Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has launched Expressions of Interest for the 2024-25 Volunteer Grants program.
Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to support the work of local community organisations to increase participation in volunteering and enable the inclusion of vulnerable people.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities and there is always strong interest in these grants from a variety of hard-working, community focused organisations,” said Dr Haines.
There are two streams of grant funding in the 2024-25 Volunteer Grants program.
- Stream 1 funds the purchase of communication or insurance items that will benefit a community organisation’s volunteers.
- Stream 2 funds the purchase of items or services, or running volunteer-led activities, with the main purpose for supporting the development of children under 18, or adults whose volunteering activities supports children’s development and wellbeing.
“This year, the grant focuses on funding important but often expensive costs involved with volunteering – like insurance premiums, phone bills and technology purchases, which are becoming increasingly more expensive.” said Dr Haines.
“There is also a strong focus on supporting the development and wellbeing of our young people.
“I am always inspired by the passion and hard work of volunteer groups that I meet with across Indi and they tell me that grants like this go a long way in supporting volunteers to continue their important work.
“I encourage not-for-profit community organisations across Indi to consider putting in an expression of interest. Applications will be assessed by a panel of community members, with successful applicants then invited to apply to the Department of Social Services for a grant.
“Volunteers support our communities in so many and varied ways and I pay tribute to them for their continued commitment and hard work.”
Details on the eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found at: /resources/grants/volunteer-grants-2024-25/