the story behind the mateship foundation
Dedicated to encouraging and championing social and environmental change in our Queensland backyard, the Mateship Foundation was born on the Sunshine Coast in 2019 when a couple of local mates kicked off Meats with Mates. The idea was simple: put on a feed, crack a few frothies and bring people together.
What started small has grown into a proper big day, with more than 300 strangers rolling in each year to yarn, have a laugh and remind each other that no one has to do life on their own. It is about acknowledgement and connection, seeing when a mate is doing it tough and making sure there is always space for a chat.
With the encouragement of the Sunshine Coast community, the Mateship Foundation was officially established in 2022 as a registered charity. Since then we have raised more than $180,000 for Queensland not for profits in the mental health space, and now we are setting our sights on raising $250,000 to help build stronger and more inclusive communities.
At the end of the day it is about mates looking out for each other, sharing a meal, raising a glass and knowing you are never on your own.
our vision & goal
Born from Your Mates’ fourth strategic pillar ‘Good Business’, the Mateship Foundation envisions a future of positive social change by championing mateship through actively contributing and engaging with its local communities.
Our goal is to raise over $250,000 this calendar year and strategically direct donations and investments for social and environmental change into our partnering Non-for Profit charities.
charities we proudly support
kawana boardriders
"Due to the generous contributions of Your Mates to our monthly raffles our Junior Development program has thrived. Your Mates continually give back to the community and with their overwhelming support, community groups like ours can continue their work."
surf rider foundation
"Your Mates have been avid supporters of Sunshine Coast Surfrider Foundation for several years now. They guys are always keen to get involved with our clean up at Double Island and social nights on the coast. Their concern and care for the environment and willingness to work with the community groups puts them above others."
reef check
“The guys have helped us out with everything from beach clean ups to beer yoga and are always looking for new ways to do better for the environment and community groups around them.”
zonta club caloundra
"We can’t thank the Your Mates team enough for their help with our recent charity event, they went above and beyond and it’ll help so much in our endeavours to support women and girls in our community."
livin
"We’ve been fortunate to be one of the charities who benefited from Your Mates Brewing's outstanding annual Meats for Mates event, bringing the community together to celebrate mateship and allow us the opportunity to raise awareness for mental health issues. They’ve really helped us spread our "It Ain't Weak to Speak" message, as well as delivering free mental health sessions into schools around Australia through the support of their generous donations."
young veterans
"Young Veterans Sunshine Coast has been involved with Your Mates for the past few years now, and thanks to their support we’ve been able to provide the most appropriate and timely assistance to our veterans, including emergency accommodation, financial assistance, food vouchers and other financial assistance to other ex-service organisations. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Your Mates and the Mateship Foundation as their support is changing veterans and families lives here on the Sunshine Coast. Your Mates are our mates."
