$500 million in grants available for not-for-profits

Senator Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, today announced that $500 will be invested in not-for profits to strengthen these organisations and build community resilience.
Applications are now open for the Jobs Fund, which will provide grants of up to $2 million for not-for-profits to undertake projects that invest in local community infrastructure and build social capital, via two separate streams:

• The Local Jobs stream provides $300 million funding over two years for community infrastructure projects with a focus on promoting environmental-friendly technology and heritage.
• The Get Communities Working provides grants worth $200 million over two years for innovative employment and social projects that build community resilience. The funding will commence on 1 July this year.

$11 million of the Get Communities Working stream is available for temporary financial assistance to not-for-profit organisations whose donor base is under pressure as a result of the economic downturn.
“These grants are an opportunity for non-profit organisations to build community partnerships and invest in innovative projects that create employment opportunities and strengthen community resilience in areas vulnerable to high levels of unemployment and disengagement," said Senator Stephens.
“The Fund also responds to the reality that some organisations have experienced reduced donation levels and suffered the loss of corporate sponsors.”
Not-for-profit organisations, employment services providers, industry associations, unions, peak bodies, regional development agencies, local, state and territory governments and community organisations are eligible to apply for funding.
Projects must address one of the four following areas:

• create jobs or retain people in jobs at risk due to the downturn;
• build skills for the future;
• build community infrastructure or improve community amenity which generates local jobs; or
• provide seed funding for social enterprises to start up, maintain or expand services, generating jobs and improving community services.

Senator Stephens encouraged all non-profit organisations to submit proposals for the first round of the Jobs Funds by the application due date of 22 May 2009.
Guidelines can be downloaded from: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/Pages/JobsFund.aspx.