In June 1953, the association established its first centre in Coorparoo in Brisbane with a teacher to provide basic education to the children, putting into practice ideas developed at the University of Queensland.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, Endeavour Foundation continued to grow, despite recognition that the organisation was losing thousands of dollars per week through the provision of services to people without individualised funding packages by the Queensland Government.
The committees provide feedback on policy and services, build community links and vote on elected members of the Board.
[6] In 2013, Endeavour Foundation opened a $3.8 million fully accredited food packaging facility in the Brisbane suburb of Wacol.
VATMI was the largest employer of people with a disability in Victoria, with four locations and various facilities in Kew, Keon Park, Bendigo, Wangaratta and Stawell.
The addition of a cafe to the already successful commercial kitchen provides even more opportunities for people with a disability to develop skills working in hospitality and customer service.
While much has changed over the last 66 years, the core objective and commitment of the organisation remains unchanged – to provide real possibilities and opportunities for people with a disability.
In order to bring real possibilities to life, Endeavour Foundation's disability services are tailored around an individual's goals and aspirations.
With the aim of helping people transition to a more independent lifestyle, support is tailored to individual needs to allow customers to thrive.
Endeavour Foundation supported workplaces are involved in the manufacture of industrial cleaning cloths, timber furniture and other wood products, mailing, collation and packing services (including food and pharmaceutical packaging), document destruction, e-recycling, industrial sewing, agriculture (nurseries, farms and orchards), as well as QArt – a professionally operated art studio for artists with a disability, with an accompanying retail gallery in Kew, Victoria – and Kingaroy Kitchen Fine Foods and Cafe, which sell a large range of delicious home-style jams, chutneys and biscuits.
A tailored learning program can be developed with Endeavour Foundation to assist with a range of needs including: practical living skills to build confidence and self-esteem, learning or career plans depending on the person's aspirations, building knowledge or qualifications for meaningful employment and mentors to assist in transitioning through school, work and towards independent living.
Kingaroy Kitchen Fine Foods, which provides employment and training opportunities for 27 supported employees in the South Burnett region, produces hampers, preservative-free chutneys, marmalades, jams, biscuits and cakes available for purchase.
There are currently ten Endeavour Foundation Tip Shops and Recycle Markets in Queensland that salvage and sell household items and furnishings, collectables, books and toys, and sporting equipment.
All funds raised through lotteries and fundraising events go directly towards Endeavour Foundation's programs to support people with intellectual disability.
In 2000 and 2001, Endeavour Foundation attracted major controversy when it decided to cut case management services, with some staff discovering their positions had been made redundant through the press.