MEDIA STATEMENT
August 26, 2022
Indi Volunteer Grant Program open for Expressions of Interest
The 2022-23 Volunteer Grants program is now open for expressions of interest from eligible community organisations, Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has announced.
Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to assist eligible not-for-profit community organisations support the efforts of their volunteers.
Volunteer Grants support the work of local community organisations by enabling the inclusion of vulnerable people and promoting awareness to increase participation in volunteering.
Eligible organisations must be a not-for-profit with a minimum of 40% volunteers in their workforce.
Grant funding is available for specific uses including purchasing eligible small equipment for volunteer use, contributing to volunteer transport costs, training courses for volunteers, costs of background screening checks for volunteers. Funds could also be used for activities that promote awareness of or increase participation in volunteering and adapting practices to support COVID safety for volunteers
“Dozens of groups across Indi have already benefitted from these volunteer grants and I am pleased to once again offer these important grants to benefit volunteer organisations across Indi,” Dr Haines said.
“Eligible projects have been extended to assist volunteer organisations adapt their practices for the pandemic. COVID has had an impact across society and volunteer groups have been affected in many ways and it is great to see this acknowledged in this round of grant funding.”
Dr Haines said volunteers were the backbone of the community.
“According to the latest census results, 19.5% of people in Indi did volunteer work with a group or organisation – that’s well above the Victorian rate of 13.3% and the Australian rate of 14.1%. Volunteers make our communities exactly that – communities.
“I am proud to support volunteer community groups through these grants.”
A committee of representatives from local government and community groups will assess the expressions of interest. Successful proponents will then be invited to apply to the Department of Social Services for a grant. The final decision on successful applications will be made by a delegate of the government.
Expressions of Interest must be received by 5pm Tuesday 20th September. Visit helenhaines.org/resources/grants for more information and to apply.