people and therapy animals. Their programs include visits to hospitals, aged care facilities, mental health facilities, dementia wards, palliative care, disability services, health clinics, schools, correctional facilities and workplaces. Our Foundation Grant of $10,000.00 was to ensure that Delta Therapy dogs is supported in their delivery of Animal Assisted Activities with their Delta Therapy Dogs, in care facilities and schools in the Gold Coast area, including engagement, recruitment, training, and ongoing support for local volunteers so they can bring joy to those who need it most.
Feros Care - More the Merrier
Feros Care are an award-winning, all-inclusive, not-for-profit organisation trusted by thousands of Australians. They provide services ranging from being an aged care provider to Disability and Community Development services (NDIS? Local Area Coordination).More the Merrier gives the gift of a connected Christmas to some of the thousands of elderly people experiencing devastating loneliness across the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers. Our Foundation Grant of $8,000.00 will help fund the distribution Christmas cards, (handwritten by people of all ages in the community), personal deliveries of Christmas hampers, making Christmas-time social visits and phone calls on Christmas Day.
Friends With Dignity - The Sanctuary Program
The Sanctuary Program helps Men, Women and Children affected by DV to rebuild their lives once they leave shelter, refuge or directly from an abusive relationship. Through donations of used and new household items, Friends With Dignity outfits the rental property they enter with all of the basic essentials needed to start afresh. This reduces the financial and emotional burden allowing them to heal and move forward. Our Foundation grant of $23,977.00 p/annum (year 3 of 3 year grant) will be utilised to purchase brand new white goods and flat pack furniture etc. (of the correct size) that will fit in the very small rental properties. Household items to assist at least 15 families per annum will be provided to help them to build a better life and to break the cycle of returning to the abusive relationship.
Friends With Dignity - Warehousing
Friends with Dignity warehouse spaces provide secure storage points for new and used furniture and household items held for the urgent and immediate distribution to homes created via the Sanctuaries Program for the survivors of Domestic and Family Violence helping men, women and children affected rebuild their lives once they leave shelter, refuge or directly from an abusive relationship. Our Foundation grant of $20,000.00 p/annum (year 2 of 3 year grant) will fully fund the Carrara satellite warehouse and will assist in funding the main Meadowbank facility.
Fibromyalgia ME/CFS Gold Coast Support Group Inc - Self Managementsupport for people with Fibromyalgia, ME/CFS or invisible illnesses
People living with fibromyalgia, ME/CFS or similar chronic invisible illnesses after diagnoses, are left on their own to manage their conditions.The 2022-2023 Gold Coast Health Local Area Needs Assessment (LANA) has identified that a target service is required. To quote “Many people live with persistent pain but cannot access service. 800+ people are waiting for pain clinics, with the wait period being up to 12 months. There is a large numbers of people living with chronic illness with inadequate access to services to support them. LANA also identified that rapid access to alternative services is required for chronic illness to reduce the burden on the Emergency Department” Inadequate access to appropriate pain management can further lead to isolation. Our Foundation Grant of $11,130.00 has been used to offer various support management programs where the attendees participate in alternative therapies used to help manage pain such as hydrotherapy classes, breathing techniques, yoga, meditation and more,
Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence - Getting you where you need to go - safer transport for Gold Coast victim/survivors of domestic and sexual violence
A safe reliable car is essential in rebuilding lives after domestic and sexual violence and is a key factor in finding and sustaining employment, in caring for children, in maintaining social and support networks and in achieving independence. Victim/survivors frequently have cars that are unsafe or unreliable, so they are not fully utilised. Sometimes the offender has damaged the car or slashed the tyres, but mostly it’s the insurmountable costs associated with rectifying a range of issues, because after accommodation, food and basic living costs they simply can’t afford car parts, repairs, appropriate child safety seats or new tyres, let alone registration, insurance and roadside assist. Our Foundation grant of $36,000.00 per annum (2nd year of 3 year Grant) providing Gold Coast victims access to vehicle maintenance, registration/licence/insurance fees etc. at no cost.
Gold Coast Youth Service - Youth Access and Support Service
This initiative is an early intervention response to young people aged 12 -21 years of age who present with at-risk factors including disengagement from family or community/support networks, education /employment, homelessness and harm (including self harm) by providing case management and practical on the ground support to navigate and overcome complex issues will assist in meeting the unmet demand from the community. The aim is to strengthen young peoples engagement and relationships with their family and community to enable successful transitions into adulthood and prevent entry into statutory systems. Our Foundation Grant of $50,000.00 per annum (year 3 of 3 year grant) will partially fund an additional full-time Youth Support and Advocacy worker to provide case management and practical on the ground support to navigate and overcome complex issues will assist in meeting the unmet demand from the community.
Gold Coast Community Fund
Established in early 2000, the not-for-profit, volunteer based Gold Coast Community Fund (GCCF) aims to relieve financial hardship which is determined on a case by case assessment of an individual beneficiary’s or charities genuine financial need. Relief of financial hardship may include assistance for people who are suffering from the effects of homelessness, sickness or from a disability, where, in each case, there is also financial need within the Statistical Area only of the Gold Coast. Our Foundation Grant $100,000 (year 2 of 3 year grant) will be distributed amongst the GCCF Disadvantaged, Domestic Violence, Homelessness and Housing programs.
Gold Coast Hospital Foundation - Cancer Patient Transport Service
The Gold Coast Hospital Foundation is a locally-based community organisation receiving no government funding, striving to relieve medical hardship caused by illness, injury or disability. One of their key operational objectives is to provide free transport to over 600 cancer patients each year to attend treatment appointments. Once diagnosed, the journey of ongoing cancer treatment is confronting, exhausting and convoluted. Frequent attendance at the hospital for specialist appointments, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy treatment and blood tests are demanding for the patient, their family and friends and the impact of cancer does not affect the patient alone. Patients are picked up from their homes, delivered to the hospital for their treatment and then returned home. The Service consists of 3 vehicles, which combined, cover 7000 transfers per year and average 650 kms each day (Monday to Friday). Each of the vehicles are operated by drivers who are trained for this service. Many of the drivers share a connection with cancer, and devote their time and energy to this service; providing an important support network to patients utilising the service. The Foundation grant of $40,000.00 per annum (year 1 of 3 year Grant) which will help sustain this invaluable service to our community.
The Glawry Assocciation - Diabetes Camp
Approximately 3000 Australians are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes each year, 2 in 3 are aged under 30, incidence rates are highest in the 10–14 age group. These children need a diabetes peer support network, their parents/carers need a ‘diabetes community’. Type 1 Diabetes is a relentless disease that requires hourly management. Children are robbed of their childhood freedom and spontaneity. Diabetes management needs to be diligent, otherwise the medical consequences are immense. Glawry has run a highly successful weekend long camp for 13 years for children aged 5 -16. The camp is unique in that the child with type 1 attends with their family/carer.The camp provides a safe, nurturing environment, where children and their families can interact, gain invaluable peer support, learn diabetes management strategies and share the day to day burdens that having a child with diabetes brings. Our Foundation Grant of $5,000.00 (1st year of a 3 year Grant) has been used to continue running the weekend long Diabetes camp
Guide Dogs Queensland - Vehicle for vision impaired over 65's
Guide Dogs Queensland occupational therapists, psychologists, orientation and mobility and assisted technology specialists currently support 200 vision impaired Queenslanders on the Gold Coast – 98 of whom are 65+. Older clients, especially those who are 65+ and not eligible for NDIS funding, are also one of the most vulnerable and at serious risk of social isolation if they do not receive early intervention. Our Foundation Grant of $10,000.00 (3rd year of 3 year Grant) towards the annual running costs of the Guide Dogs Queensland designated fit-for-purpose vehicle transporting both patients and guide dogs when required to reach medical appointments etc., thus ensuring that and their quality of life is improved.
