Fresh funding to help make a difference

A beloved animal rescue organisation, a passionate music group providing an accessible community facility and a forum uniting our manufacturers are among those set to receive a funding boost for up to three years. 

In an almost $1.2 million win for the community, at today’s (August 29) ordinary meeting Sunshine Coast Council approved Community Partnership Funding to help 144 not-for-profit groups continue to thrive.

4 Paws Animal Rescue is a returning partner to the program and were thrilled to receive operational support.  

President Julie Penlington said the funding would be a great help in carrying out their mission of providing a refuge for homeless dogs and cats on the Sunshine Coast.

“It helps us pay our vet bills and means we can continue rescuing more dogs and cats, working with Council to take dogs from the pound and assisting others unable to care for their pets, including people experiencing homelessness,” Ms Penlington said.

“We are grateful to Council for their support in helping us care for animals and working with us to help educate the community about being a responsible pet owner.”

Supporting those who support others

Returning to the program is the Nambour and Maroochy District Band Inc, responsible for the Nambour Band Hall which offers safe, inclusive and accessible spaces for meetings and classes as well as for band rehearsals and lessons for the local community.

Committee President Kevin Hamer said receiving the funding would help address soaring costs and enable them to remain sustainable over the coming years.

“Receiving this funding has released the pressure valve so we can continue to maintain our hall and make it available for the broader community,” Mr Hamer said.

“We thank the Sunshine Coast Council funding program for their support.”

New to the program is the Manufacturing Excellence Forum (MEF) – Sunshine Coast. An organisation focused on enhancing the local manufacturing sector through innovation, collaboration and sustainability.

Director Tim Kelly said running a not-for-profit industry group was difficult, but also extremely rewarding.

“We see significant progress on a weekly basis with local manufacturing businesses growing, exporting, taking on new projects, developing new products, and creating new and highly skilled jobs,” Mr Kelly said.

“These manufacturers and advanced technology hardware companies are creating the future jobs and opportunities for the next generation of STEM inclined Sunshine Coast young people.

“This is a key part of reversing the brain-drain we often experience at school and university graduation and is critical in continually improving the quality of jobs and the general prosperity we enjoy in our part of the country.”

He said the funding allowed MEF Sunshine Coast to connect and enable the manufacturing community in ways that aren’t otherwise possible.

“The result of which is a return on investment in an economic sense of more than 30 to 1, but also has significant environmental, cultural and social benefits as well.”

Helping community organisations build better futures

Strong Community Portfolio Cr David Law said the program played a vital role in ensuring the long-term stability of many local organisations.

“The benefits these groups provide to our community is immeasurable and this funding helps ensure their continued operations and sustainability,” Cr Law said.

“Recipients receive funding in-line with Council priorities, community need and benefit, planning and delivery, organisational capacity and budget.

“Organisations can apply in five categories including community development, community facilities, community safety, cultural heritage and economic development.”

Fellow Strong Community Portfolio Cr Taylor Bunnag congratulated the groups and thanked them for making our region an even better place to live.  

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our community, working tirelessly both in public and behind the scenes, and these funds support them to continue supporting others,” Cr Bunnag said.

“Our grants program is a great example of how on the Sunshine Coast we’re connecting and engaging with our communities to build a better future for everyone.” 

The Community Partnership Funding Program launched in 2010 to provide funding certainty to community groups by granting up to three years of funding for operational expenses, the most difficult funding type to secure externally.

The full list of program funding recipients and more information can be found on Council’s website.