May saw the inaugural United Way Queensland’s Community Partner Forum generously sponsored by Stella Hospitality Group at Mantra Southbank. The event brought Community Partners together to learn more about working with the corporate sector to understand corporate CSR programs and to maximise income generation.

  

United Way Queensland’s CEO, Sandra Nugent, introduced the new Community Impact model and how it applies to United Way Queensland’s work with Corporate and Community Partners. Adopted by United Ways nationally the Community Impact model is a strategy for improving lives by emphasising a community level solution to create lasting change. Rather than a band-aid approach, it is about mobilizing all sectors, systems, networks, organizations, and others that can play a role in improving lives in our communities to create positive lasting impact.

Dr Cameron Nugent, from the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Not for Profit Studies, QUT, “Staying Focussed and Adaptable in Turbulent Times”. Cameron’s presentation was certainly timely in this economic climate, which currently creates additional challenges for the not for profit sector. His paper addressed organisational culture and change: the steps an organisation can take to develop a proactive, adaptable culture; how to be organised and prepared for contingencies. Cameron demonstrated how, in changing times an organisation can develop a culture to align with the expectations of funding bodies – turning perceptions of threat into opportunities.

Jo Garner, Director, Grant Seeking Solutions, developed a practical step by step process for building good relationships with funding bodies. The presentation covered organisational readiness, basic rules for writing applications and the importance of evaluation and reporting. As Jo says, ‘Philanthropic bodies make grants so that their Trust or Foundation’s mission can be realised in the community. You need to demonstrate how your organisation can do this and do it well!’

Community Partners Di Fletcher, BABI (Bayside Youth and Family Support) and Richard Langford, Brisbane Youth Service ,shared the experiences of their organisations and the benefits of the ongoing partnership with United Way Queensland.

Stella Hospitality Group created an opportunity for UWQ to support its Community Partners and we thank them for their generosity.