Human Nature - Elev8: Creating a community of support
The core focus for Human Nature is young people aged between 14 and 20 living in the Far North Coast of NSW, empowering them to navigate life’s challenges – transforming trauma and disadvantage into healing and growth through innovative, accessible professional mental health outreach. Elev8 offers a range of group activities, workshops and events for participants to choose from, depending on their individual needs and interests. Designed in consultation with young people to ensure high-levels of engagement, these activities are delivered all across the Far North Coast at zero cost to the young person, offering transport to/from the event so that young people don’t miss out on accessing our therapeutic services. Our Foundation Grant of $50,000.00 per annum (2nd year of 2 year Grant) will allow an additional 40 young people each year to participate in the program, away from conventional clinical settings and tailor support to their individual needs.
Journey 2 Learn - Thriving Together: Enhancing Parental Wellness on the Autism Journey
Journey 2 Learn provides One-on-One Early Childhood Intervention & Therapy Support Services to neurodivergent children with the primary aim of supporting inclusive access to mainstream schooling during their prime developmental years, i.e. kindergarten, prep, junior and middle school. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder are often highly stressed and experience poorer quality of life which has been associated with the additional challenges arising from parenting a child with ASD. Our Foundation Grant of $15,000.00 will help fund a wellbeing support program for parents of the Journey 2 Learn children. . The program will be focusing on specific aspects of mental health and effective coping mechanisms.
Little Wings- Little Wings Flight & Medical Wings programs Northern NSW
Little Wings is a non-profit organization (not government funded) that provides free, professional and safe flight and ground transport services for sick children in rural and regional NSW, striving to ease the journey and help sick children access specialised medical services and treatments that are only available in major cities or towns. The service is delivered by a team of highly experienced volunteer pilots with a commercial pilots licence, instrument rating, and a minimum of 1,000 hours total flying time and drivers all hold a full drivers licence and exemplary driving record. Our Foundation Grant of $50,000.00 (year 3 of 3 year grant) will fund 20 hospital flights per annum transporting 6 individual families (one of whom is flying weekly for chemotherapy) from the Northern Rivers with FREE air and ground transport as required to access life-saving medical treatment at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network. These children are diagnosed with cancer/genetic disorders/burns, all of which require long term support and intervention. Further, the Grant will assist in delivering 13 MEDICAL WINGS flights per annum whereby a range of medical specialists and their teams are transported across northern NSW seeing an estimated 240 children. Additionally, up to 10 local healthcare workers will also receive direct face-to-face training as part of this program, seeing them aid in the continued delivery of intervention and support for families in between clinics.
Lotus Living Organically Inc - Respite & Education for Chronic illness, Disability, Mental Health & Carers
Individuals with chronic illness, cancer warriors, mental health, disabled individuals, and caregivers require specialised support due to their unique challenges. Traditional healthcare models often neglect their holistic needs, leaving them isolated and lacking necessary resources. Lotus’s tailored approach acknowledges each individual’s diverse journey and provides personalised support to meet their specific needs, enabling them to live fulfilling lives. Collaboration and networking keep Lotus at the forefront of advancements in the field, allowing them to offer comprehensive resources and support. This continuous learning ensures that Lotus remains innovative providing the most effective support to community. Education and empowerment are crucial in enabling individuals to advocate for themselves and make informed decisions about their health. By providing relevant information and teaching self-care skills, Lotus equips individuals with tools to actively manage their conditions and thrive. Our Foundation Grant of $8,000.00 (1st year of a 3 year Grant) has been used to present education and respite events on the Gold Coast. Providing much needed education and care.
Muscular Dystrophy Queensland - Community Support, Programs & Helpline for Gold Coasters living with Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular Dystrophy Queensland provide services and support for people who live with muscular dystrophy and similar conditions and their families, throughout every life stage.On diagnosis and throughout the clients journey there are many questions they and their families have.They may struggle to overcome the grief associated with a life-limiting diagnosis for themselves or a family member and feel they are the only ones facing this challenge. Our Foundation Grant of $20,000.00 will be used to increase well being and knowledge by holding regular social events on the Gold Coast, information days, monthly online forums, a helpline and access to pro bono allied health support when other funding isn’t available.
Newlife Care - Crossroads Program Participant Sponsorship Program
Since 1995, Newlife Care have been providing a safe place for their participants and support workers. Currently welcoming around 120 participants, many with their support workers and around 30-40 of their 70 volunteers every week. The programs offer engaging and interactive activities to participants and their support workers and includes live music and dance, morning tea, a worship service, lunch, crafts, games and socialising opportunities.The Crossroads Program Participant Sponsorship Program is designed to enable more people with disabilities to attend the program more often. Due to some participant’s financial status, they are unable to actively participant in the program increasing their social isolation and exclusion. Our Foundation Grant of $7,500.00 will enable participants to attend the programs regardless of their financial situation.
Northern Rivers Community Cancer Foundation - Our House - Our House for Premi Mums
Our House is a purpose-built accommodation for patients, carers, and their families who are receiving treatment at Lismore Base Hospital. Our Foundation Grant of $19,000.00 (year 3 of 3 year grant) in support of The Premi Mums program will provide accommodation for regional families to stay close to their premature baby whilst a patient in the Lismore Base Hospital Special Care Nursery – at no cost to the family. Not only will the program ease the financial strain for the family (having no out-of-pocket accommodation costs) whilst away from home, it will promote mum and baby bonding, remove the need for daily travel to breastfeed (no potential loss of milk) and enable the family to function in a more relaxed environment during their hospital journey.
OrangeSky Australia - Gold Coast & Nth Rivers Laundry & Shower Service
OrangeSky’s two hybrid laundry and shower vehicles on the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers currently provide free laundry, warm showers and non-judgemental conversation to people experiencing disadvantage throughout the region. The Gold Coast service is operated by 85 rostered volunteers, operating 12 weekly shifts across the city and since January 2016, has facilitated 12,971 loads of laundry, 113 hot showers and enabled 19,545 hours of genuine and non-judgemental conversations. The relatively new Northern Rivers service is currently operated by 36 rostered volunteers, operating 5 weekly shifts across the region and since commencing in February 2020, has facilitated 251 loads of laundry, 98 hot showers and enabled 644 hours of genuine and non-judgemental conversations. The Foundation Grant of $100,000.00 (year 3 of 3 year grant) will provide funding for ongoing vehicle operating costs, recruitment and training of additional volunteers to increase the number and location of shifts across both regions.
OzHarvest Limited- OzHarvest Tweed Food Rescue: feeding vulnerable communities by reducing food waste
Established in 2013, OzHarvest is a not for profit charity that addresses food insecurity by supplying over 65 Gold Coast/Tweed Heads charities with free, nutritious meals and fresh produce for the vulnerable people in their care including the homeless, single parent families, and socially isolated pensioners (who are at statistically higher risk of poor health and wellbeing outcomes). Three OzHarvest Gold Coast vans operate “food rescue” and “drop-off” activities at least six days per week, including outside of business hours and on weekends. The Foundation grant of $75,000.00 will help OzHarvest continue feeding Tweed’s most vulnerable community members, five days a week for a year. This support will ensure we can divert 75,000kg of food annually, the equivalent of 150,000 nutritious meals. will ensure continuation of this service to our local community through OzHarvest.
