A string of community groups across North Queensland will benefit from the Community Benefit Fund administered by Townsville Airport – with cash grants of $1,000 up for grabs.

For the fourth consecutive year, the program is awarding cash grants to support initiatives in the categories of health and wellbeing, community safety, education, environment and sustainability, arts and culture. This year, the airport is also calling for initiatives aimed at supporting local indigenous communities or enhancing indigenous cultural awareness.

The Community Benefit Fund is run by the airport’s parent company, Queensland Airports Limited (QAL), which has supported about 150 groups and initiatives since 2016, providing more than $150,000 in funding.

Townsville Airport Chief Operating Officer Kevin Gill said the airport was committed to advancing the greater North Queensland region and the Community Benefit Fund was an important part of that focus.

“This fund is well suited to schools, sporting clubs, charities, community support services and surf clubs,” he said.

“In the past we have supported everything from the creation of communal vegetable gardens to kitting out local sports teams.

“Applications can be made online and take less than an hour – we understand many of these local groups are run by volunteers and don’t have the resources to produce sponsorship proposals that take hours to develop.

“We are looking forward to hearing about more of the great things Townsville's community groups are doing and supporting as many of them as we can.

“Last year we supported close to 50 initiatives across the group, which represented about half of the applications received.”

To receive a $1,000 grant, groups need to demonstrate their ability to deliver positive outcomes in at least one of the nominated funding categories.

Applications for this year’s Community Benefit Fund are open from 9 May – 23 June 2019.  

For more information and to apply, visit www.townsvilleairport.com.au/community/community-benefit-fund

QAL is an accomplished airport operator that owns and operates Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports. An Australian-owned company, QAL is committed to delivering for the communities where it operates.

The Community Benefit Fund was established in 2016, providing more than $50,000 a year in support to grassroots events and initiatives.

In addition, the group supports more than 70 local community, business, environmental and tourism initiatives and events across Queensland, northern NSW, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach through corporate sponsorship.

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