Applications for Volunteer Grants 2016 through The Community Grants Hub, on behalf of the Department of Social Services (DSS), are now open.

The grants are intended to support volunteers in organisations and community groups. DSS says “The funding will help volunteers to do their important work, and the grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 each will allow organisations to buy much needed equipment, such as computers, or help with training volunteers, fuel costs or undertaking background security checks.”

The grants are quite specific as to who is eligible to apply and what the funds may or may not be used for.

The grant may be used for:

• staff salaries and on-costs which can be directly attributed to the provision of the Activity in the identified service area or areas as per the grant agreement;
• employee training for paid and unpaid staff including Committee and Board members, that is relevant, appropriate and in line with the Activity;
• operating and administration expenses directly related to the delivery services, such as:
• telephones
• rent and outgoings
• computer/IT/website/software
• insurance
• utilities
• postage
• stationery and printing
• accounting and auditing
• travel/accommodation costs
• assets as defined in the Terms and Conditions that can be reasonably attributed to meeting agreement deliverables, and
• evaluation.

Find out more about the grants program at DSS and apply for the grants online using this form.

Applications must be submitted by 2:00pm AEDT on Tuesday 20 December 2016.