The Queensland Community Foundation (QCF) is looking for people in Toowoomba and the Darling Downs who contribute their time and money for the good of others.
Nominations are being sought for the Philanthropy Awards, a kind of ‘Oscars for Philanthropists’, run every year. The awards recognise those who have made an outstanding contribution to a charity or community service through donating time, money, or inspiring generosity in others.
The QCF was established over 20 years ago as an enduring source of funds to serve those in need. In 2015, a QCF sub-fund was established locally – the Toowoomba Regional Community Fund (TRCF). TRCF chair Joy Mingay said being generous in helping others is something we should all support and celebrate.
“Toowoomba people have an incredibly giving spirit, and we have a lot of local philanthropists who generously donate their time and money to help others,†she said. “The Awards honour community members and organisations throughout Queensland who make outstanding philanthropic contributions, and I’d love to see some nominees from our local region being recognised for their good work.”
2017 QCF SME Philanthropist of the Year was Hallmark Property from Toowoomba,were nominated by Vanguard Landry Services. I’m hoping to see more winners from the Darling Downs this year.â€Â Ms Mingay said nominations close on March 23, with the winners to be announced and presented at an event to be held in Brisbane in June.Â
There are five award categories:
§ Corporate Award – for a corporation or business (more than 200 employees) that has created a culture of philanthropy with their organisation and has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to philanthropy.
§ SME Award – this award recognises a small business (less than 200 employees) whose grass-roots level of charitable support has impacted the local community.
§ Community Award – recognises an outstanding individual, family or family foundation with a proven record of exceptional financial generosity and volunteer leadership to one or more Queensland based non-profit organisations. The recipient of this award will have the privilege of nominating a charity of their choice to receive a $2,000 donation sponsored by The Public Trustee.
§ Emerging Award – this award will honour an innovative, emerging philanthropist, team of students or giving circle, whose significant early achievements embody the qualities that define philanthropic excellence, including outstanding generosity and creativity. This Award is not about the biggest cheque, financial contribution, or largest public profile, and will recognise an individual, or a group of young people aged 17-35 years. The recipient of this award will be able to nominate a charity of their choice to receive a $2,000 donation sponsored by QIC.
§ Higher Education Award – the QCF Higher Education Philanthropist of the Year Award will recognise an outstanding individual, family or family foundation with a proven record of exceptional financial generosity and volunteer leadership to one or more Queensland based tertiary education institutions. The recipient of this award will be able to nominate a charity of their choice to receive a $2,000 donation sponsored by QUT.
Visit qcf.org.au for more information on the award categories and how to nominate.
 ABOUT THE QUEENSLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (QCF)
§ Launched in 1997, the QCF will distribute $2.5 million to charities in 2018.  A charitable trust, the QCF is a state leader in promoting philanthropy, and creates opportunities for non-profits to grow in the quest to deliver quality effective community services.
§ QCF celebrated their 20th anniversary last year. They have distributed over $20 million for charitable purposes since 1997, creating lasting change for more than 300 charities each year.
§ The QCF was established as an enduring source of funds to serve those in need. With QCF, your generosity can help generations to come. Donations are carefully managed, prudently invested and the income distributed to provide continuing support for local charitable causes.
§ The Founding Sponsors of the Queensland Community Foundation are QIC (owner of Grand Central) and The Public Trustee. Money given to the QCF is prudently managed by the Public Trustee of Queensland and Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), one of Australia’s leading investment advisors. Running costs are also met by these two sponsors.
ABOUT THE TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COMMUNITY FUND (TRCF)
- The Toowoomba Regional Community Fund provides an opportunity to give back and improve our local community in which we live and care about… to ‘give where you live’.
- It was launched in 2015, with Grand Central donating $50,000 over five years to the local fund.
- TRCF is aimed at strengthening the community by facilitating giving and by partnering with donors to build an enduring source of funding from which to support charitable projects.
- The regional grants program aims to support eligible charitable organisations providing local service delivery in areas such as aged care, family support, children, health and welfare, youth and arts.
- By donating and/or leaving a bequest to QCF for the Toowoomba Regional Community Fund you are helping create a lasting legacy.
- To find out more about how you can ‘give where you live’ contact QCF on 3360 3854 or email enquiries@qcf.org.au. All donations are tax-deductible.
Submitted by:
Diane Balke
Community Liaisons Manager
Grand Central Shopping Centre
Toowoomba
