Federal Member for Bowman, Henry Pike, has called on local Redland volunteer organisations to apply for a new round of Commonwealth Government funding to support their local efforts.
Volunteer grants of between $1000 and $5000 will assist local community organisations to support their volunteers.
“These grants are designed primarily to assist and encourage volunteering, and to support the inclusion of vulnerable people through volunteering”, Mr Pike said.
“We have so many wonderful volunteering groups in the Redlands and I want to see them sharing in some of this funding to help them take their efforts to the next level.”
Mr Pike said that many entities relying on volunteers have struggled over the last two years due to the disruption of the pandemic. The volunteer grants will provide these local groups with an opportunity to reengage and support their volunteer base.
The funding can be used for such items as contributing to volunteers’ fuel costs, transport for those with disability, assist with training, help with background checks, the purchase of certain small equipment, as well as other activities that encourage volunteerism.
“Volunteers do so much in our community and this is just a small way that the Federal Government can support their work,” Mr Pike said.
“In the first instance I would encourage community groups to contact my office via email to [email protected] to request an Expression of Interest form which must be received by 9th September 2022.”
The Expression of Interest process is straight-forward and can be completed very quickly.
As part of the 2022-23 Volunteer Grants round, eligibility criteria require the community organisation to be a legal entity, is a not-for-profit with a minimum of 40% of its workers being volunteers, and have an ABN.