BOWMAN MP Andrew Laming has kicked off his election campaign throwing a line to charities at his second Shark Tank funding event on Monday.
Thirteen Redland charities became "sharks" and jumped into Mr Laming's tank to fish for some of the $150,000 federal funding.
In a mock spin off of the popular Channel 10 reality TV show, the not-for-profit contestants made five-minute business pitches to a panel of "shark" investors.
Everyone in the crowd of 260 at Redlands RSL voted in teams to determine the amount each not-for-profit organisation should get from the Stronger Communities funding program.
Kindilan Outdoor Education and Conference Centre proved the most popular, taking out the highest score and winning $500 from development company Ausbuild, and $8,367.
It was one of Redland city's largest philanthropic events and was run with the help of the Redland Foundation and Regional Development Australia.
Mr Laming said it was an equitable and fun way to distribute much-needed government funding to worthy community organisations.
He said SharkTank aimed to link businesses with Redland charities.
Birkdale Flowers stepped up donating garden soil for retirement village Finncare’s Sensory Garden project.
“That’s what the night’s all about,” Mr Laming said.
“We are managing to connect private and the charitable sector in a way that hasn’t happened before.”
Grants of up to $20,000 were available for projects deemed strong enough to drive economic activity and entrepreneurship.
ASD Learning put its hand up for $17,943, which it said it planned to spend on outfitting the Cycamore ASD School at Alexandra Hills.
Redland Museum asked for $10,462 for air conditioning and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard at Redland Bay pitched for $20,000 to revamp its pontoon with a larger, safer platform and gangway at Weinam Creek.
Volunteer Marine Rescue Raby Bay was not left out and put its hand up for $20,000 which it would spend on training workshops.
Connect 2 hoped to haul in $5000 which it said it would spend on wheelchair access to a sensory garden, shade sail, safety gate and outdoor furniture.
Karragarra Island Community Garden wanted $8500 for connections to the mains water supply, an irrigation system and a 5000lt water tank.
YMCA Victoria Point was hoping for $10,000 for shade sails and roofing over its indoor pool.
The Bay island Men's Shed planned to hook in to $20,000 for a reinforced concrete slab for a new shed.
New Way lawyers asked for $9000 for extending its office to keep up with demand for $9,000 – family legal services.
A community hall would be build with the $20,000 Bayside Kindergarten and Childcare asked for to host information seminars.
Last year's winner, The Cage, was also granted $12,000 to upgrade and refurbish facilities at its Redland Bay home.
