To increase awareness and encourage the uptake of volunteering in Western Australia, the McGowan Government today announced a $100,000 grants program to support volunteer service organisations.
Volunteering Minister Stephen Dawson said funding of up to $5,000 will be available to volunteer service organisations and local governments for projects which support local solutions focused on boosting volunteer numbers.
Grants can be used for marketing and initiatives that promote the value of volunteering to local communities. This can include the design and printing of resources, volunteer awareness raising activities and online information provision, such as promoting volunteerism via social media.
The Promotion and Marketing of Volunteering in WA Grants Program will be administered by peak body Volunteering WA, with the funding provided by the Department of Communities.
The grants are intended to attract a broader range of volunteers, including minority or hard-to-reach groups.
Funding can also be used to encourage greater diversity in volunteering roles, and the utilisation of partnerships with corporate volunteers and local community organisations.
Grant applications open today, 1 September, and can be made online at https://www.volunteeringwa.org.au/resources/grants
As stated by Volunteering Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Volunteers have a vital role in creating strong, vibrant communities throughout Western Australia and without volunteers, many communities would struggle.
"Volunteering helps people build social connections and inclusion, strengthening the fabric of our society.
"Volunteers are among a local community's greatest assets, but it's becoming challenging to bring in new volunteers.
"People have many commitments in their lives and they often have less time to be volunteers.
"These grants invite volunteer organisations to use some creativity in raising awareness of their work and in recruiting new volunteers."
