Brisbane residents donated more than $112,500 to the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust in the past six months through their quarterly $15 rates discount.
The $15 “pay on time” discount is applied to every residents’ rates bill with an option to donate the payment to vulnerable residents through the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust.
16 local charities today benefitted through the Ratepayer Charitable Support Grant, as a result of this incredible generosity.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner joined Lady Mayoress and Chair of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust Nina Schrinner to present the grants at an intimate ceremony in Brisbane City Hall.
The local charities support vulnerable residents struggling with a wide range of social and community issues, including people experiencing homelessness, victims of domestic violence, and people living with illness and disability.
The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust has supported Brisbane’s community since the 1950s and has donated to more than $700,000 through the Ratepayer Charitable Support grant since it began in 2020.
Through fundraising and community collections, the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust also runs four other grant rounds annually.
For more information about Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust, visit www.lmct.org.au.
Quote attributable to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner
“Brisbane is a city that cares and this is evident in the most recent Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust grant round.
“We know costs are continuing to rise and that’s why we’re stepping up to support our most vulnerable.
“The Trust couldn’t support these charities without the generous residents who opt to give their rates discount to the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust.
“Every dollar donated goes to a local charity that’s supporting vulnerable people in our community and for that residents should feel incredibly proud.”
Quotes attributable to the Chair of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust Nina Schrinner
“The need in our community has never been greater and I want to sincerely thank the generous residents who donated to this grant round.
“This funding will support young mums struggling with the cost of essential baby items, it will purchase critical medical equipment for people living with life-limiting illnesses and it will provide nourishing meals for people sleeping rough.
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone who showed their kindness, compassion and generosity to the people in our community who need it most.”
CHARITY PROFILES
139 CLUB | 3rd SPACE
At their Brunswick Street location, 3rd Space support hundreds of individuals daily who are experiencing hardships by offering a range of services such as meals, showers, washing facilities, medical and health services plus many more.
This funding will be used to restore a previously overgrown and rundown outdoor area to provide further safe spaces at their location for patrons to enjoy.
BABY GIVE BACK
Baby Give Back provides essential items such as cots, prams, car seats, clothing and baby supplies to families in crisis – to ensure children’s basic needs and safety is met.
This grant will provide various baby necessities such as nursing pads, creams, baby wipes, wraps, and clothing – assisting families in need with limited access to these life essentials.
BESTLIFE INC
BestLife provides Brisbane’s only planned and supported pathway to a more independent life for small groups of young people with disability.
After securing a fantastic property BestLife Inc sought grant funding to assist with the costs of appliances and furniture to make this location a positive and safe place for their clients to utilise and are seeking independence in their lives.
CARE KITS FOR KIDS QLD INC
Care Kits for Kids provide backpacks of clothing, toiletries, school supplies, books and quilts, for children in care or crisis.
With the demand being higher than ever, Care Kits for Kids will provide a further 1,000 new backpacks full of clothing, toiletry and education essentials for kids in care or crisis.
CHAPLAINWATCH INC
ChaplainWatch Inc has served the Brisbane community since 2001 with their Night Watch Chaplains, who proactively patrol the entertainment precincts of the city, watching out for anyone in crisis, at risk, or in need of assistance.
To ensure the safety and visibility of the wonderful Night Watch members patrolling our entertainment precincts, this funding will allow the purchase of an Identification card printer. Being able to identify themselves to patrons who are at time intoxicated, ensures their safety as well as the ones they are assisting.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS QUEENSLAND
Cystic Fibrosis QLD support and raise awareness by offering financial, emotional, and physical support to those facing this disease daily.
Cystic Fibrosis will use their grant to purchase nebulisers as part of their ‘Fight to Breathe’ program to assist children with their lung capacity at 30% or less.
DAYS FOR GIRLS AUSTRALIA | NEW CHARITY
Days for Girls is an organisation that provides a safe and supportive community for likeminded individuals to come together and socialise whilst sewing and curating menstrual kits together for females who do not always have regular access to these hygiene necessities.
This grant will allow this amazing group to come together in a supportive environment to create an additional 50 additional packs
FISHERS OF MEN | NEW CHARITY
Fishers of Men is an organisation that offer practical and spiritual services for those vulnerable members of our communities who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, addiction, food insecurity or even those experiencing isolation and mental health issues.
FOM already deliver over 400 meals weekly with these meals sometimes being the only nutritious food many of these patrons manage to consume in that week. These funds will ensure they are able to continue to deliver these much-needed services – as the demand has never been higher!
HEARTS OF PURPLE
Hearts of Purple is run by a group of dedicated volunteers that all shared a personal experience with domestic violence. They work with high-risk victims by securing safety devices to the clients, provide accommodation, dress and feed clients and connect them with essential services.
With this grant they will assist 14 more victims and their families that have been identified as in high-risk situations, by installing security cameras into their homes as safety measures.
NATURE FREEDOM | NEW CHARITY
Nature Freedom create inclusive and accessible nature-based outdoor activities to facilitate community engagement. They are dedicated to expanding access to nature experiences for diverse communities, especially individuals with disabilities.
Nature Freedom will be holding one of their inclusive events in July, utilising the grant funding to ensure those from different communities are able to participate without the financial stresses or accessibility constraints.
NEXUS CARE
Nexus Care support people experiencing hardship in Brisbane by providing food relief, financial emergency relief, career coaching services, and community connection initiatives, showing acceptance and dignity to all.
To meet the significantly increased demand for their ‘fresh start food’ program, Nexus Care will use this funding to supplement the gap and ensure they are able to continue supporting all of those seeking their assistance.
OPEN HAVEN LTD
Open Haven provides practical crisis and recovery support throughout their 3 domestic violence hub locations including food, housing, independence, financial and legal support.
For many of those escaping domestic violence, independence and mobility is a vital step to regaining their confidence and life back. Through their ‘Drive to Thrive’ program, Open Haven will be able to assist a number of women with driving lessons and their test with the funding from this grant round.
PICABEEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC
Picabeen Community Association facilitates community engagement through a wide range of services and activities such as emergency, youth services and support projects for the local community.
This funding will go towards their ‘Social Connection Session’ program that creates a weekly drop in space for young people aged between 12 – 18 who are disengaged from mainstream school, with a safe and inclusive place offering connection and support.
RIZEUP LIMITED
RizeUp is a community-driven organisation dedicated to supporting the families affected by domestic and family violence through life changing practical support.
This grant will purchase vital furniture such as children’s bed frames, mattresses and linen for many families and children who have fled from violent situations and don’t otherwise have safe spaces to seek refuge.
ROYAL BRISBANE AND WOMEN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
RBWH Foundation support patient care and life-saving research through several different initiatives.
This funding will provide essential clothing, footwear and toiletries to First Nations patients seeking assistance at the RBWH emergency department.
THE LADY MUSGRAVE TRUST
The Lady Musgrave Trust is Queensland’s oldest charity, operating for 139 years! They provide practical support and services to young women and children who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Following the success of their ‘The Handy Guide’ of Women’s Support Services in Brisbane and the ever-growing number of people requiring assistance – this grant help fund the reprint of their handy guide assisting those going through various hardships and needing a helping hand. This guide is also available online.
