Community organisations benefit from 2008 Volunteer Grants Program
Over 2,200 community organisations in New South Wales will benefit from more than $6.7 million in Australian Government funding for volunteer grants.
This is part of the $21 million in Volunteer Grants which will go to over 7,200 community organisations across the country.
Under the program, grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are provided to non-profit organisations.
Volunteers are the backbone of so many of our community groups and the non-profit sector. In NSW there are more than 1.6 million volunteers.
Every day volunteers are out in their local communities working tirelessly to help the elderly, the sick and those who have hit hard times.
The Government values the enormous contribution volunteers make in our community and this funding will ease the financial pressure on non-profit organisations and volunteers.
In NSW, the Volunteer Grants Program 2008 will assist organisations to buy small equipment and sporting items, to train volunteers, and to help with fuel costs.
Organisations to receive funding include the Cancer Patients Assistance Society of NSW, Mensheds Australia, Girl Guides NSW and Parents and Citizens of NSW.
The 40 branches of the Cancer Patients Assistance Society of NSW, which provides support to individuals and families from rural and remote areas experiencing the trauma of cancer and treatments, will share funding of $127,339.
This will benefit 638 volunteers whose activities range from fundraising through to practical tasks such as shopping, house cleaning and collecting children from school.
Funding of $247,500 has been earmarked for Mensheds Australia whose objective is to improve the health and well-being of men in the community.
Around 1,695 Menshed community volunteers nationally will benefit from the funding.
The Girl Guides Association of NSW will receive $238,802 for its 1840 community volunteers across the state. Trained volunteers conduct the weekly Girl Guide program as well as the competency based volunteer training, outdoor camping and other fitness pursuits.
The Federation of Parents and Citizens of NSW supports around 2,100 school-based volunteer parent organisations, as well as a large number of district and region councils. Funding of $70,000 will assist around 53,981 Federation community volunteers nationally.
The Volunteer Grants Program 2008 delivers on a Rudd Government election commitment.