Queensland Gives

20/10/2026

We’re proud to support Volunteering Queensland’s 2026 Queensland Volunteering Conference.

This year’s theme, 'Volunteering for Sustainable Futures', brings the sector together to share ideas, build capability and explore how volunteering can create lasting community impact.

Our CEO Tara Castle will join a panel discussion exploring how organisations can demonstrate the value of volunteering through evidence, data, and storytelling.

The theme closely aligns with Queensland Community Foundation’s 2027 Grant Round: Investing in Capacity Building for Volunteers with Queensland Charities.

We know that investing in the skills, leadership and support of volunteers can help charities build their capacity and strengthen their impact for the long term.

Haven’t secured your tickets yet? There’s still time! Tickets close today, so don’t miss out. https://lnkd.in/gkr35w2

Interested in applying for a grant? Click here to find out more: https://qcf.org.au/grants/

Together, we’re helping build stronger volunteer-involving organisations and more resilient communities across Queensland.

13/10/2026

During a recent site visit to St John’s Crisis Centre on the Gold Coast, Queensland Community Foundation (QCF) Gold Coast Committee member Christine saw firsthand the incredible work being done to support individuals and families experiencing hardship.

For more than 40 years, the centre has provided nourishing meals, emergency relief and support services with compassion, dignity and respect.

The QCF Gold Coast Committee awarded a $30,000 grant to St John’s Crisis Centre to help fund essential kitchen upgrades, including new flooring, waterproofing and the replacement of outdated refrigeration rooms.

These improvements will help ensure the centre can continue safely providing more than 45,000 meals and school lunches each year to people experiencing crisis.

Christine was deeply moved by the care and commitment of the team:

“I am completely in awe of the community services provided at St John’s Crisis Centre, which are given with unrelenting kindness and love. It’s a non-denominational charity providing free nourishing high quality meals, emergency relief and support services for the disadvantaged on the Gold Coast. They think of everything down to the most basic human need and deliver giving it with great dignity and respect.”

Through the generosity of our community, QCF s is proud to support organisations making a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.

💙 Learn more about the vital work of St John’s Crisis Centre: https://stjohnscc.org.au/about/what-we-do/

12/10/2026

A few more moments from our 2026 Gold Coast Community Foundation Sunset Chat! 🌅

Last Thursday’s evening at Kurrawa Surf Club brought together generous supporters and inspiring local changemakers to celebrate the power of giving and the difference it makes in our community.

Thanks to everyone who joined us.

Here are a few more highlights from a wonderful evening of connection, conversation and community impact.

09/10/2026

Last night, we brought together inspiring philanthropic leaders, community supporters and local changemakers for the 2026 Gold Coast Community Foundation Sunset Chat at Kurrawa Surf Club.

Hosted by media personality Emily Jade O'Keeffe, the evening featured a moving conversation with Soheil and Anne Abedian and Sonia Stradiotto about their giving journeys, what inspires their generosity and the difference we can make when we invest in our communities.

We also celebrated the incredible work of our 2026 Gold Coast Community Foundation grant recipients: LIVIN, OzHarvestGold Coast, Baby Give Back, Surfers Paradise Anglican Crisis Care Inc, Gold Coast Community Fund, StandbyU Foundation and Integra Service Dogs Australia.

These organisations are helping strengthen the wellbeing, safety, inclusion and resilience of Gold Coast communities — and hearing their stories was a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

Thanks to the generosity of everyone who attended and contributed, we raised $5,450 to support community giving across the Gold Coast. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our speakers, supporters, raffle prize donors and event partner, Kurrawa Surf Club, for helping make the evening so meaningful.

Established in 1999 with an initial $10,000, the Gold Coast Community Foundation has now distributed more than $611,000 in grants to 111 grassroots charities and not-for-profit organisations across the region.

And the opportunity to make a difference doesn’t end with one evening.

You, too, can help create lasting community impact through a donation, by establishing a sub-fund to support a cause you care about, or by leaving a gift in your Will.

Because a stronger community starts with people who care enough to give.

Here are a few moments from last night. More photos coming soon!

07/10/2026

We’re excited to be at the Queensland Law Society Succession and Elder Law Conference! ⚖️

Seana and Zoe are on deck at the Queensland Community Foundation exhibitor desk, connecting with legal professionals and sharing how charitable giving can be part of a meaningful legacy.

With succession planning, wills and estates at the heart of this conference, it’s a great opportunity to talk about how a gift to a cause that matters can make a lasting difference to Queensland communities.

If you’re attending, come and say hello to Seana and Zoe. They’d love to meet you! 👋

06/10/2026

We’re loving the new Brisbane 2032 emblem – and not just because it’s proudly Queensland.

With its vibrant colours, sweeping shapes and unmistakable sense of energy, we’re seeing some familiar DNA.

Perhaps we’re looking at a long-lost Queensland Community Foundation cousin?

