QR National announces cash grant fund for community projects
QR National has announced the establishment of a community fund targeted at grassroots community projects in regional and rural Australia.
The ongoing program will encourage eligible charitable organisations to seek grant funding up to $20,000 for specific community-based projects.
The national rail freight company’s Managing Director & CEO Lance Hockridge today unveiled details of the ‘QR National Community Giving Fund’ – a program of cash grants aimed at providing a helping hand to charities and organisations in need.
“This is about giving back to the communities where our employees live and work”, he said.
“The majority of our 9,000 strong workforce is based in regional and rural areas and that’s where the focus will be with this Fund.
“When we decided to set up the Fund, we went to our employees to understand what was important to them in their local communities and they recommended three areas to focus on – Health and Wellbeing, Community Safety and Education. So they are the areas we want to support through the grants.”
QR National will work in conjunction with the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Australia to provide two grant rounds per year.
Mr Hockridge says QR National has a long, proud connection with regional and rural Australia and the new Fund will celebrate and support those ties.
“It’s about locals giving locally to provide a helping hand in the community,” he said.
“QR National as a company has a strong corporate social responsibility and we believe in supporting local communities through a grassroots approach.
“We know through our employee surveys that our people are already involved with scores of community-based charities and worthwhile projects.
“That’s the type of work we want to assist and that’s why employees will be instrumental to the ongoing success of the Fund.
“Our people live and work in these towns and cities and we want to ensure that these communities remain vibrant and strong,” he said.
Eligible charities can apply online at www.qrnational.com.au . Applications for the first round will close 5pm (AEDST) Monday 31st October 2011.
The QR National Community Giving Fund is a foundation account within the CAF Community Fund.