$16 Million of Volunteer Grants for Australian NFPs
4 May 2011 at 1:15 pm
Applications are open for Volunteer Grants 2011, a $16 million Federal Government initiative to help Not for Profit organisations support their volunteers.
Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to help eligible Not for Profit organisations train and manage volunteers by purchasing essential equipment, contribute to fuel costs, training courses and background checks.
The government says in order to support people most in need, preference will be given to organisations with volunteers that assist disadvantaged individuals, families and communities and organisations located in regional and rural areas and organisations affected by recent natural disasters.
Last year, Volunteer Grants were awarded to more than 6,000 NFPs, which the government says supported more than 253,000 volunteers. It says the funds were spent of purchasing computers, first aid kids and sunshades, and contributing to fuel costs and training courses for volunteers.
2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the United Nations International Year of Volunteers, and this year has already seen large numbers of volunteers working to assisting disaster affected communities, particularly in response to the Queensland floods.
The Gillard Government says it hopes Volunteer Grants 2011 will provide practical and tangible support to community organisations across Australia to support volunteers and encourage more people to take up volunteering.
To apply, please visit www.fahcsia.gov.au or call 1800 183 374
Applications for the grants close at 5pm (AEST) on 8 June 2011.
