03 October 2018

• Sydney Airport and Sydney Community Foundation’s 2018 ‘Bid for Good’ campaign raises $170,000, funding seven $10,000 grants and a major $100,000 grant
• Recipients include The International Shift, Bayside Women’s Shelter, Dandelion Support Network Inc, the Full Stop Foundation, the Harding Miller Education Foundation, Project Futures and the Bexley Playgroup
• Cana Communities has been named this year’s $100,000 grant recipient

Following this year’s ‘Bid for Good’ Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction, local charities will receive a number of grants to help them continue making a positive difference to the lives of people in need.

In partnership with the Sydney Community Foundation (SCF), this year’s Bid for Good campaign raised $170,000 through the sale of unclaimed items left in Sydney Airport’s terminals, funding a major $100,000 grant in addition to seven $10,000 grants for local grassroots charities.

Struggling young families, disadvantaged female students, women and children escaping domestic violence, refugees and victims of sex trafficking are among those who will benefit from the airport community’s generosity.

Cana Communities, an organisation supporting those suffering from homelessness and drug addiction, was recently announced as the recipient of the 2018 major $100,000 grant.

The International Shift, Bayside Women’s Shelter, Dandelion Support Network Inc, the Full Stop Foundation, the Harding Miller Education Foundation, Project Futures and the Bexley Playgroup will receive this year’s $10,000 grants.

Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert thanked the airport community for its ongoing support for the Lost Property Auction.

“Each of these charities makes an incredible difference to our local community and to the lives of people living in need,” he said.

“It was wonderful to see the airport community once again come together to support a great cause and raise $170,000 to help fund organisations delivering positive outcomes for those most vulnerable in our community.

“We’re delighted to announce this year’s grant recipients and we applaud each of them for the important work they undertake in our community.”

Sydney Community Foundation CEO Jane Jose said: “Bid for Good is a great demonstration of a corporate philanthropy partnership between Sydney Airport and Sydney Community Foundation, directing funds to people most in need in our city.

“There’s great need for the expansion of place-based giving to local programs by Sydney Corporates. Sydney Community Foundation commends the generosity of Sydney Airport and their inspired leadership in community philanthropy."

Bayside Women’s Shelter Marketing Director Sophie Panigirakis said the grant would help fund the completion of building works for a shelter opening later this year.

“We are so appreciative of Sydney Airport’s support for our shelter which will help local women and children escape domestic violence and homelessness,” she said.

“Your generous grant covers everything one woman needs including food, accommodation, transport and support to access doctors, counsellors and support services.”

Dandelion’s Partnership and Sustainability Officer, Sarah Mross, said: “These funds will allow us to provide more than 50 families in need with essential items for their babies and children. Thank you for your amazing support."

The Full Stop Foundation Executive Officer Karen Willis said the $10,000 grant would help provide additional training for counsellors.

“The SCF and Sydney Airport’s Bid for Good grant will enable our counsellors to participate in specialist trauma training,” she said.

“Counsellors will in turn use these skills to assist those who have experienced sexual violence to recover from the trauma”.

The Harding Miller Education Foundation’s Marisa Chilcott said: “This grant will support local students reach their full potential. The funds will be used to support 17 high-potential, disadvantaged girls at government schools by providing access to on-line homework help and funds for educational basics like books, stationary and uniforms.”

Project Futures CEO Clare Pearson said the Bid for Good grant would assist the organisation with its work supporting women and children affected by sex trafficking in Australia and Cambodia.

“This grant is of great significance to the communities we support, allowing them the tools, time and care to truly achieve independence and be able to actively contribute to their families and beyond,” she said.

“Thank you for this support, it is deeply appreciated and will be applied with thought and purpose."

The International Shift’s Project Founder and Director, Ravi Prasad, said: “Thank you to Sydney Community Foundation and Sydney Airport - this Bid For Good grant will make a significant difference to the lives of many. We can now look forward to scaling up our traineeship program and creating more pathways to participation and employment for asylum seekers, refugees and recent arrivals to Australia living in our community."

Bexley Playgroup’s Karen Elias said: “We were very pleased to find out that Bexley Playgroup is one of the very lucky recipients of a $10,000 Bid For Good grant. We are still stunned to be honest!”

Since 2013, the Bid for Good Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction has raised more than $1 million for charity, with funds distributed to a range of local and national charities.