Successful Grants

14/10/2026

After seven years of helping Sunshine Coast businesses prepare their award applications, Successful Grants has finally dipped its toe in the water and thrown our own hat in the ring at the 2026 Sunshine Coast Business Awards.

Our claim to fame is a 100% record of getting our clients to finalist status in every award we’ve written for. So when the finalists were announced this year, I wiped a bead of sweat off my brow - every one of our clients made it through, and so did we.

Last week was our judging interview. The presentation was nerve-wracking, but we got it done in the nine minutes, didn’t forget anything (well, we think we didn’t), and question time was smooth. Most of the questions were about what a grants consultant does and how we work - which is fair, because a lot of what we do happens behind the scenes.

A grant or award writer’s job is to shine a light on someone else. We dig into a business’s story, its numbers and its impact, and help them say it clearly and confidently to the people who matter. When it goes well, the trophy sits on THEIR shelf, not ours - and that’s how it should be.

We don’t put clients forward for a participation award. We go in aiming to win, every time.

Being on the other side of the judging table this year has given me even more respect for the business owners we work with who put themselves out there.

A big thanks to the Successful Grants team, Tennille, Julia, Charlie, Judi, Sam, Julie and in particular Bonnie Young for supporting in the interview - “from sausage sizzling to pineapples”.

Fingers crossed for the gala on 28 November, and good luck to all the finalists - especially our clients, friends and industry group partners! See you there.

(The picture is an old one, from past awards supporting our clients)

14/10/2026

Recently we went along to the STUFFit Student Film Festival at the Majestic Theatre in Pomona, and came away impressed with what these young people are doing. Yep, that makes me sound old, but the students ran the entire event, from welcoming guests through to bump-out at 11pm, and they did it with real professionalism.

STUFFit celebrated 15 years this year with another sold-out night.

163 films came in from around the world, 45 were shortlisted and 21 finalists were screened and live-streamed on the night. The films gave a compelling insight into the world of teenagers, and it was a treat to see so much creativity on the big screen.

Congratulations to all the local and interstate winners, especially Liam Abbey, winner of the People’s Choice Award for his music video ‘Hotel California’, and Mikayla Pitcher, winner of the inaugural $5,000 Production Prize Pack.

What struck me most was the story behind the event. Robyn Cook of Cultivate the Chaos took on STUFFit in 2022 with a plan to make it fully youth-led within five years. This year Lincoln Knight and Rae Gunn stepped into leadership roles and delivered a fantastic night. Seven Events students, nine Leadership students and a work experience student made it all happen, with the screening forming part of their Certificate III in Events through Learnivation - RTO 45570.

It takes confidence to hand over a 15-year-old event, and Robyn’s “cunning plan” is clearly coming together. Cultivate the Chaos is a great example of a social enterprise creating meaningful pathways for young people.

I took my family and a friend along, and we all left inspired.

It was also lovely to catch up with David Edgar and Louise Hayse from the Sunshine Coast Screen Collective and Kally from Sensory Super Heroes, both sponsors of the event.

If you’ve got a teenager interested in film or events, keep an eye on STUFFit for next year.

13/10/2026

What a weekend at Gubbi Gubbi Junior Outrigger Canoe Sprints 2026! 🛶

Rozlyn Rasmussen and I spent the Saturday in the finish tower on timekeeping duty, and we had the best seat in the house. Juniors came from 16 clubs across every zone in Australia, plus teams from Hong Kong, PNG, the Cook Islands and Aotearoa. Seeing young paddlers from all those places racing, laughing and making friends on the water was the highlight for me.

This one was close to my heart for another reason too. Successful Grants wrote the application that secured Sunshine Coast Council funding for the event, which covered security, the marquee, portaloos and part of the venue hire. Those behind-the-scenes costs can stretch a volunteer-run event, so it’s satisfying to see grant funding go straight into giving juniors a great weekend. Thank you to Sunshine Coast Council for backing junior paddling.

The masterminds behind it all were Jenny Rasmussen and Lou Donald. Rowena handled the bump in and bump out, Rebecca Kay was MC, Lea Schloss, Emma Harding and Michelle Small on flags, and Al Rasmussen and his crew set up the buoys and Judi Tweney and Richard manned the boats while everyone pitched in to make it a success. Thanks also to the clubs who lent canoes, the safety and jetski crews, the first aiders, the MCs, the photographer and every volunteer who helped.

If your club or community group has an event or project that needs funding, feel free to contact me at Successful Grants.

A big thank you to the coaches, managers and clubs who brought their juniors along. Working in the junior space is a big job, and it’s what keeps our sport growing.

