Not-for-profit community organisations can apply to receive a helping hand from Sunshine Coast Council with temporary COVID-19 Community Response Grants and an expansion and increase to Emergency Grants now available.
These grants have been activated under council’s COVID-19 Community Relief Plan, which brings together a range of initiatives as part of council’s continuing response to the severe impacts being experienced by communities across our region.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group Chair Mark Jamieson said council had been working with and listening to many community groups across the region during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Council understands many have lost critical revenue which they need to survive, or in some cases, want to get some critical work done to their facilities whilst restrictions are in place,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“Our community organisations are critical to keeping our community safe, healthy and resilient and many of these organisations are struggling with the disruption to daily life which the COVID-19 pandemic and associated national public health directions have caused.
“We know our community organisations are doing it tough and to all the volunteers and officials who make these organisations work, I want to assure you that our council stands by you.
“A major priority for our council is to work with the community to understand their changing needs and support appropriate response measures as we move through this pandemic and into the recovery phase.
“I would encourage all community organisations who are eligible to please immediately apply for these grants.”
COVID-19 Community Response Grants include four categories:
· Operational and Maintenance (funding up to $5000)
· Continuity and Connectivity (funding up to $5000)
· Capacity Building (funding up to $3000), and
· Facility Improvement (funding up to $10,000).
Applicants can make two applications per round, however they must be in different categories.
Applications must respond to a COVID-19 impact and demonstrate evidence of financial hardship and/or need for funding assistance.
These COVID-19 Community Response Grants are now open and applications close Monday June 1.
In addition, council’s Emergency Grants have been expanded and increased to help not-for-profit community organisations requiring a rapid response. Applicants can now apply for up to $3000, subject to eligibility criteria.
Council strives to process Emergency Grants applications within two weeks.
Applications for all council grants can be made via council’s website. For further details, including grant eligibility criteria, visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/grants.
Mayor Jamieson said supporting community organisations is integral to achieving the vision of our Sunshine Coast Community Strategy 2019-2041 – Together we Thrive.
“Stepping up to the plate and tailoring our grants to meet the needs of the community services sector is an inherent part of the collaboration and social partnership that is embedded in our Community Strategy,” Mayor Jamieson said.
The COVID-19 Community Relief Plan outlines council’s commitment across a wide cross section of programs and activities, such as rent relief and waiver of local government fees and charges for community organisations experiencing financial hardship, alongside ongoing advocacy to the State and Federal governments so the human services agencies in our region are appropriately resourced to support the response and recovery effort.
Council’s Community Relief Plan will continue to support community connections and social well-being, such as the At Home in My Neighbourhood #COVIDKindness initiative and The Lift Project Sunshine Coast.
