More than 120 community groups including Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge, LifeFlight Foundation Ltd and Millwell Road Community Centre Inc will receive a helping hand and support towards their operational funding this financial year thanks to $916,385 in council funding.
It comes after Sunshine Coast Council today endorsed new additions* to the Community Partnership Funding Program 2020 at today's (20 August) Ordinary Meeting following an Expressions of Interest period earlier this year.
The Community Partnership Funding Program has a strong focus on partnerships and is only available to established not-for-profit community organisations.
Community Portfolio Councillor David Law said the funding was instrumental in partnering with community groups to provide facilities and services that support the delivery of council's key priorities.
"We are committed to building resilient, engaged, strong and healthy communities as well as connecting people and places," Cr Law said.
"Our Sunshine Coast Community Strategy aims to strengthen connection, inclusion and opportunity for all people in our community so I'm glad to see so many groups from across the region benefit from this program.
"This can assist community groups with eligible costs including insurances, communications, electricity, waste management, water, security, regular cleaning, rent and rates.
"That can make a big difference with the overall bigger picture and the longevity of these groups, plus the flow-on effect it has with the important work they do to help our communities thrive."
Ed Catchpole (pictured) has been president of the Millwell Road Community Centre Inc for more than 20 years.
He said the funding would greatly assist the largely volunteer-run centre that only reopened this month (10 August) due to COVID-19 closures.
"It really helps us with a range of costs the centre incurs including insurance, electricity, rubbish disposal and cleaning," Mr Catchpole said.
"The centre is really popular with birthday and engagement parties and even weddings.
"We also cater for a lot of community groups including calisthenics, karate, fencing and breastfeeding associations."
Other community groups receiving ongoing support this year include:
Australian Volunteer Coastguard Assoc Inc QF 6 Mooloolaba - $15,000
Buderim War Memorial Community Association Inc - $15,000
Food and Agribusiness Network Limited - $7500
Kawana Chamber of Commerce - $10,000.
The Community Partnership Funding Program provides up to three years of funding towards operational expenses for successful applicants – 2020/21 is the final year of the current three year cycle of the program and will deliver $916,385 to community groups this financial year. The total amount of funding for the three years is $2,705,299.
The Program offers partnerships under the following five categories:
- Community Development
- Community Facilities
- Community Safety
- Cultural Heritage
- Economic Development.
