Queensland Country Bank's Good for Good Community Grants Program is calling for applications
LAST CALL FOR Queensland not-for-profit organisations from across Queensland, from Mount Isa to Mooloolaba and Brisbane to Birdsville : Queensland Country Bank's 2024 Good for Good Community Grants program closes at 5pm THIS Monday September 2!
This extraordinary community grants program, which has been running since 2005 and has injected $2.8 million back into regional Queensland over this time, is open to eligible Queensland not-for-profit organisations, with grants available from between $5,000 and $30,000 to help deliver projects that will make a practical difference in communities.
Queensland Country Bank CEO Aaron Newman said it was about using good for good.
"Our Good for Good Community Grants are all about using profits made from our banking business to invest back into community groups across Queensland. In turn, those groups can complete projects that benefit the lives of people in Queensland. It's good for good," he said.
The 2023 round of grants saw 12 community groups from as far north as Cairns, west to Mount Isa, and south to Brisbane and Ipswich now undertaking their projects. Each recipient shared in a total of $144,738 in funding to support the delivery of their project and help benefit their community across health, sport and recreation, education, environment, and arts and culture.
"Last year, we had a record number of applications submitted and were able to dedicate even more funding towards supporting communities and their projects. It was tough to choose just 12 recipients. We hope more groups apply this year – they need to apply now!" said Mr Newman.
"As a Member-owned bank, we are committed to reinvesting our profits back into our communities and take great pride in giving back to the communities that continue to support us."
For small community groups who rely on volunteers and fundraising to achieve their bigger goals, the Good for Good Grants provide a welcome relief, and with the cost of living remaining a major hurdle for so many communities, there is added pressure on not-for-profits, especially in regional areas.
Queensland Youth Services was one of the 12 Good for Good recipients for 2023, receiving $28,390 to put towards constructing a 'Youth Shed' in Mount Isa to create a safe and engaging space for young people.
CEO of Queensland Youth Services, Wendy Lang, said the organisation was overjoyed to receive the Good for Good Grant, which will go a long way in helping the Mount Isa community.
"We are thankful for the opportunity to apply for the Good for Good grant. Our Mount Isa office works with youth who are transitioning from child safety and at risk of homelessness, disengaged from school, or at risk of offending behaviours.
"Similar to the concept of a men's shed, we were wanting to create a space where young people can engage in cultural knowledge or learn basic carpentry skills to enhance self-esteem and cultural identity, and provide positive and meaningful activities for youth to engage in," said Ms Lang.
Ms Lang believes the Youth Shed will serve as another opportunity for youth intervention in the Mount Isa community, which combined with other services, could assist in reducing the crime rate and improve the safety of all residents.
"We were very glad to receive applications from community groups in Mount Isa, as it holds a special place in our heart. As many know, we first started out in Mount Isa and with it being the 100th year anniversary of the town just last year, it's really special to be able to help an organisation deliver a project that will benefit many young people in the area," said Mr Newman.
The 12 recipients for 2023 included:
- Queensland Youth Services Inc in Mount Isa to build and run a Youth Shed for training and wellbeing.
- Cairns BMX Club Inc for an extension to the track
- Burdekin Singers & Theatre Co to cool the rehearsal and performance premises
- Saint Andrews Meals on Wheels Lower Burdekin Committee in Ayr for new kitchen benches to prepare meals and eskies to transport them
- QCWA Bowen Branch for external blinds on community centres
- Road Accident Action Group in Mackay to deliver increased road safety messaging over Christmas and Easter
- Proserpine Youth Club Inc to furnish the youth space and activities room after the cyclone in 2017 destroyed
- Capricornia Catchments Inc in Rockhampton to access needed recycling machinery for work in the environmental sector
- Althea Projects Inc in Townsville to purchase safety and sensory equipment for children in residential care
- Equipping for Life Limited in Brisbane to purchase a storage trailer for youth programs
- Days for Girls Australia Ipswich Team to purchase and create needed personal hygiene products
- SevGen Indigenous Corporation on the Sunshine Coast to create events hubs for environmental programs