Pregnancy & Family Support Gold Coast - Peri-Natal Emergency Relief Program
Pregnancy and Family Support Association Gold Coast Inc. has a long history of assisting families and individuals in financial and psychological distress, with a strong focus on supporting disadvantaged pregnant women throughout their pregnancies and beyond. Our Foundation Grant of $10,000.00 per annum (3rd year of 3 year Grant) will be used to provide emergency relief support to at-risk mothers and their families, many of whom are facing financial issues outside their control. These funds will be utilised to support mothers with infants requiring medical care, assisting with petrol to attend medical appointments, hospital car parking fees, outstanding medical as well as other Peri-Natal needs, such as baby formula, nappies and pharmaceutical requirements and car seats/prams where they cannot be sourced from donations from other collaborative Charities.
Royal Flying Doctor Service- Vital equipment & pilot training for outback Qld
Queensland’s Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) delivers preventative, curative and emergency health services to those living, working and travelling across rural, remote and regional Queensland, flying 12,319 patients in emergency or specialist care in 2020-2021. Many people in outback Queensland struggle to access the kind of health services taken for granted in the city. To ensure optimal service delivery, RFDS aeromedical crews require the best life saving equipment – all of which is provided by donor support. Charleville (2020/21:- 852 flights) and Mount Isa Bases (2020/21:- 1007 flights) required new, upgraded replacement of much of their ageing equipment along with mandatory annual pilot simulation training (RFDS operates with solo pilots in bad weather, at night and on the most remote dirt airstrips). The Foundation Grant of $52,143.00 (year 3 of 3 year Grant) will ensure the provision of equipment upgrades and pilot simulation training of Charleville and Mount Isa Bases.
Safe Haven Community - Emporium
Safe Haven Emporium is a pre loved clothing store. All clothing isndonated by the community and sold in the store to raise funds for woman and children who are victoms of domestic violence. THe funds are used for emergency accommodation, petrol etc.
Many woman use the store as a safe place to come and talk about their situation. Often these woman take this opportunity to receive help in planning their exit strategy from their volient situation.Our Foundation Grant of $25,000.00 per annum (year 1 of 2 years) will be used to help fund exit strategies for woman who are suffering from coercive control.
StandbyU Foundation - Family & Friends Shield
StandbyU Foundation is a not-for-profit charity established in 2017, existing to connect/re-connect vulnerable people affected by early and more severe forms of domestic abuse with those who care – family & friends (F&F) to harness and embrace the power of human connections, giving them the support they need to see a brighter future. They initiate bringing people together – family, friends, loved ones and colleagues into a victim’s personalized Safety Network, work with them to create action plans and provide simple, smart devices (shields/watches) with world first software (developed in Brisbane) to secretly & securely connect up to 10 F&F. A simple click of a button on the smartwatch activates an alert, allowing the chosen support network to listen in, locate the person at risk, speak to each other and organise help, whilst also recording what’s taking place, so that it can be used as evidence against the perpetrator. Our Foundation Grant of $50,000.00 per annum (3rd year of 3 year Grant) will provide 50 StandbyU Shields for vulnerable children and women across the LGAs of Gold Coast, Tweed, Byron Bay and Lismore. StandbyU will work with these families who have been affected by early and more severe forms of domestic abuse, giving them the support they need to see a brighter future. They help to bring people together to build individual safety networks, create action plans and provide simple, smart wearable devices to keep them connected in times of need.
StandbyU Foundation - Connected Community Partnership
StandbyU Foundation is a not-for-profit charity established in 2017, existing to connect/re-connect vulnerable people affected by early and more severe forms of domestic abuse with those who care – family & friends (F&F) to harness and embrace the power of human connections, giving them the support they need to see a brighter future. They initiate bringing people together – family, friends, loved ones and colleagues into a victim’s personalized Safety Network, work with them to create action plans and provide simple, smart devices (shields/watches) with world first software (developed in Brisbane) to secretly & securely connect up to 10 F&F. A simple click of a button on the smartwatch activates an alert, allowing the chosen support network to listen in, locate the person at risk, speak to each other and organise help, whilst also recording what’s taking place, so that it can be used as evidence against the perpetrator. With the ever increasing need for these devices, we committed another grant of $50,000.00 which will provide another 50 StandbyU Shields for vulnerable children and women across the LGAs of Gold Coast, Tweed, Byron Bay and Lismore. The backlog of requests for the shields continues to grow across the country and more specifically, the Gold Coast, with an average of 9 referrals per week. StandbyU will work with these families who have been affected by early and more severe forms of domestic abuse, giving them the support they need to see a brighter future. They help to bring people together to build individual safety networks, create action plans and provide simple, smart wearable devices to keep them connected in times of need.
St Johns Crisis Centre - Theory of Change - Assist Domestic Violence Victims and Outreach Program
A not-for-profit, volunteer based charity, offering a welcoming place for those seeking refuge be it from domestic violence, homelessness, or in need of emergency crisis assistance. The Drop in Centre provides a hot meal, shower, laundry or bathroom facilities and the company of others in a warm and friendly surroundings. Offering a safe and dignified environment, the St John’s Welfare Office assists people in emergency or crisis situations, including families with young children. Our Foundation Grant of $95,000.00 grant primarily aims to address the rising instances of Domestic Violence cases by supporting parents and at-risk youth in the Gold Coast Region. The funding will enable STJCC to collaborate closely with families and young individuals who require assistance. The Outreach program is a critical form of the program as in moments of crisis many people lack the capacity to navigate their way through medical, legal and government appointments. STJCC will advocate on their behalf and help them through these often stressful and intricate circumstances
Support the Girls Australia - Protecting the heart of our operations
For many Australian women and girls, having access to supportive bras and essential hygiene products, is something we take for granted. And yet, there are so many vulnerable, disenfranchised and disadvantaged Australian women and girls who do not share this privilege.Access to these products is a basic human right and a lack of these resources can perpetuate shame, stress and mental health issues for women and girls who are often already facing disadvantage, trauma and abuse. Support the Girls Australia provides a life line to women who are struggling to make ends meet in a very challenging economic crisis. With many homes and families struggling, the woman in the houselhold, often choose to go without necessary items such as a bra. The purpose of Support the Girls Australia is to provide a safe space that women can come to, where they are able to significantly boost their self-esteem and confidence and get dignity. The ripple effect on various aspects of their lives, including relationships, work, and social interactions is immeasurable. Providing a safe space to foster a sense of community and social connection is important for women who may feel isolated, marginalized, or lacking in social support. Our Foundation Grant of $15,600.00 (year 1 of 3 years) will be used to cover the rental of the warehouse space used to collect, store and distribute their donations.
Support the Girls Australia -Providing Dignity and Self Worth with a Bra
For many Australian women and girls, having access to supportive bras and essential hygiene products, is something we take for granted. And yet, there are so many vulnerable, disenfranchised and disadvantaged Australian women and girls who do not share this privilege.Access to these products is a basic human right and a lack of these resources can perpetuate shame, stress and mental health issues for women and girls who are often already facing disadvantage, trauma and abuse. Support the Girls Australia provides a life line to women who are struggling to make ends meet in a very challenging economic crisis. With many homes and families struggling, the woman in the houselhold, often choose to go without necessary items such as a bra. The purpose of Support the Girls Australia is to provide a safe space that women can come to, where they are able to significantly boost their self-esteem and confidence and get dignity. The ripple effect on various aspects of their lives, including relationships, work, and social interactions is immeasurable. Providing a safe space to foster a sense of community and social connection is important for women who may feel isolated, marginalized, or lacking in social support. Our Foundation Grant of $18,300 (year 1 of 3 years) will be used to support Bra gifting events being run by Support the Girls where participants receive professional bra fitting, bras, underwear, toiletries and menstrual/incontinence products along with morning tea.
