Expressions of Interest for the 2021 Newcastle Volunteer Grants are now open.

The Volunteer Grants program offers grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 to support, encourage and increase participation in volunteering in local communities. These grants help community organisations support their volunteers by making their volunteering work easier, safer and more enjoyable.

This funding may be used to:
 purchase eligible small equipment items for use by volunteers;
 contribute to volunteers’ fuel costs;
 contribute to transport costs for volunteers with disability who are unable to drive;
 assist with the costs of training courses for volunteers;
 undertake background screening checks for volunteers.
 conduct activities to promote awareness of, and increase participating in volunteering opportunities, or;
 adapt practices to support volunteers’ safety in the current pandemic environment.

Successful applications will demonstrate how this grant will make a real difference to the capacity of volunteers to do the good work that they do.

Am I eligible?
The project must be located in the Newcastle electorate
AND
 Use a large proportion of volunteers in your organisation. At least 40 per cent of the organisation’s staff must be volunteers;
 Be a not for profit organisation;
 Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or be willing to provide a Statement by Supplier Form (reason for not quoting an ABN). Please refer to the Australian Tax Office website for further information; and
 Have an account with an Australian financial institution.

How do I apply?
Regrettably the Government has allowed a very limited timeline for nominations and submissions.
Accordingly, Expressions of Interest are now open and will close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 11 April 2021.

SUBMIT YOUR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST HERE

Please note: lodging an EOI does NOT guarantee being selected as an applicant. All EOI’s will be reviewed and scored by the Newcastle community selection panel. Successful nominations will formally be invited to apply for a grant in May 2021, and applications will be assessed by the Department of Social Services.

In the meantime, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected] or call my office on (02) 4926 1555.