Deadline: 15-Sep-23
Carers Victoria is inviting Victorian carer support groups, community groups, not-for-profit community, and local government organisations to apply for grants to support carers within their local communities to enhance social connectedness and reduce isolation among carers.
The Connecting Carers in their Community grants program is funded by the Victorian Government and is intended to support all Victorian unpaid carers. This includes people who are:
- Caring for a person with a disability.
- Caring for a person with a mental health issue or illness, or who is experiencing addiction.
- Caring for a person who is frail aged.
- A young carer caring for a sibling or parent/grandparent.
- A person caring for a family member or friend with a chronic illness.
Grant Objectives
- To create innovative opportunities for carers to connect to, and receive support within, their local community.
- To increase support and access to services for carers in regional and rural Victoria.
- To provide more opportunities for carers to connect with other carers in their local areas.
- To provide a variety of local carer supports and activities to improve social connection, health and wellbeing and reduce loneliness for carers.
Grant Priorities
- Providing support for carers within their local community in ways that meet local carers’ needs.
- Providing a social setting for carers with a focus on those who may feel isolated.
- Increasing local support for carers in regional and rural Victoria.
- Delivering projects that increase opportunities for carers to connect with each other in their local community, including social activities and community participation.
- Increasing local support and information for carers who find the care role difficult.
- Delivering projects that benefit carers and can be sustainable beyond the grant period without reliance on recurring government funding.
- Projects supporting diverse carers including young carers, older carers, LGBTIQA+ carers, First Nations carers, and carers from multicultural communities.
Funding Information
- Victorian-based community organisations can now apply for grants valued between $20,000 and $40,000.
- Funds will be dispensed in November 2023 and must be spent by Sunday 30 June 2024.
- Grant funding is not recurrent.
- Grant projects are to be completed by Sunday 30 June 2024 (unless otherwise sustainable through alternative funding sources).
Eligible Project Activity
- Promotional activities including information and communication distribution, printed or online
- Overheads and support for face-to-face events (such as venue hire and interpreters)
- Employment of project staff for the life of the project
- Remuneration of carers to work with the project team or to provide opportunity for carers to take part in consultation.
Grant Eligibility
- Applicants will be required to be a not-for-profit organisation, have an ABN, and possess public liability insurance. Applications that demonstrate innovation and the capacity to reach as many carers as possible, particularly isolated carers, are also encouraged. Projects offering sustainable community support for carers will also be highly regarded.
- Applicants will be required to provide:
- a project plan
- evaluation for the activity
- complete a mid-point and final report
- financial acquittal
For-profit or commercial organisations/entities are not eligible for these grants.
Ineligible Activity
- Equipment or aides for personal use
- Donations or subscriptions to other groups
- Capital expenditure items, including vehicles or property rental
- Costs associated with writing the grant application
- Items purchased prior to grant approval.
For more information, visit Carers Victoria.