Save the date: Gubbi Gubbi 2027 is on 1-3 October. See you there!

AOCRA South Queensland Zone AOCRA Mooloolaba Outrigger Canoe Club

13/10/2026

Grants open now for not-for-profits and charities 📌

Most Council rounds have closed for the year, but there’s still funding available if you move in the next few weeks.

Open now
✅ Stronger Communities Programme - up to $20,000 for equipment, facility upgrades and fit-outs. On the Sunshine Coast, EOIs for Fisher and Fairfax close 13 November. Other areas set their own dates, so check with your local federal MP’s office.

✅ Queensland Community Foundation - closes 11 December. Queensland DGR1 charities can apply for capacity building grants, and there are regional grants for charities on the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Toowoomba/Darling Downs, Northern Queensland and the Gulf.

✅ Harcourts Foundation - Round 71 closes 3 November, and the next round runs to 3 February 2027. You’ll need both DGR and TCC status.

✅ Infrastructure for Multicultural Communities - $20,000 to $1.5 million for facilities that help multicultural communities connect. Closes 12 November.

Coming soon
⏳ Insignia Community Foundation - $10,000 to $100,000 for DGR1 charities supporting financial wellbeing and people facing disadvantage. EOIs usually open in November.

Have a project in mind? Feel free to contact me for help with eligibility, strategy or writing.

Jenny Lawson, Successful Grants
📧 [email protected] | 📞 0418 884 264
🌐 www.successfulgrants.com.au

12/10/2026

On the weekend, Jenny from Successful Grants called in to see Annie and Ro at their property, Ettrick, at Mount Tyson near Toowoomba to hear more about Ro's Horse Transport- and to meet a few of the horses! 🐴

Rowan and Annie started the business in 2010 and have been around horses most of their lives. They still run it from the family property, with depots at Scone and Yass, and move horses from Victoria right up to North Queensland and out west.

It was great to see the trucks up close. A lot of thought has gone into keeping the horses calm and comfortable: adjustable bays for big horses and little ponies, dividers for stallions and for mares with foals, rubber floors, plenty of ventilation, air bag suspension for a smoother ride, and cameras so the driver can check on every horse. All their drivers are experienced horse people too.

That’s their daughter Bec in the photo, saddled up with her polocrosse racquet in front of one of the trucks - keeping it in the family!

Their motto is “Safe Hands”, and after seeing how they work, it fits.

If you need to move a horse, give them a call on 0400 629 438 or visit roshorsetransport.com.au

Thanks Annie, Ro and Bec for having us!

12/10/2026

Looking forward to joining the panel at the Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce on Wed, 21st October. Thanks to the Chamber for having me, and to Indepth Accounting for sponsoring. If you’re thinking about entering an award or want ideas on getting your business noticed, come along and say hello.

MEET OUR PANELLIST: JENNY LAWSON | SUCCESSFUL GRANTS

From award-winning applications to standing out in a crowded market, Jenny Lawson knows how to help businesses tell their story and get noticed!

Jenny is the Founder and Director of Successful Grants, a Sunshine Coast consultancy that helps businesses communicate their value to the people who matter - from funders and judges to customers.

With 66 award-winning applications under her belt, Jenny has helped businesses across business, tourism, sport and industry achieve recognition. Over seven years and more than 50 Sunshine Coast Business Awards entries, every client has reached finalist status, with many taking home category wins and Hall of Fame honours.

Jenny also brings a judge’s perspective, chairing Tennis Queensland’s awards panels and judging for initiatives including Generation Innovation. In 2024, she was named SCBWN Outstanding Business Woman of the Year.

This year, Jenny is practising what she preaches, with Successful Grants named a 2026 Sunshine Coast Business Awards finalist in its own right!

Join us at the next Maroochydore Chamber After Hours as Jenny shares her insights on creative ways to build awareness, tell your story and make your business stand out.

-Wednesday, 21 October
-5:30pm – 7:30pm
-Olas Beach House
-Proudly sponsored by Indepth Accounting

Come along for an evening of networking, conversation and fresh ideas!

Register here: https://members.maroochy.org/events/details/october-after-hours-2026-1152

23/09/2026

CRICKET CLUBS - GRANT FUNDING FOR YOUR FACILITIES 🏏

The Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund (ACIF) closes 16 October.

It's open to clubs, associations, schools, councils and facility managers for projects that grow participation and make your facilities more welcoming and inclusive.

