COVID-19 community grants to kickstart community recovery

Twenty-three community organisations will share in more than $116,800 in grant funding to assist in community recovery and relief as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 Community Grants Funding Program is one of the many ways in which Council is helping to address immediate needs within the community arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding was available to eligible community organisations and charities to allow them to continue to deliver, expand and introduce new programs, initiatives and services to the Maroondah community.

At the Council meeting on Monday 31 August, the successful applications were endorsed by Council.

The one-off grants program was introduced to assist not-for-profit organisations and community groups to address community needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside other Australian and Victorian government initiatives.

Mayor of Maroondah Councillor Mike Symon said it’s hoped the grants will help speed up the Maroondah community’s social and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Specific funding was allocated through Council’s 2020/21 Budget to assist towards community recovery and relief as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We know that COVID-19 has created real hardship for many people in our community, but particularly so for those who already face disadvantage. These grants are one way that we are supporting our community and not-for-profit organisations to continue their fantastic work, as well as supporting them to develop new initiatives in response to the pandemic,” he said.

“This funding will be used for a variety of purposes including, supporting those in need with food parcels; hosting virtual events and activities to keep people connected; provision of material aid and providing information in various languages to support our CALD communities,” Cr Symon said.

The program was divided into two schemes:

The COVID-19 Community Support Grants Scheme offered financial assistance for incorporated not-for-profit community groups to deliver community support programs and services directly in response to COVID-19.

The focus of this funding was to provide assistance to service providers and community organisations that directly help vulnerable people, those significantly impacted by COVID-19 with immediate basic needs, psychosocial support, and those at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness.

The COVID-19 Community Wellbeing Grants Scheme offered financial assistance of up to $5000 to not-for-profit organisations and community groups to develop and deliver programs and projects accessible to the broader Maroondah community that directly enhance social inclusion and wellbeing arising from COVID-19.

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For further information on the Program, contact Council on 1300 88 22 33.