White Cloud Foundation -White Cloud Tele-Mental Health
White Cloud Tele-Mental Health has been operating for two years providing clinical treatment and support to Australians struggling with their mental health and well-being. The service is free, no GP referral or Mental Health Plan is required and, because all appointments are conducted via telehealth, clients can access the service from wherever they are from Brisbane to the Bush. Their clinicians are currently comprised of volunteers and provisionally registered interns, and as they are reaching client capacity with their current resources, our Foundation Grant of $50,000.00 per annum (year 1 of 3 years) will help fund the recruitment of additional qualified clinicians to take on caseloads and provide supervision to enable more student placements.
White Cloud Foundation - Tele-Mental Health for Mums
White Cloud provides tele-mental health support for women at risk of or experiencing perinatal depression. It is designed to complement the clinical care given by the mother’s health care provider. The service provides practical support and social connection phone contact with WCF program coordinator. Our Foundation Grant of $10,000.00 per annum (3rd year of 3 year Grant) will facilitate the roll out of this program across regional Queensland. Referrals to the program have to be received from medical professionals, allied healthcare professionals, social workers or counsellors.
Wounded Heroes - Homeless Heroes
A not-for-profit, volunteer based charity. First and foremost Wounded Heroes strives to prevent the suicide of those veterans that have lost all hope. Homeless Heroes provides front-line emergency financial assistance to fund short-term crisis accommodation and emergency food, phone, fuel and transport for homeless current Australian Defence Force personnel, veterans, and their families. Providing a ‘Housing First’ policy, allows engagement with the veteran/spouse, leading to acceptance of assistance and if required support through Wounded Heroes network of clinics and (sought in partnership with DVA) their entitlements. Our Foundation grant of $70,000.00 per annum (year 2 of 3 year grant) was made to assist Homeless Heroes’ crisis support of the veterans and current ADF personnel in our local community.
Wounded Heroes - Horses 4 Heroes
A not-for-profit, volunteer based charity, the Horses 4 Heroes program was initially designed in 2017 for the Gallipoli Barracks Soldier Recovery Centre Brisbane to assist referred current members of the Australian Army, Navy, & Airforce, suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder/anxiety/depression and unable to return to work in the Australian Defence Force. 2020 saw the program expanded to include veterans and their spouse, operational 30-36 weeks a year and provided free of charge to all participants. The program draws together concepts of peer-support and equine therapy. Led by Vietnam Veteran Pete Riches the program (non-riding, ground work only) provides participants with a non-judgmental and positive environment to connect with a horse and enable recovery and rehabilitation. Medication fosters a passive experience, which is seen as the normal whereas interacting with such a powerful and spirited animal can instil a sense of self-worth and self-confidence particularly benefiting those who as a result of PTSD, often see themselves as powerless when dealing with every day events as well promoting physical, occupational, and emotional growth. Our Foundation grant of $30,000.00 per annum (year 2 of 3 year grant) was made to assist in this ongoing program
Zephyr Education Inc- Back to school, back to normal
The not for profit, volunteer run charity Zephyr Education Inc was founded in 2013 by Isabella Bevan, David Bevan AM, Carmel Martin and Terry Martin to help children at domestic violence shelters resume their education by supplying
them with everything they need to start at their new school. The back to school, back to normal project involves helping children fleeing domestic and family violence by supplying them with uniforms and all other school essentials to smooth their path back to school. Our Foundation Grant of $75,000.00 annually (year 1 of 3 years) means they can restart school looking like their new classmates and with the same school items.
4 Aussie Heroes Foundation - "The James Frizelle" Camp Courage
A not-for-profit Charity developing and delivering programs to enhance quality of life for those military (ADF) and first responder (AFP, QPS, QFES, QAS) personnel, past and present with PTSD and related mental health issues, as a result of serving our great Nation and our Communities. “The James Frizelle” Camp Courage will be a purpose built, rural retreat specialising in live-in rehabilitation programs for military and first responder personnel, past and present, who are suffering and struggling as a result of their service to our Nation and our Communities. Our Foundation has committed a further $3,000,000.00 to the construction costs of Camp Courage with an amount of $1,406,269.63 paid in the current year. The funds will be used for construction and reticulation will be completed and the facility certified for use by the relevant authorities and ready for Foundation Programs to commence.
Northern Rivers Community Foundation
The NRCF is a community-based independent foundation that connects people and communities to tackle challenging social and environmental problems across the Northern Rivers region. Established in 2004, they are dedicated to improving the lives of those less fortunate, including those affected by economic circumstances, mental illness, disability, learning difficulties, aged services, domestic violence and homelessness. NRCF grants support a range of projects – from helping a local disability charity to purchase a new beach wheelchair, funding intervention and support programs for at risk youth, through to the re-establishment of a local food pantry wiped out by floods. 2023-2024 is the 2nd year of our 3 year Foundation’s grant, with $76,683 distributed amongst the following. Individual grant recipients:-
Container of Dreams
$10,762.50 Container of Dreams, a not for profit organisation is Helping Australians into Home Ownership. They pioneer solutions to affordable housing and homelessness aim is to build creative temporary housing options while continuing to work towards our long-term goal of providing permanent, affordable housing to the disadvantaged. Their aim is to assist Women in need with Crisis, Emergency, Transitional and Permanent Housing Options. Container of Dreams is currently exploring ways to implement a new and innovative housing community in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. The access to water project will help the community by offering local access to clean water. This will be achieved by purchasing 2 large 30,000 litre water tanks which will be installed on site.
Story Dogs Ltds
$3,815.31 Story Dogs enables a child and a dog with their volunteer handler a weekly one-on-one reading session held at the child’s reading level throughout the course of a school year. The literacy program is based on the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) model. The READ program has successfully proven the educational benefits of reading to dogs since 1999. Story Dog Volunteers are guided on working with children to go at the child’s pace and use the calming presence of the dog to support comprehension during each 20 minute reading session
Zephyr Education
$10,762.50 The not for profit, volunteer run charity Zephyr Education Inc was founded in 2013 by Isabella
Bevan, David Bevan AM, Carmel Martin and Terry Martin to help children at domestic violence shelters resume their education by supplying them with everything they need to start at their new school. The Project involves helping children in the Northern Rivers District whose lives and education have been disrupted by domestic and family.
violence, by supplying them with school uniforms, bags, stationery, and all other school essentials to give them the best chance of
successfully restarting their education. Already supplying school essentials to a DV support organisation operating in three towns within the district, funding will provide additional DV shelters similar support.
Resilient Lismore Incorporated
$13,543 The Resilient Lismore was founded to help the Lismore Community recover from the 2022 floods, which were the most server in recorded history. They support the local community in Lismore and surrounds helping them to recover by connecting offers of help to those in need. Our Funding will help support one of the projects undertaken by the Resilient Lismore Group, the transformation for Sustainability of the Tool Library.
Tyalgum Community Hall
$10,720 The Tyalgum area sustains a variety of agricultural and rural lifestyles set in spectacular scenery. The Hall has been in continuous community use since it was built by local residents in 1908. It is regularly used for a wide range of meetings, health and wellbeing classes, community and private functions, and celebration of life services. The accessibility upgrade that is planned, will address inclusion and accessibility needs of local community members and the broader community. It will make a significant difference by providing easy safe barrier free and direct access between the council footpath and disability ramp and two sets of steps at the side of the Hall.