💰 Minor grants up to $15,000
💰 Major grants from $15,001 to $40,000

Think pitches, ovals, practice nets, change rooms, pavilions and supporting infrastructure. Equipment, routine maintenance and projects already under way aren't eligible.

Now's the time to lock in your project, get current quotes and check whether you need landowner or council consent.

Two other reminders for community groups:

⏰ Gambling Community Benefit Fund (Qld) closes this Monday, 28 September - check your quotes and attachments are all in.

📢 Stronger Communities Programme is opening soon in each federal electorate. Keep an eye on your local federal member's website and page for close dates, as the windows are often short.

If you'd like support with any of these, feel free to contact us at Successful Grants 👋

Cricket Australia Queensland Cricket

17/09/2026

Starstruck at the Go for Gold breakfast this week, hosted by Kawana Chamber of Commerce and Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce.

I watched Natalie Cook OAM OLY through her Sydney 2000 campaign to gold. Hearing her speak this week was something else.

Natalie's established the Athlete Fund to back the 90% of Australian athletes who self-fund their pathway. Many retire carrying big debts. One international trip costs an athlete around $8,000. I bought myself a BBQ apron as a supporter and I'd encourage you to do the same - there are jerseys, supporter cards and corporate archery sessions too.

Then came the rest of the picture, and it's terrific for the Sunshine Coast.

Maroochydore City Centre gets a new 6,500-seat arena, an athletes village for 2,000 athletes that converts to housing afterwards, and a new hotel in design.

Kawana Stadium goes to around 20,000 in Games mode. That's a short bike ride from my place!

Mountain Bike Centre works start in early 2027, and road cycling and the marathon are being talked about as our "postcard to the world".

Outrigger canoeing on Lake Kawana is still in discussion, which has my full attention.

And the WAVE transport program is quietly progressing, designed as a legacy system rather than just Games infrastructure.

For business, the message from council was clear - register on the Brisbane 2032 website for procurement work packages, watch for the buyer events as the big consortiums come on board, and build a Sunshine Coast supply chain now so the skills and work stay here long past 2032.

Yes, there'll be construction and disruption between now and then. But as Alister reiterated from Nat's panel chat - it'll be worth it.

Business owners, have you registered on the Brisbane 2032 procurement portal yet? If not, that's your job for this week.

09/09/2026

What a day. 🌻

On Friday I joined 850 people at the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre for the Wishlist Spring Carnival, and together we raised $415,748 for women's health - breast cancer and endometriosis care - right here on the Coast.

Thank you to Katrina Brennan and Kayte Ratcliffe from SRJ Walker Wayland - Sunshine Coast for the invitation. Table 69 was very good company - Secure Access I.T's Nicole Peatey, Jason Garland, Riarna Hellyer, Manufacturing Excellence Forum's Tim Kelly, NAB's Nikolle Mauchline, Marissa de Saint Quentin and The Laundry Lady's Susan Toft, with Sunny Rays' Dean and Brent close by.

Like a lot of people in that room, I have a personal stake in this one. I recently lost a friend to breast cancer, and my mum is navigating her own diagnosis at the moment. So watching a room full of Sunshine Coast businesses put their hands up for women's health was poignant.

And for the record, I'm usually the one who wins something in the raffle. Not this time. Someone else's turn, and on a day like Friday I'll take it.

Congratulations to the Spring Carnival committee and to Wishlist on a remarkable result.

03/09/2026

What a night. The 12th Generation Innovation Challenge wrapped up last night, and three young Sunshine Coast entrepreneurs got up and delivered the pitch they'd been working towards for months.

Congratulations to Julia Rejman, the 2026 winner, with Allergy Arc - an app that pulls allergy information, medication management, trigger tracking and emergency response into one place. She's 14. Her parents Arek and Justyna had every reason to look as proud as they did.

Congratulations too to the runners-up, Christian with InvestiGate, teaching secondary students how to invest and build financial habits that actually hold up, and Zeke with MESR, using vision-based technology to automate public infrastructure inspections.

I judged the Pitch Day last month, so I'd seen these ventures at a much rawer stage. The difference another month of good mentoring makes is something to see.

The best part was the room. The GI Board, the judges, the mentors, the sponsors. Twelve years in, and the alumni still come back - Harrison, the very first GI winner back in 2015.

The GI Challenge is free for the young people who enter it. That only happens because businesses and individuals across this region put their time and expertise in. Every masterclass, bootcamp and mentoring session behind those three pitches came from someone saying yes. Proud to be one of them as a business partner through Successful Grants.

We talk a lot about backing young people on the Sunshine Coast. This is what it looks like when a community actually does it.

Photos below.