Premier Mark McGowan has today announced the first allocation of grants from the Lotterywest $159 million COVID-19 Relief Fund, which goes towards helping Western Australians experiencing hardship.
Approved Lotterywest grants from March and April will see $1,098,568 support 23 community groups to deliver crisis and emergency relief support for Western Australians in need.
The grants will assist community groups and local government authorities care for Western Australians experiencing hardship, including meeting an increased demand for food, clothing, and homelessness support.
Lotterywest grants will also help meet costs of organisations to enable them to work differently in crisis and emergency support, and support increased collaboration between sectors to address the increased demand.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Government, through Lotterywest, has allocated all profits directly into a newly created fund to assist the Western Australian community now and in recovery. The Emergency and Crisis Relief is a part of the bigger $159 million COVID-19 Relief Fund established.
The COVID-19 Relief Fund also includes an initial $59 million made available for crisis and emergency relief support ($20 million), support not-for-profit organisations that have cancelled events due to COVID-19 ($14 million) and grants for not-for-profit arts, sport and community organisations to maintain viability and build resilience for future recovery ($25 million).
For more information on grant programs, eligibility, closing dates and recently approved grants, visit http://www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au/grants or call Lotterywest on 133 777.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"We've had to adapt swiftly to the changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure there is more immediate support for Western Australians in this time of need.
"Western Australia is fortunate to be home to Lotterywest, the only State Government owned lottery in Australia where all the profits are returned to the community.
"We can all contribute to WA's recovery of this pandemic because every profit from every ticket will go into the $159 million COVID-19 Relief Fund and ensures vital funding goes directly to the people who need it most."
COVID-19 Crisis and Emergency Relief funded grants - March and April 2020
| Grant recipient | Amount granted | |
| March | | |
| Beananging Kwuurt Institute | $53,500 | City of Canning |
| City of Melville - Citizens Relief Fund | $20,000 | City of Melville |
| Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation | $70,566 | Shire of Broome |
| El Shaddai Kwinana Christian Fellowship Inc | $23,000 | City of Kwinana |
| Linkwest Incorporated | $40,000 | City of Nedlands |
| Pregnancy Assistance (Incorporated) | $17,500 | City of Vincent |
| Southern Agcare Inc. | $25,000 | Shire of Gnowangerup |
| WA Mums Cottage Inc | $13,050 | City of Mandurah |
| Whitelion Youth Agency Ltd | $40,000 | City of Stirling |
| Wise Realities Institute for Healthcare Emerging Technologies Research Limited | $4,472 | City of Perth |
| Wyndham Early Learning Activity Centre (WELA) Incorporated | $62,548 | Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley |
| April | | |
| Broome Community Information Resource Centre and Learning Exchange | $57,500 | Shire of Broome |
| Give Write Incorporated | $12,755 | Town of Cambridge |
| Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Inc. | $80,000 | City of Stirling |
| Midland Information, Debt and Legal Advocacy Service Inc. | $60,000 | City of Swan |
| Ngunga Group Women's Aboriginal Corporation | $144,232 | Shire of Derby-West Kimberley |
| Patricia Giles Centre Inc. | $50,329 | City of Vincent |
| Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth - The Shopfront | $15,000 | City of Bayswater |
| South West Counselling Inc. | $6,900 | City of Busselton |
| Sun City Care Incorporated | $70,000 | City of Greater Geraldton |
| Yaandina Community Services Limited | $102,716 | City of Karratha |
| Youth Futures WA (Inc). | $50,800 | City of Joondalup |
| Youth Involvement Council Incorporated | $78,700 | Town of Port Hedland |