Kyolgle Family Support Service
$10,720 Kyogle Family Support Services Neighbourhood Centre Inc. is a safe place where everyone is welcome. Working in partnership with community, to find unique responses to local issues. The project to be funded is providing emergency Relief Support for Kyogle Families. This support will be in the form of vouchers that will be distributed among the Kyogle township and LGA
CWA Nimbin
$10,762.00 The Country Women’s Association will be celebrating its centenary, with women coming together from all over rural and remote NSW to honour an organisation that has focused on everything from drought relief, hospitals, and family violence to preserving agricultural land, homelessness and medical research. The funding will be used to support the project Nourishing Our Community through the purchase and installation of a 900mm Commercial cooktop and oven, a 2100 x 600cm stainless steel preparation bench and three large cooking pots to Increase capacity and ease of preparing food on a commercial scale.
Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre
$10,762.50 PBNC is a busy and socially inclusive centre which operates within a multipurpose complex (located next to the Pottsville HealthOne Centre servicing residents on the NSW Tweed Coast, and neighbouring areas. It has numerous buildings, services, programs, and events which are managed for community benefit. It has a proven record in forging and maintaining partnerships to address disadvantage.
Round 1, 2024
Agape Outreach Inc - Improving Support Services Sustainability for Homeless and Disenfranchised
Agape Outreach Inc. is a charity organisation making a difference in the lives of hurting, broken, and disenfranchised people. Agape operate between Byron Bay on the North Coast of New South Wales and Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast in Queensland, providing over 800 hot meals weekly to vulnerable people on the streets and various services. Our Foundation Grant of $23,808.00 per annum (year 1 of 2) will help Agape Outreach Inc in providing additional support services to people in need. the services being offered are 1:1 Counselling provided to assist with Mental Health, suicide, housing, trauma recovery, domestic violence, particularly elderly, and improved food security by increasing chef hours to ensure additional meals are provided as the need for meals increases.
Baby Give Back - Every Child’s Safe Start: Securing our home to deliver future impact
Our Foundation grant of $69,134.00 per annum (year 1 of 3 years) will allow Baby Give Back to ensure the continuity of their services by contributing to the rental of their warehouse premises. More than 1 in 6 Australian children are living in poverty, causing severe disadvantage to their development throughout life. Baby Give Back is ensuring every child has a safe start to life by providing families in crisis with the essential items they need for their safety, growth and wellbeing. The impacts of the rising cost of living mean that more parents and caregivers are finding themselves struggling to provide for their children. Many of the families supported are also experiencing complex social circumstances including domestic and family violence and housing instability or homelessness. The judgement-free support that Baby Give Back offers, shows these families that they aren’t alone and there is a village of people in their community who care about them. Their service gives relief and dignity to parents and caregivers who are struggling, increasing their confidence, their ability to engage with society and their hope for a better future.
Bravehearts - Bravehearts Turning Corners - Community
Bravehearts is an Australian child protection not-for-profit organisation, solely dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse.They work holistically to educate, empower and protect children from child sexual abuse.
Turning Corners Community is an early-intervention therapeutic program providing an alternative pathway to adolescents (13-17yrs, up-to-21 with intellectual impairment) who have/or are at risk of, engaging in harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) to receive support earlier, change their behaviour, avoid contact with the statutory criminal justice system and prevent other children/youth being sexually harmed. Our Foundation Grant of $50,000.00 will be used to fund the Turning Corners program helping to create a holistic approach for best outcomes.
Kelly Wilkinson Foundation Pty Ltd - Kelly Wilkinson Foundation Gold Coast Project
The Kelly Wilkinson Foundation was set up after the tragic murder of Kelly Wilkinson which left her 3 children orphaned as a result. The Foundation has been set up as a maternal wrap-around service aimed at restoring normality for secondary victims of DV and easing the financial burden for families caring for them. The principal purpose of the Foundation is to provide short and long-term benevolent relief to secondary victims of DV and their caregivers in the form of financial and practical assistance. Our 3 year Foundation grant of $10,000.00 per annum (year 1 of 3 years) will be used to provide short and long term financial and practical support for educational and developmental endeavors and “quality of life activities”. Essentially, the things that parents would typically fund for their children should they have been able to care for them. All children of DV related homicides, their caregivers and other children who reside at the same address are supported by this program. Funding is not provided as cash, but the board will pay for school fees, camps, vacation, respite, sports fees, cleaning and supported living, therapy, and anything else the family may need to adapt to their new normal.
Marine Rescue NSW Point Danger Unit - Northern Rivers Rapid Response Emergency Jet Skis.
After the devastating floods of 2022 plus recurrence of La Nina hitting the east coast of Australia, the Northern Rivers requires to have rapid response jet skis, to be operated as a pair, in times of local inundation of the Tweed River. Jet ski rescue operations provide quick response and can be used with a rescue boat operation. The jet skis are designed to meet the demanding requirement of Search and Rescue Organisations throughout the world. Their highly trained crews will receive specialist training in operations of these craft. Our Foundation Grant of $23,428.00 will fund the purchase of a jet ski for the purpose of search and rescue.
Lady Musgrave Trust - Connecting Queensland women to information, support and safety - The Online Handy Guide
Since 1885, The Lady Musgrave Trust has provided practical solutions that transform lives and transition young Queensland women who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness to a life of opportunity and prosperity. This is achieved by providing them with a safe place to live and access to education and employment opportunities. Our Foundation Grant of $25,000.00 per annum (year 1 of 3 years) is to support the development of the Online Handy Guide. The Handy Guide is an online service directory for Queensland women in need. It provides information and resources to support Queensland women who are at risk, with a particular focus on domestic and family violence and homelessness. Through this online platform, women can access vital support services and connect with organisations offering assistance.
Motor Neurone Disease Association Queensland Inc - Occupational Therapist for Gold Coast MND patients over 65yrs
MND is a progressive and fatal neurological condition and therefore the needs of persons’ affected by MND change over time; and often rapidly. Occupational Therapy is considered an essential part of the healthcare team supporting a person diagnosed with MND. MND clients need Occupational Therapy support for the provision of aids to maintain mobility (including hoists and powerdrive wheelchairs), aids and strategies to maintain independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) and in supporting the modification of the home environment to ensure the person is safe to remain at home.The prevalence of MND in the Gold Coast Region is higher than any other region in Queensland. this could be due to the aging population of the area. If a person is over the age of 65 when diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) – they are significantly disadvantaged due to their ineligibility to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The need for care, advice and support to clients over 65yrs and their carers and loved ones is vital to their ability to live better, for longer. Our Foundation grant of $50,000.00 will be used to fund the services of an Occupational Therapist on the Gold Coast.
Mullumbimby & District Neighbourhood Centre -Staying Home, Leaving Violence Brokerage Extension
Mullumbimby & District Neighbourhood Centre (MDNC) provides access to diverse services including Community Support/ER, specialist domestic violence services, homelessness support, financial counselling, food recovery, community meals and social inclusion activities.MDNC provides access to diverse services including Community Support/ER, specialist domestic violence services, homelessness support, financial counselling, food recovery, community meals and social inclusion activities. Staying Home, Leaving Violence (SHLV) aims to enhance safety for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence through the provision of home safety audits and security upgrades. This project seeks to extend the brokerage available to victim/survivors of DFV who are being supported by SHLV in order to provide time critical financial assistance to those at immediate threat. Our Foundation Grant of $15,000.00 per annum (year 1 of 3 years) will be used to fund security upgrades at properties including security cameras, sensor lights, re-keying and/or installing new locks, repairs to doors and windows, security screens for doors and windows and other items directly related to enhancing safety (eg SOS devices), minimising risk, and empowering victim/survivors navigating legal processes which promote perpetrator accountability.
