Award Nominations Open to Honour Queensland’s Top Philanthropists
9 February 2012 at 4:02 pm
The Queensland Community Foundation (QCF) has opened nominations for the 2012 QCF Philanthropist of the Year Awards, which will recognise Queensland’s most generous individuals and business.
The Awards are part of the second annual QCF Philanthropy Week to be held 18-22 June 2012.
QCF Chairman Dr John de Groot encouraged Queenslanders from around the State to consider nominating someone they know.
“QCF Philanthropy Week is aimed at raising awareness about philanthropy, honouring those who make an outstanding contribution to the community and advancing support for the State’s charities and community service organisations through sustainable giving,” Dr de Groot said.
“Last year we received 31 high calibre nominations from around Queensland.
“This year, we hope to receive even more nominations from the community to recognise those
outstanding individuals and businesses that have made a significant contribution to help improve the lives of others.”
According to Dr de Groot, Australians are recognised worldwide for their generosity; however more needs to be done to continue to encourage individuals and corporate Australia to consider philanthropy as a natural way to thank and enrich society for the benefits they have received.
In 2011, Australia was placed third on the Charities Aid Foundation's World Giving Index. The UK-based organisation used a Gallup survey on the charitable behaviour of people in 153 countries representing 95 per cent of the world’s population.
According to the Index, the survey results indicated the link between happiness and giving is stronger than between wealth and giving.
Nominations are open for four categories including:
- QCF Junior Philanthropist of the Year – students from Years 7 to 12
- QCF Young Philanthropist of the Year – individuals 18 to 35 years
- QCF Community Philanthropist of the Year – individuals over 35 years
- QCF Corporate Philanthropist of the Year – contribution by corporate/business entity, acknowledged for outstanding corporate social responsibility.
Nominations close on Tuesday 1 May and winners will be announced at a lunch in Brisbane on Monday, June 18.
Award winners in each category will have the privilege of allocating a $2,000 sponsored donation to their charity of choice.
This year’s Philanthropy Week will also include the QCF’s annual photojournalism competition, which is seeking the best photograph representing the act of giving and/or the face of philanthropy.
All photographs shortlisted will be featured in a public exhibition to be held in the Brisbane Riverside Centre Foyer during QCF Philanthropy Week.
Photojournalism competition entries close Tuesday 1 May 2012.
The QCF is governed on a voluntary basis and comprises business, community and philanthropic leaders who give their time as a community service.
For more information about Philanthropy Week or to nominate someone for a Philanthropist of the Year award, visit the Queensland Community Foundation website.
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