Harcourts grants $50,000 to 13 charities

Since the Harcourts Foundation’s first donation in 2008, more than 1,000 grants have been made worldwide, with donations totalling more than $4.5 million.

The Harcourts Foundation co-ordinator Julia Eyles said giving back to the community is an important part of what Harcourts believes in. 

“With this round of funding, over $50,000 is going directly to the charities doing amazing work across Australia, and it will impact specific initiatives,” Ms Eyles said.

“We’re very proud of the fact that we can give 100 per cent of funds raised through the foundation with zero administrative fees.”

Harcourts franchise owners in each state nominate and support the organisations that contribute to the community. Additionally, Harcourts corporate team members are given the chance to nominate a specific charity for a grant as part of an initiative called ‘corporate choice grants’, while the Landmark Harcourts network also designates grant recipients.

To date, all funds have been raised by dedicated Harcourts team members and clients through fundraising events, auctions, workplace giving, individual donations or ‘off the top’ donations, where sales agents donate an amount from the sale of each property.

No management fees, salaries or running costs are taken from a donation account.

The foundation’s national board of directors, co-ordinator, accountant and regional ambassadors all donate their time and expertise, and 100 per cent of all funds raised go directly to the charities where they are needed most.

Beneficiaries

Create Foundation (National – Corporate Choice) – $1,000
The national consumer body for children and young people with an out-of-home care safety requirement.

Deakin University – National Centre for Farmer Health (Landmark Harcourts) – $4,000
National leadership to improve the health, wellbeing and safety of farm workers and their families.

Edmund Rice Camps NSW (National – Corporate Choice) – $1,000
Provides week-long, recreational holiday experiences for disadvantaged children to connect, learn social skills and develop positive relationships.

Gold Coast Hospital Foundation (Queensland) – $4,500
Supports sick and injured patients suffering distress and hardship in Gold Coast public hospitals and community health services.

Little Wings Ltd (New South Wales) – $8,880
Provides a free, safe and professional flight and ground transportation service for seriously ill children and their families from regional NSW.

Operation Flinders Foundation Inc. (South Australia) – $4,950
Transforms young at-risk people through world-leading evidence-based remote outback intervention programs.

Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association (Crestmead PCYC) (Queensland) – $5,000
Works toward the development of youth and family health and wellbeing through the provision of sport, recreation and welfare programs, and their affiliation with the Queensland Police Service.

Rebound WA (Western Australia) – $4,500
Helps people of all ages with a physical disability to recover from adversity.

Starting Over Support (National – Corporate Choice) – $1,000
Provides a safe and fulfilling new life to families and individuals escaping domestic violence and other crisis situations.

St Vincent De Paul Society SA - Fred's Van (South Australia) – $2,000
Feeds the homeless and marginalised at eight sites across metro Adelaide, and two regional sites at Port Lincoln and Port Pirie.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Association of SA (SIDS and Kids SA) (South Australia) –$1,000
Supports SA families who experience the sudden and unexpected death of a child during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood for 40 years.

The Mater Foundation/Smiling for Smiddy (Queensland and South Australia) – $8,017
Funds cancer research through a national program of cycling and triathlon challenge events. Mater was established in memory of triathlete Adam Smiddy who died from an aggressive melanoma at age 26.

Variety – the Children’s Charity Tasmania – (Tasmania) – $5,000
Enhances the lives of Tasmanian children and youth who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs through the provision of equipment and services.