REDLANDS disability-support organisation Fun Farm has received a $20,000 grant to help create more opportunities for connection, confidence and friendship.
Fun Farm, which supports people with disability, their families, carers and support networks, was among 20 Queensland organisations selected for the latest CommBank Staff Foundation Community Grants Program.
The funding forms part of a $400,000 Queensland investment, with 180 grassroots organisations nationally sharing $3.6 million.
Fun Farm representative Lynne Sturgess said the grant would make a meaningful difference to the organisation and the people it supports.
“This $20,000 grant will make a huge difference to Fun Farm and the community we support,” she said.
“We plan to use the funding to help deliver our inclusive events across the Redlands, including discos, karaoke nights, holiday activities, games nights and community outings.”
Founded from lived experience, Fun Farm was established to address the social isolation often experienced by people with disability and their families.
Its events are designed to provide a welcoming place where people can meet, build confidence, form friendships and feel part of their community.
Ms Sturgess said the funding would help cover practical costs while keeping activities affordable for participants and their families.
“The funding will help cover some of the practical costs involved in delivering these events, including venue hire and accessibility, entertainment and activity providers, equipment, food and refreshments, transport assistance, and program coordination,” she said.
“Importantly, it will help us continue to keep activities affordable and welcoming for our Fun Stars and their families.”
She said the value of Fun Farm’s work extended well beyond its social calendar.
“For us, it’s about much more than putting on events,” Ms Sturgess said.
“Fun Farm was created to reduce social isolation and give people with disability a safe and consistent place to connect, build friendships and feel that they belong.
“This funding gives us greater capacity to strengthen what we’re already doing and create more opportunities for connection across the community.”
CommBank Executive Manager Community Investment Nathan Barker said the grants backed organisations with a close understanding of where support was needed most.
“Behind each of these grants is an organisation that knows its community and understands where support can make a real difference,” he said.
“What makes Community Grants particularly meaningful is that these organisations are put forward by our people, often because they volunteer with them, know their work personally or have seen the impact they are having in their local community.”
The Community Grants program is delivered through the CommBank Staff Foundation, a workplace-giving initiative started by Comm-Bank employees in 1917.
More than 12,000 employees contribute from their pay each fortnight, with their donations matched by CommBank.
Since the grants program began in 2007, the foundation has awarded more than $40 million to organisations supporting communities around Australia.
