[Computerbank] $5000 equipment grant for volunteer organisations

[Bruce McCubbery]

Who does our grants applications?  Bruce

FYI..

Senator the Hon Amanda Vanstone

Minister for Family & Community Services

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister
for the Status of Women

Extra $5 million to support volunteers  
26 August 2001

Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Amanda Vanstone, 
today announced an extra $5 million in Federal Government funding 
that will help volunteer organisations across the country to buy 
equipment for their volunteers.

Senator Vanstone said organisations could now apply for a one-off 
International Year of Volunteers Small Equipment Grant of up to 
$5,000 to buy equipment specifically to help volunteers in their 
voluntary work.

"This extra funding is in recognition of the outstanding work done by 
volunteers around Australia and is part of the very successful 
International Year of Volunteers 2001 (IYV) Small Grants Program. 

"Already more than 2,100 community organisations have benefited from 
the Federal Government's $5.4 million IYV 2001 Small Grants Program. 
However, the funding to date has rightly had a focus on celebrating 
the Year. 

"This additional $5 million will help support volunteers in a 
practical sense.

"From the feedback we have received in the previous rounds, it became 
very clear that many organisations would also appreciate equipment to 
make their volunteers' work easier, safer and more enjoyable.

"The Australian people really appreciate the important role 
volunteers play in our society and this a token of our appreciation 
in this special year. 

"At last count, there were 4,395,000 Australians over 18 who were 
selflessly giving up their time and effort to contribute to make 
Australia an even better place to be. The volunteers and the 
organisations behind them deserve all the support and recognition we 
can give them.

"The Federal Government is actively participating in the 
International Year of Volunteers by providing a total of $14.68 
million in grants and events," Senator Vanstone said.

As well as the Small Grants Program and this extra funding, the 
Government has:


provided an additional $5 million over 4 years to support 
organisations that involve volunteers through Australians Working 
Together; 

provided over $3 million annually for volunteer matching and referral 
services across Australia through the Voluntary Work Initiative and 
the Volunteer Management Program;

funded the expansion and development of Volunteering 
Australia's 'GoVolunteer' recruitment database and website and;

provided funding for National Skills Development for Volunteers 
Program until 2004 ($8.1 million).
"This Government is proud to support people who give so selflessly to 
help their community and is committed to continuing that support - 
this extra funding is yet another example of how we listen and 
respond to the needs of local communities," Senator Vanstone said.

Application packages for the IYV Small Equipment Grants can be 
obtained from the website: www.iyv2001.gov.au. or by phoning 1300 653 
227 (8.00am-5.30pm EST Mon - Friday). Applications close on Monday 24 
September 2001.