Northern NSW Helicopter Rescue Service - The next stage of our Rescue Equipment upgrade project
The need to upgrade of our rescue equipment was triggered as part of a review to help mitigate associated risks involved in winch rescue operations. New equipment will include purchase a further 6 x Quad Lock Release Tether’s (used with our harnesses during winching operations) and 8 x Heed 3 oxygen devices. This new equipment will greatly improve the level of safety for our Rescue Teams and the patients we rescue during winching operations. Our Foundation grant of $25,114.00 will ensure the ongoing safety of both crews and patients during winching operations.
Realising Every Dream Limited - REDinc Creative and Performing Arts Centre for people with disabilities - internal fit out.
REDinc is a not-for-profit community organisation established in 1991 by a group of parents of school leavers with disabilities who were concerned at the lack of meaningful options for their children as they transitioned from school. Recently, REDinc undertook the renovation of a shop in the heart of Lismore, affected by flooding. This refurbished space is now dedicated to hosting creative and performing arts programs tailored for individuals with disabilities. The project aims to facilitate the transformation of the area into a secure, inviting, and accommodating environment. The Arts Centre will serve as an inclusive venue, designed to ensure accessibility for wheelchair users and individuals with limited verbal and communication abilities. By providing a platform for self-expression and participation, regardless of disability, this initiative strives to disrupt the cycle of exclusion faced by people with disabilities. Our Foundation grant of $18,500.00 will contribute towards the refurbishment of the building.
Ronald McDonald House SEQ - Enhancing RMHC Gold Coast Family Rooms to support Patient Families
Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland (RMHC SEQ) provides essential accommodation and support services to seriously ill or injured children and their families while receiving treatment in Brisbane or on the Gold Coast. RMHC SEQ operate two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms (RMFR) located within the Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH), including the operation of two emergency overnight accommodation rooms inside the Family Room. Families often arrive with no notice and major challenges confronting them as their child seeks urgent medical treatment at a nearby hospital. RMHC SEQ strive to be each family’s home away from home and refuge. Revitalising the Gold Coast Family Rooms with essential upgrades is imperative. These spaces are sanctuaries for thousands of families, fostering support and resilience during challenging medical journeys.
The introduction of new carpeting not only enhances the visual appeal but also improves comfort and cleanliness, creating an environment conducive to relaxation. Our Foundation Grant of $32,000.00 will help cover the cost of the upgrade to these spaces.
The Men's Table - Gold Coast LGA - Northern NSW (Lismore and North) - Table Expansion All Tables are supported by the Kitchen (central office) of The Men’s Table, a registered not for
All Tables are supported by the Kitchen (central office) of The Men’s Table, a registered not for profit organisation formed in 2019 by co-founders Ben Hughes and David Pointon, both members of that first Table. Belonging to a Men’s Table contributes to mental, emotional and social wellbeing whilst being a powerful support to individual members travelling their life journeys. Each Men’s table offers a place for men to come together from all walks of life to connect and share their life stories and to promote social and mental wellbeing. Our Foundation grant of $25,000.00 will be used to fund the formation and ongoing supports of the Men’s Table on the Gold Coast as well as a table in Northern NSW.
Top Blokes Foundation - Gold Coast Mentoring for boys & young men
Top Blokes Foundation is a social-education organisation that improves the mental health, emotional resilience and community engagement of at-risk and disadvantaged young males aged 10-24. Top Blokes Mentoring Programs strengthen the mental health of 14-17 year old young males while improving their engagement within the wider community. Our Foundation Grant of $25,000.00 will provide mentoring programs delivered inhigh schools on the Gold Coast. Th eproject will reach 120 young men. Participants will engage in weekly interactive workshops on topics such as: Mental Health, Risk-Taking and Peer Pressure, Respectful Relationships, Understanding Masculinity, Anger Management, Online Behaviour and Consequences.
Youngcare - Youngcare Home Support program
At 31 December 2023, there were 2,423 people under the age of 65 living in permanent residential aged care in Australia. The Home Support Grants provide essential funding to assist people in moving from inappropriate housing, such as aged care, rehabilitation or hospital, into somewhere more appropriate. This may be back home or to Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). The program provides one-off financial support for the provision of essential support items that are unable to be funded through other means, such as the NDIS. By funding the purchase of equipment, home modifications, and emergency respite care, the Youngcare HSG aims to enhance the lives of young people with high physical support needs and their carers. Our Foundation Grant of $25,000.00 will help support these young people in finding appropriate accommodation.
4 Voices - Golden Connections
4 Voices’ purpose is to provide support and social, digital, community, and employment connections to women who may be or who are at risk of experiencing Family and Domestic Violence; Social Isolation or Homelessness on the Gold Coast via 3 hours at “shifts” at 10 locations on the Gold Coast in areas where vulnerable people congregate and also require support.
Helping people become more digitally connected and therefore self-reliant is our goal. One in ten Australians are not online. Many are indigenous Australians, and women who experience domestic violence and whilst these women may have access to technology they may choose not to use it out of fear of being tracked or stalked. Research suggests that social connection improves physical health and psychological well-being. Our Foundation Grant of $50,000.00 per annum (year 2 of 3 year grant) will contribute towards the purchase/fitout and annual cost of mobile service to the Gold Coast.
Cancer Patients Foundation - Look Good Feel Better
Look Good Feel Better is a free national community service program dedicated to teaching cancer patients how to manage the appearance and physical related side-effects caused by cancer treatment. Women, men and teens participate in practical workshops which cover skincare, make-up, headwear, physical activity and overall wellbeing, leaving them empowered and ready to face their diagnosis. LGFB helps break through the isolation that many cancer patients experience after diagnosis and is a vital resource that greatly assists patients with improving their sense of physical, psychological and social well-being by learning strategies to improve self-image during such a vulnerable time. Our Foundation Grant of $21,000.00 per annum (year 3 of 3 year Grant) will support over 210 people across the Gold Coast and Northern NSW Regions area each year.
Cystic Fibrosis - Little Lungs, Big Futures
From birth, a child born with cystic fibrosis fights to take every breathe. The disease attacks the lungs, airway passages and pancreases – slowly shutting down the organs and leading to an early death. Most sufferers will not live past their twenties and livelihood outcomes are greatly reduced among low socio-economic families who cannot address the financial burden of managing the disease. A recent membership survey rated meeting out of pocket medical expenses as the primary concern for members, who are faced with increasing inflation. Sadly, with no designated govt funding for cystic fibrosis sufferers, for many people, Cystic Fibrosis Qld is their only source of welfare. Little Lungs Big Futures is a medical subsidy program for our most in need, vulnerable members living in the LGAs of northern NSW and the GC. The subsidy is a financial reimbursement upon presentation of receipt for approved medications up to the maximum of $100 per annum. Our Foundation Grant of $5,000.00 per annum (year 2 of 3 year Grant) will directly support 50 low-socio economic cystic fibrosis children in our local community.
Friends with Dignity- Friendsafe Program
The Friendsafe program aims to empower those affected by DV through providing monitored safety devices. Victims often leave the place of violence with nothing but the clothes on their back and no access to money which means they are unable to pay for the device or it’s associated monitoring. Agencies such as DV Connect and social workers assess victims prior to referral to FWD. The watch is a measure of added confidence for victims, given that it leaves the victim with a sense of security and it is linked to a response centre which by the press of a button and the call centre decides the appropriate action. It presents as a smart watch, so that the perpetrators are not aware of its functionality. Our Foundation grant of $10,000.00 per annum (year 3 of 3 year grant) will fund watches in the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers LGA’s.
