Community development in Bundaberg isn’t just about programs, it is about relationships, infrastructure, and trust. Yet too often, funding models overlook what it really takes to build long-term, sustainable impact. The focus stays on short-term project outcomes, while the people and systems driving the change are left under-resourced.
If you’re a board member, donor, or local business supporting charities or social initiatives, now’s the time to reflect on your approach. Are you asking organisations to stretch themselves thin? Or are you helping them thrive?
The best funders and boards aren’t just focused on cost-per-output. They ask: What does this organisation need to succeed over the next five years? They back leadership, fund admin, and support the organisation as a whole, not just one project.
That’s the core idea behind the “Pay What It Takes” movement. It’s a shift from micro-managing budgets to backing the full cost of impact. It’s about recognising that frontline work depends on background systemsIT, HR, governance, and evaluation. Without these, organisations burn out or plateau.
For Bundaberg, this mindset matters. We need our local organisations to grow, adapt, and lead. That means providing multi-year funding, removing rigid budget restrictions, and trusting that local organisations know best how to allocate their resources.
If you’re on a board, ask your CEO: Are we receiving funding that lets us build a sustainable future or just scrape by? If you’re a funder, ask: Are we funding outcomes or just tasks?
Let’s make Bundaberg a place where for-purpose organisations are not just surviving but building the future we all want.
Explore these ideas further in the Pay What It Takes report: PWIT-report-1.pdf
Written by Gayle Reynolds MBA (Co-Founder Welcome to Bundaberg).