Same vibrant colours, same sense of movement, same Queensland spirit 💛🧡🩷

01/10/2026

Over $1.8 million in grants is available!

Queensland Community Foundation has launched its biggest-ever grants program, supporting DGR1-registered charities and communities to build strong, vibrant, and resilient communities across Queensland.

We know the incredible difference charities make every day. Reducing disadvantage, strengthening connections, and creating brighter futures.

This record-breaking grant round is designed to give Queensland charities, communities and causes the support they need to keep doing what they do best: changing lives.

The Queensland Community Foundation 2026/27 grant round includes:
🔹 General Fund - Organisational Capacity Building
up to $40,000 to boost capacity, skills, and systems.
🔹 Regional Grants
Up to $30,000 for community projects in Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Northern Queensland, and the Gulf that create lasting local impact.

📅 Applications open 1 October and close 11 December 2026.

If you’re a Queensland charity with DGR1 status, we strongly encourage you to apply. This is an opportunity to secure funding that can help strengthen your organisation and make a real difference in your community.

📌 Find full grant guidelines and application details at www.qcf.org.au

We’re also using a new grants platform this year, which we hope will make the application process easier and more straightforward.

If you have any questions or need help with your application, please contact Seana at [email protected].

30/09/2026

Queensland Community Foundation and Queensland Gives are entering the next stage in the evolution of our organisations, creating new opportunities to grow generosity and support Queensland communities.

So, what's changing?

Moving forward, Queensland Gives and Queensland Community Foundation will have clearer, complementary roles, working together towards one shared purpose.

🌿 Queensland Gives is our engagement organisation. We inspire generosity, connect with donors and communities, share stories of impact, and create opportunities for people to give.

🌿 Queensland Community Foundation is the charitable trust where funds are donated and held. Queensland Public Trustee and the Board of Governors provide trusted stewardship of these funds, with QIC managing the investments. The income generated is distributed through grants to communities across Queensland.

Our shared commitment to growing generosity and creating lasting community impact remains at the heart of everything we do.

What does this mean for you?

The clarification of the organisations' roles does not change your existing Queensland Community Foundation donation or sub-fund. The Queensland Gives team will continue to support donors, partners and communities, while Queensland Community Foundation continues its role as the charitable trust.

You'll continue to see stories and opportunities from both organisations, reflecting their distinct roles and shared commitment to Queensland communities.

Find out more about our evolution and why we're taking this step:https://queenslandgives.org.au/wp-content/uploads/1-Queensland-Gives-and-Queensland-Community-Foundation-Changes-Explained.pdf

Be sure to follow Queensland Community Foundation on Facebook: Queensland Community Foundation

28/09/2026

Monday blues got you down?

We’ve got four pretty good things to dream about… and one could be yours!

Enter the For the Love of the Gold Coast 2026 Raffle for your chance to win one of these amazing prizes:

🌊 Lady Elliot Island Reef Day Tour for two
A day in paradise with return scenic flights from Coolangatta, snorkelling, a glass-bottom boat tour, lunch and more. Valued at $2,260!

👔 The Ultimate Tailored Experience at Fitting Room Tailoring
A $500 gift card towards a tailor-made suit, $100 towards customised shoes and $200 towards alterations. Valued at $800!

🥤 Ninja Professional Frozen Drink Maker
No ice, no blending, no hassle — just 2.6L of frozen-drink fun. Valued at $479!

🍻 $100 Padre Brewery voucher
A great excuse to check out the Gold Coast’s newest craft brewery in Miami.

And while you’re dreaming about which prize you’d love to win, your ticket is helping support the community too. 💛

Proceeds will be shared 50/50 between the Gold Coast Community Fund and Queensland Community Foundation, supporting local initiatives and helping meet the needs of our community now and forever.

🎟️ $20 for 1 ticket | $50 for 3 | $100 for 8

📆 Drawn Thursday 8 October at 7pm at the Queensland Community Foundation Gold Coast Sunset Celebration.

Get your tickets: https://shorturl.at/goY5J

A little Monday dreaming could turn into something pretty special.

Raffle supporting Gold Coast Community Fund and Queensland Gives - Win a trip to Lady Elliott Island!

25/09/2026

🎉 The countdown is on!

Applications for the 2027 Queensland Community Foundation Grant Round opens on 1 October.

This year, the General Fund theme is: Investing in Capacity Building for Volunteers with Queensland Charities

Whether you're looking to build volunteer skills, improve systems, strengthen governance, or enhance the support you provide to volunteers, now is the time to start thinking about how funding could help your organisation build capacity and increase its impact.

✨ And there’s more! Eligible organisations can apply across all six QCF grant programs, with one application in each grant category.

Head to the QCF website to explore the programs and check your eligibility: qcf.org.au/grants/

Have questions? We'd love to help. You can contact Grants Manager Seana Osbourne for more information at [email protected]