Friends with Dignity- Little Friends Scholarship Program
A volunteer based not-for-profit registered charity providing practical programs gifted unconditionally to assist survivors of domestic violence rebuild their lives with purpose, dignity and hope in collaboration with refuge and crisis centres . The Little Friends Scholarship Program provides bi-annual monetary scholarships to children who have faced Domestic and Family Violence, to ensure all children have the ability to either further their education and/or be able to participate in extra-curricula activities that they may not be able to pursue due to the financial impact of Domestic Violence within their family environment. Our Foundation grant of $20,000.00 per annum (year 2 of 3 year Grant) will be distributed through the Little Friends scholarship program specifically to Gold Coast/Tweed/Northern Rivers recipients.
Hearts of Purple - Operation Family Protect
Hearts Of Purple was founded in 2017 after the brutal murder of Teresa Bradford. Teresa’s ex husband David Bradford, broke into her house during the early hours of January 31st 2017 where Teresa and their four children were sleeping. He left their four children as orphans after murdering Teresa, and then committed suicide. Hearts Of Purple will collaborate and work with other charities and departments to ensure the safety, security and correct information is given to each victim as well as working with our Specialist Assessment Team which consists of the Former NT Assistant Police Commissioner. Hearts Of Purple will also liaise with other DV Police units within QLD to ensure the safety of victims of domestic violence. Our Foundation Grant of $25,515.00 will fund the installation of security cameras to the homes of high-risk victims whose lives are at serious risk. The cameras also include 24/7 monitoring to ensure the continued safety of the victims. By installing the cameras, in addition to other measures, we are taking positive steps to save their lives.
Hope Starts Here - Help and Hope Starts Here
A not-for-profit, volunteer based Charity makes a difference to the homeless, those at risk of homelessness, and those facing economic hardship in the Gold Coast community. These people have fallen on hard times and by providing nutritious meals, that have been prepared in accordance with appropriate food safety processes and guidelines weekly HSH helps them get their life back on track and restore their dignity. Currently feeding between 100 to 120 people every Thursday night from Southport Community Centre, 6 Lawson Street, Southport. With our Foundation grant of $1,380.00, in addition to a warm meal HSH will provide the homeless with warm blankets, weather resistant ponchos and yoga mats for bedding. This will improve their resilience when sleeping rough in weathered conditions. This will have a flow on affect which will reduce sickness, improve their mental health, and boost wellbeing.
Murwillumbah Community Centre - Nullum Place Based Hub
The Murwillumbah Community Centre Inc is a not-for-profit, community organisation which provides a diverse mix of social support services, activities and facilities for the Tweed Shire. Their aim is to provide an accessible, safe and nurturing space and are committed to the principles of equity, access, participation and community development. Located right next to the Community Centre HUB, Nullum House is a social inclusion and drop in centre. This service provides a safe nurturing space for members of the community who may be facing social isolation, homelessness, mental health issues or social and economic disadvantage. Nullum House services include, Free Community meals, shower and washing facilities, Material aid, social programs and support groups. Our Foundation Grant of $25,000.00 WIll help to fund Nullum House to ensure that it stays open for those in need.
OrangeSky Australia - Gold Coast & Nth Rivers Laundry & Shower Service
OrangeSky’s two hybrid laundry and shower vehicles on the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers currently provide free laundry, warm showers and non-judgemental conversation to people experiencing disadvantage throughout the region. On the Gold Coast, we have provided people experiencing homelessness/‘doing it tough’ with 26,531 washes, 2,873 showers and 34,111 hours of conversation across 3,916 shifts. Since launching in the Northern Rivers, we have delivered 9,818 washes,1,495 showers and 9,588 hours of conversation across 1,399 shifts. The Foundation Grant of $100,000.00 per annum (year 1 of 3 year grant) will provide funding for ongoing vehicle operating costs, recruitment and training of additional volunteers to increase the number and location of shifts across both regions.
Our Kids
Our Kids primary focus is to improve medical care for sick, chronically ill and disadvantaged children in the Northern Rivers region. The Our Kids Community Grants (open for applications in June/July each year), allows families or community groups of the Northern Rivers who care for chronically ill, special needs or sick disadvantaged children to apply to Our Kids to purchase items which can be demonstrated provide medical or therapeutic assistance that the NDIS doesn’t fund to individual children or groups of children like feeding formula, orthotics, therapeutic equipment, paediatric medical equipment (syringe pumps etc), mobility aids and play equipment etc. Not only helping with their medical care, the program assists in keeping the children at home and out of hospital, benefiting their quality of life. Without this funding the items wouldn’t get purchased or it would take the family some time to save to purchase the requested equipment. The maximum amount for a grant application is $2000 and Our Kids then purchases the equipment or items that have been approved and gives it to the patient. The Foundation grant of $25,000.00 per annum (year 1 of 3 year Grant) which will assist a minimum of 10 additional children living with special needs per year.
RAD Riders - City of Gold Coast Australia's Next Level Youth Engagement Program
RAD Riders are a Public Benevolent Institution tier 1 registered charity and a multi championship winning brand that helps kids, youth and families. Since 1996, RAD Riders have provide positive and helpful solutions to the problems of kids and youth disengagement, law disrespectful behaviour and kids screen device over usage. Our Foundation Grant of $12,000.00 will help fund 25 youth engagement events in collaboration with the City of Gold Coast providing School holiday and weekend youth engagement solutions. The School holiday events are the RAD BMX Fun Series and Graduation Show and the weekend events are the Track Build Challenge, with equal priority being to stage a total of 12 specific and exclusive youth engagement events for kids and youth who are at-risk and or displaying anti-social behaviour. Disadvantaged kids and youth are also provided every opportunity to engage and rise up being supplied complimentary BMX bikes and all safety gear.
St John's Crisis Centre
A not-for-profit, volunteer based charity, offering a welcoming place for those seeking refuge be it from domestic violence, homelessness, or in need of emergency crisis assistance. The Drop in Centre provides a hot meal, shower, laundry or bathroom facilities and the company of others in a warm and friendly surroundings. Offering a safe and dignified environment, the St John’s Welfare Office assists people in emergency or crisis situations, including families with young children. Hayley’s Cupboard has free non-perishable food items for those struggling to feed their families or themselves as well as household supplies, towels, linen and blankets, men’s, women’s and babies clothing, shoes and beanies. In some cases due to extreme hardship, grocery/fuel /phone/public transport cards/chemist cheques/emergency accommodation/limited contribution towards school costs may be provided. On site access to various organisations for help including the HHOT Team (Homeless Health Outreach Team), Centrelink, Gold Coast Youth Service, Orange Sky, Uniting Care Community – Psychologist, Family Services Australia, Hair Dressers, Podiatrist, Dental Appointments and Narcotics Anonymous who meet twice a week on the premises. Previously funding this program over 3 years (2020, 2021, 2022 – totalling $150,000.00) , our Foundation is again committed to providing a $50,000.00 per annum (year 2 of 3 year Grant) to assist in ongoing service provision.
