12 April 2019

• Sydney Airport and Sydney Community Foundation’s 2019 Bid for Good campaign launches today
• Local charities supporting people in suburbs surrounding Sydney Airport encouraged to apply for grants valued at up to $100,000
• Funds will be raised through the Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction from 19 August 2019

Sydney Airport and Sydney Community Foundation today launched the 2019 Bid for Good campaign, a joint initiative that raises funds each year to help local grassroots charities around Sydney Airport.

At the inner city shelter of Cana Communities, the 2018 major grant recipient, Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert and Sydney Community Foundation CEO Jane Jose called on local charities to submit applications for 2019 Bid for Good grants.

“We’re delighted to partner with Sydney Community Foundation for the third year to deliver the Bid for Good Lost Property Auction program,” Mr Culbert said.

“Our aim is to support and strengthen our local communities so I encourage local charities to get their applications in for this year’s grant funding.

“Last year, the auction raised $170,000 for eight local charities whose work helps struggling young families, disadvantaged female students, women and children escaping domestic violence, victims of sex trafficking and homelessness.”

The 2019 Lost Property Auction will be held from 19 August and, as in previous years, a $100,000 grant will be awarded in addition to a range of smaller grants.

“The auction not only raises much-needed funds for worthy causes but it’s also a lot of fun,” Mr Culbert said.

“Every year we get a few surprising items. The most intriguing item last year was a pair of crutches. As the passenger was boarding how did they not realise they were missing their crutches? The crutches ended up selling at auction for one dollar, but every dollar counts towards benefiting really meaningful causes.”

Sydney Community Foundation CEO Jane Jose described Sydney Airport’s unique program of giving back locally as a great example of philanthropic partnership.

“Brilliant corporate support like this assists Sydney Community Foundation’s mission to build stronger Sydney communities by enabling the work of passionate local changemakers. We enable Sydney Airport to do their local giving with greater community impact.

“Over the last two years together we’ve granted $320,000 to fourteen incredible projects, making a difference to lives one by one in our community.” Ms Jose said.

As part of today’s 2019 Bid for Good launch, charities who received grants from the 2018 Lost Property Auction were also celebrated.

Cana Communities received the major $100,000 grant last year and they are using the funds to help ongoing work supporting those suffering from homelessness, drug addiction and mental illness.

In addition, a further seven grants of $10,000 were given in 2018:

• The International Shift, based in Erskineville, to support its traineeship program creating pathways to participation and employment for asylum seekers, refugees and recent arrivals to Australia living in our community
• Bayside Women’s Shelter, to help fund the completion of building works for a new shelter
• Dandelion Support Network in Caringbah to provide essential items for the babies and children of more than 50 struggling families
• Full Stop Foundation in Drummoyne to fund additional specialist trauma counselling training to assist those who have experienced sexual violence
• The Harding Miller Education Foundation in Balmain to help 17 high-potential, disadvantaged girls at government schools by providing access to online homework help and funds for educational basics like books, stationary and uniforms
• Project Futures to help fund work supporting women and children affected by human trafficking in Australia and Cambodia
• Gymea Community Aid and Information Service to help fund its work bringing dignity, self-reliance and wellbeing to people across the Sutherland Shire

“I want to congratulate all of the charities who successfully applied for the Bid for Good grants and wish you the best of luck for the roll out of your programs over the next year,” Mr Culbert said.

Organisations with DGR1 status undertaking work to support the lives of people in need across Sydney are invited to apply for the Bid for Good 2019 grants.

Eligible programs should be able to demonstrate successful and innovative initiatives that support people living in suburbs surrounding Sydney Airport. The four key areas of priority include arts and culture, education and employment, women and girls and community cohesion.

Applications close at midnight on 1 June 2019. For information on selection criteria and to apply, visit the Bid for Good page on the Sydney Community Foundation website.