Queensland Airports Limited Launches 2024 Community Benefit Fund

2024-04-24

Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) is giving local community groups the chance to share in more than $50,000 in grants with the launch of its 2024 Community Benefit Fund.

QAL owns and operates Gold Coast Airport, Townsville Airport, Mount Isa Airport and Longreach Airport.

The fund, now in its sixth year, has provided more than a quarter of a million dollars to local communities across the Gold Coast and Northern NSW, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach regions.

The initiative, which supports community projects within the regions that QAL operates, has narrowed its focus areas this year to initiatives targeting environment and sustainability, accessibility and indigenous affairs.

QAL Chief Strategy, Sustainability and People Officer Shannon McFadden said the categories reflect the focus areas of QAL’s airports and are designed to support initiatives with similar ambitions across their communities.

“As an airport group we’ve committed to NetZero by 2030, and are on a mission to become the most accessible airport group in the country and so we want our local communities to join us on this journey,” she said.

“Our airports are a crucial part of the community fabric, and we recognise the important role we play in supporting the advancement of our regions,” Ms McFadden said.

“This is an opportunity for us to support grassroots initiatives and local groups who may not have the resourcing to compete for corporate sponsorship funding.

“Since we first launched the Community Benefit Fund in 2016, we’re proud to have delivered more than $250,000 across our regions,” she added.

This year, while the Community Benefit Fund’s focus areas are narrowing, the funding parameters are expanding to allow for grants of up to $5,000 with the option of a multi-year deal for suitable applicants.

“We know that consistency of funding is a key challenge for community groups, which is why we’re giving applicants the opportunity to secure up to $5,000 for three consecutive years.

We welcome local groups focused on making improvements in the areas of environment and sustainability, accessibility or indigenous affairs to apply – it could be for a new wheelchair ramp, organising a new event, or support to launch a sustainability initiative,” Ms McFadden said.

Further information on eligibility and the application process can be found on the website – https://www.qldairports.com.au/community/community-benefit-fund

Applications close on Friday 24 May 2024.