Small Grant Round, 2024
The Trustee for Byron Bay Community Benefit Fund - Safe Space: Expanding Fletcher Street Cottage's Homeless Breakfast Service for Lasting Impact
Fletcher Street Cottage provides essential support to those in need by feeding the homeless on a daily basis. The Breakfast Program offers practical relief through regular, healthy meals. Additionally, the Program creates a safe, welcoming environment where people access further support and pathways out of homelessness. Support includes showers, laundry, emergency relief, and appointments with support services e.g. specialist housing support, mental health workers, and Domestic Violence support. Our Foundation Grant of $4,396.00 will fund the purchase of additional refridgeration to support the growing demands for the Breakfast Program.
Churches of Christ in Queensland t/a The Mooring - Parking Vouchers for Families of Patients in ICU and NICU
“The Mooring” is a not-for-profit service attached to the Southport Church of Christ and has been in operation since early 2015. It seeks to care for families of patients in the Intensive Care Units of the Gold Coast University Hospital, servicing both northern and southern Gold Coast, with particular emphasis on those who travel from regional areas. Our Foundation Grant of $9,990.00 will be used to purchase parking vouchers for families of patients in the ICU and NICU at the Gold Coast University Hospital. These vouchers help disadvantaged families for the duration of their stay in the ICU or NICU wards.
Enriching Lives - Sponsor A Student
Enriching Lives Foundation has been born out a of passion to make a difference to families experiencing financial hardship. Our Foundation Grant of $10,000.00 will help support the sponsor a Student program funds secondary-school students from struggling families, assisting them in completing their education, the pathway out of poverty and towards a fulfilling and productive life. The program contributes to expenses that families must cover, such as meals, uniforms, shoes, stationery, technology devices, excursions, and school camps. Financial support may extend to extra-curricular activities where the student shows a strong desire or talent, such as music lessons, trade courses, technology or other agreed expenditure which will benefit their wellbeing and future aspirations.
Northern Rivers Community Healing Hub - Weaving Community Wellbeing - Outreach
The project run by The Norther Rivers Community Healing Hub aims to strengthen social connections, support collaborations, build networks and recognise First Nations knowledge through strengthening cultural practices that foster healing, connection and care for Country. The weekly activities – weaving, yarning, Acudetox, food/cuppas and bodywork – provide free, holistic support, establishing culturally safe spaces, and collaborating with local recovery services. Our Foundation Grant of $10,000.00 will help to fund the social connection events.
Hope Starts Here - Hope for the Future
Hope Starts Here provide the disadvantaged and homeless community with resources to combat the negative effects of homelessness including poor health, low self-esteem, and hunger. Our Foundation Grant of $9,540.00 will help fund providing the homeless with warm blankets, weather-resistant ponchos, and yoga mats and tarps for bedding. This will enhance their resilience when sleeping rough in harsh weather conditions. These provisions will reduce sickness, improve mental health, and boost overall well-being. Additionally, these items offer security, fostering a sense of belonging and confidence.
Australian Men's Shed Association - Small arts, crafts and activities for AMS Community
The Men’s Shed movement has become one of the most powerful tools in addressing health and wellbeing, helping men to once again become valued & productive members of our community. The modern Men’s Shed is an updated version of the shed in the backyard that has long been a part of Australian culture. Men’s Sheds are found in many cities and towns around Australia and continue to spring up internationally. Our Foundation Grant of $10,000.00 will help fund the small arts and crafts of the Ashmore Men’s Shed. These activities will benefit those men that feel socially isolated, distressed as a result of mental anguish in their matrimonial lives, PTSD through military service, retirement from workforce, and other mental health triggers
The Migrant Centre Organisation Inc (trading as Thriving Multicultural Communities) - Gold Coast Women's Collective (GCWC)
The Migrant Centre Organisation Inc. (TMC) stands as a beacon of support and integration since its inception in March 2001. As a not-for-profit, community-based entity, it operates under the governance of a dedicated volunteer management committee and thrives through the efforts of a professional team alongside volunteers from diverse backgrounds. Celebrating the essence of multiculturalism, TMC advocates for the enrichment brought about by cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity within Australian society. Our Foundation Grant of $5,000.00 will contribute towards the engagement and support of vulnerable and marginalised women who are 50 years and over, experiencing socio-economic disadvantage, isolated and lonely through the creation of a safe space offering advice on pathways to training and jobs and helping with mental wellbeing through various programs.
Mullumbimby Sustainability Education & Enterprise Development Incorporated (Mullum S.E.E.D) - Seasonal Community Health Celebrations
Mullum S.E.E.D initiated and developed a community garden in the Mullumbimby and through this initiative they have paved the way for a number of similar project throughout the Byron Shire. Our Foundation grant of $10,000.00 will be used to host free quarterly inclusive events to encourage community members to learn about and engage in the physical and mental health impacts of growing your own food, gardening and community participation. Event activities will ensure that people of Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse individuals and groups, those with a disability and disadvantaged youth feel welcomed and included.
Playgroup Queensland LTD - Intergenerational Playgroup Community Outreach
Founded in 1973, Play Matters Australia supports children and families to build relationships, skills, and confidence through play. Operating for over 50 years, Play Matters Australia aims to provide children with the best start to life by empowering parents and carers with the skills and confidence to guide and support their children’s development through the fundamental act of play. Intergenerational activities are mutually beneficial to all participants and aim to enhance connectedness and reduce isolation in older adults. There are currently 111,000 senior residents of the Gold Coast, with over 12,000 aged 85 or older. Our Foundation Grant of $9,952.00 will contribute towards the facilitation of 28 pop-up intergenerational playgroup sessions throughout various senior citizen centres, respite centres, aged care facilities, community centres and libraries on a rotating basis throughout one year.
SAPH Vision Quest Association Inc. - Youth Leadership Program for Gold Coast Disadvantaged Children
New Beginnings is a Non-Profit Charitable Organisation, established in 1999, and incorporated in 2002. The organisation is dedicated to bringing positive change into the lives of our most vulnerable young people, reducing youth anti-social behaviour, and making our communities safer and more liveable. Our Foundation Grant of $9,785.00 will help fund a group of severely disadvantaged children referred by Gold Coast Schools, Indigenous and Migrant/Refugee Organisations on a Nature-based Camp as part of our Self-esteem & Leadership Program.
Scout Association NSW - Lismore Scout Australian jamboree fund
Our Foundation grant of $9,045.00 will help to cover the expenses of 9 Scouts who will be travelling the the 26th Annual Scout Jamboree. Attending a Jamboree is a life changing event providing an opportunity to develop skills in planning, independence, motivating others and teamwork. Scouts will gain knowledge in adventurous activities which enables these skills to be brought back into the group to train younger Scouts.
Shaping Outcomes - First Steps
Shaping Outcomes is a non-profit National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Provider established in 1981 as Tweed Valley Early Childhood Intervention Service. They are owned and managed by a board consisting of parents of children with disabilities, community members and staff. Our Foundation Grant of $5,000.00 will be used to support children that are currently falling through the gaps of health, education and disability sectors. The funding will help children and families in our community to free supports to assist them in gathering and gaining the right information that will access either Mainstream supports or meet NDIS requirements for access to ensure they have the right funding to promote a successful and inclusive life in all areas of their development.
Special Donations 2024
Bravehearts - Bravehearts Personal Safety Programs for Children and Young People
Bravehearts provides children/young people with age-appropriate personal safety programs arming them with vital tools to recognise, react and report in order to protect them from sexual harm, peer-on-peer sexual abuse, grooming and online harms.
Our Foundation donation of $10,000.00 will assist in providing updates to these programs including the in-school teacher/student-led program for children aged 9-12 which requires an update that will be implemented early 2024 – in order to empower this age group with tools including respectful relationships, consent and online safety, how to report, who to report to. This program upgrade will include teacher guides, lesson plans and parent/carer information.
