Community foundation looking for more volunteer directors

The Limestone Coast’s only community foundation is seeking expressions of interest from like-minded individuals who want to give back to their community.

Stand Like Stone CEO Roger Babolka (pictured) said the foundation was looking to add to its volunteer board and is keen to hear from those who have a passion for the Limestone Coast, and have skills that will add value to the organisation. The Stand Like Stone Foundation was established in 2004 to create a community fund, to benefit the region in perpetuity.

The Foundation, one of only 5 community foundations in South Australia, offers individuals, families, groups, corporations and not-for-profit organisations a way of giving back to the community that they care about.

“Donations to Stand Like Stone are held in trust and invested to maximise income and it’s the income earned that is then granted in the form of community grants for charitable projects and scholarships to local individuals,” Mr Babolka said.

Australia’s community foundations serve a population of approximately 8,500,000 people, operate across 120 Local Government areas and have more than $450 million under philanthropic management between them.

Community foundations are place-based, community-led philanthropic organisations. More than 80 per cent of Australia’s 45 community foundations are based in rural and regional Australia, and philanthropic investments through the foundations are directed to benefit the local community each foundation serves.

Mr Babolka said the basic rules of who can legally be a director were very straight forward, an individual person (not a body corporate), be at least 18 years of age and not be disqualified from managing corporations. As for the role of a director, you’re required to act with all the care and diligence that a reasonable person might be expected to show in the role and act in good faith and in the best interests of the organisation.

“We’re seeking individuals that are connected to this region, have a good understanding of what makes the region tick, but equally important, having an understanding of what the challenges are for the Limestone Coast,” Mr Babolka said. For further details on the volunteerdirector role, contact the Stand Like Stone office on (08)7701 9259 or info@standlikestone. com.au