Through the $10 million 2023-24 Volunteer Grant Round, community organisations across Australia will receive funding to buy small equipment for volunteers or reimburse their fuel, transport, or training costs.

Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, said this funding boost is welcomed in Bendigo as it will provide greater support for local volunteers and ensure they can continue to support their community.

A total of 21 local groups will share in the $66,225 in funding available to each Federal electorate. This round of successful grant recipients includes several community and neighbourhood houses, sporting organisations, and local services such as Bendigo Family & Financial Services.

In order to be successful in the competitive process, groups were required to be a not-for-profit organisation with a minimum of 40% of volunteers in their organisation.


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BENDIGO, LISA CHESTERS MP: 

“Bendigo has a strong volunteer base, and these volunteers are the backbone of many of our community organisations.

“These grants ensure that we are supporting our volunteers to continue to provide the essential services to our community.

“At the end of the day, we want volunteers to know that we are backing them, and will continue to support their work in assisting our community.”


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO SOCIAL SERVICES MINISTER, AMANDA RISHWORTH: 

“Volunteers play a vital role in many different ways, whether it be helping out in times of disaster or crisis, supporting the most vulnerable people in our community, or assisting with community events

“These grants will allow many community organisations to better support the efforts of their volunteers, with this Grant Round to make a positive impact on the wider volunteering sector.

“A strong volunteering sector is a reflection of our combined efforts to foster community connections, promote change, and enrich our society.”

A complete list of the successful groups and their level of funding for this round: