Expanded Volunteer Grants Program 2010 opens

Grants between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to help local eligible non-profit organisations purchase much-needed equipment, cover fuel costs, and for the first time, provide training courses and background checks.

 

In 2009, 34 local organisations benefitted from funding, including the Olympic Village Combined Pensioners Association, the Heidelberg Junior Football Club, Diamond Valley 50’s Plus Club and the Glen Katherine Primary School Parents and Friends Association.

 

Those organisations used their funding to purchase equipment such as computers, cameras, barbeques, refrigerators and first aid kits, as well as helping to cover the fuel costs incurred by their volunteers.

 

This year, volunteer organisations can also apply for grants to help contribute to the costs of training for volunteers, such as first aid or cultural awareness training.

 

The funding can also be used to help pay for background checks to make it easier for people to volunteer.

 

“We have some remarkable local organisations helped by volunteers”, Ms Macklin said.

“So many of these organisations run on shoe string budgets, and their volunteers put in a great deal of their own time and money,”

“Every day, local volunteers are out there in our community, working tirelessly to help the elderly, the sick and those who have hit hard times.

“The Volunteer Grants 2010 initiative willprovide practical and tangible support to community organisations across our community to support volunteers and encourage even more people to take up volunteering.”

 

 

To apply, or for more information, local organisations can visit www.fahcsia.gov.au or call 1800 183 374.