Hannah Hammoud
Applications will soon open for round one of Hume council’s 2024 Community Grants Program, with a total funding allocation of just under $500,000.
As part of the 2024 program, council has also introduced a new one-off category called the Specialist Partnership Grant (Volunteer Engagement) which will provide up to $10,000 for one year to support organisations in broadening their volunteer base, re-engage their volunteers and strengthen collaboration and partnerships between volunteer organisations.
This new category is a recognition of the detrimental effects the pandemic has had on organisations that are led by and engage with volunteers.
In 2021, Hume undertook a survey sent to members of the Hume Moreland Volunteer Coordinators Network, with results revealing that all respondents had witnessed a decline in volunteer numbers since the beginning of the pandemic
Councillor Jarrod Bell said that as the community sector continues to grapple with the dual impacts from the pandemic and the rising cost of living, the delivery of the community grants program is as vital as ever.
“The 2024 program will continue to support the activities of community groups and larger organisations that work to make Hume a safer, healthier, stronger, more committed, more connected and vibrant place to live,” he said.
“I encourage all eligible organisations, community groups and volunteer groups to apply for these grants and to work with our officers to ensure that their applications meet the requirements of the various programs which they may be applying for.”
To further support grant applications council officers have planned to implement a one-on-one application service with the help of bilingual volunteers to assist people in the grant application process.
Applications will open from May 15 to June 30, 2023.
Information: www.hume.vic.gov.au/Your-Council/Grants-awards-and-funds/Community-Grants-Program
