Tanya Plibersek encourages volunteers to apply for Volunteer Grant

By TILEAH DOBSON

The Australian Government is calling for volunteers and their organisations to put in their applications for The Volunteer Grants. As volunteers are a core component for both their organisations and their communities, the federal government is investing $10 million dollars.

This is due to the government’s commitment to assist volunteers and encourage more residents to volunteer their service and time to organisations. An estimated 9 million Australians volunteer within their local community in order to improve the lives of others.

Each electorate will be allocated up to $66,225 in grants that will range between $1,000 and $5,000, in order for organisations to support the hard work and efforts of their volunteers.

The grants can be utilised to purchase equipment for volunteers, reimburse volunteers’ fuel, training or transport costs or support promotional activities.

Member for Sydney and Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek is thrilled with the government’s commitment to assist volunteers and invites local community organisations to apply for the grants.

“I am thrilled to invite local, eligible organisations to submit an expression of interest for a Volunteer Grant,” she said.

Plibersek recognises the hard work volunteers do and how important they are to Sydney’s communities, citing how much “they support our communities to grow, thrive and flourish – and support those most in need.”

“This is a fantastic grants program which assists community organisations to support their volunteers. The grant can be used for activities like reimbursing volunteers for fuel costs, training, or transport. This makes volunteering easier to get involved in,” she told City Hub.

“You do not have to be incorporated as an organisation to apply, but you do need to have a bank account and meet some other liability criteria. You must have a minimum of 40% of volunteers working for your organisation and be not for profit.”

Organisations interested in applying are encouraged to contact the Sydney electorate office on 02 9379 0700 or Tanya.Plibersek.MP@aph.gov.au

Plibersek encourages all volunteers and their organisations to apply.

“I encourage any organisation that is interested in applying to get in touch with my office, and we can assist you with determining if your organisation is eligible and help you to apply if need be,” she said.

“A whole range of organisations – big and small – have benefitted in the past. I really encourage any group to reach out to my office and we can assist you in determining if you’re eligible to apply.”

Completed EOI forms will be due to be returned to Tanya Plibersek’s office by 16th September 2022.