Young Centenary Foundation
Who we areFounded in March 2011, YCF is a youth offshoot of the Centenary Foundation – the fundraising arm of medical research institute, the Centenary Institute. The group, which consists of about 10 volunteers aged 20–35, includes a scientist from the institute, the institute’s philanthropy coordinator and a host of young professionals.
What we doYCF promotes the work of the Centenary Institute to a younger audience to raise awareness and funds within this demographic. Centenary Institute, a worldleading medical research facility linked to the University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, focuses on cancer, cardiovascular and infectious diseases, and approaches disease at a cellular level to discover new prevention measures and early diagnosis and treatment options.
Why we do itAs young people, we often see ourselves as invincible. But we aren’t. The volunteers that make up YCF realised that if we want to protect, maintain and improve our health, then we need to do our bit to support organisations like the Centenary Institute. We do so by giving what we can to the cause, whether that is web coding skills, party planning skills, or sponsorship snagging skills. Philanthropy isn’t normally a pastime of the young, and that is something that we want to turn around.
How we do itYCF has an ambitious programme of fundraising events planned for 2015 and beyond – but we are also on the lookout for grant opportunities and corporate sponsorships, and encourage oneoff or regular donations from individuals.
Where the funds goThe funds we raise are used to recruit and retain the best young medical research scientists and to buy their supplies; buy state of the art equipment that allows new techniques to be pursued and research project times to be reduced; and help our young scientists travel to conferences to build new global collaborations. YCF is committed to specifically supporting young scientists. Most young scientists are unfortunately unable to continue the work they start at Centenary Institute during a PhD because government and university supported postdoctorate funding is hard to come by.