If you’re a local funder, donor, or board member in Bundaberg whether through a small foundation, business sponsorship, or community group it’s time to rethink how you support our region’s not-for-profits. For-purpose organisations can only make a lasting impact when they’re funded properly, and that means moving beyond just project grants or short-term funding.
Many local organisations are caught in what’s called the “starvation cycle.” This happens when groups are pressured to keep admin costs as low as possible to appear “efficient.” In reality, this underfunding of core operations, things like wages, systems, training, and evaluation limits their effectiveness and leads to burnout, instability, and missed opportunities.
Modern philanthropic thinking is shifting. Leading organisations now recognise that real impact requires funding the full cost including a fair share of overheads and multi-year investment in the people and structures behind the programs. These aren’t “extras”; they’re what keep programs safe, sustainable, and able to adapt to local needs.
Funders who truly want to see outcomes in Bundaberg need to start asking different questions. Instead of “What’s your overhead?” ask “What does it take to do this well and do it long-term?” Instead of “How much can you do with this amount?” ask “What would you do if you had enough?”
Trust-based funding relationships and flexible, longer-term investments build better partnerships and better results. When organisations are trusted and resourced properly, they can spend less time chasing grants and more time strengthening community outcomes.
If you’re on a local board, part of a funding panel, or making decisions about community donations start a conversation about paying what it takes.
Read the full Pay What It Takes report: PWIT-report-1.pdf
Written by Gayle Reynolds MBA (Co-Founder Welcome to Bundaberg).