Tasmanian Volunteer Small Equipment Grants Available
1 June 2012 at 11:52 am
The Federal Government has launched its Volunteers Small Equipment grants in Tasmania giving local volunteer organisations the chance to purchase and upgrade vital equipment such as computers and first aid kits.
Under the grants scheme, organisations can also apply for contributions towards fuel and travel cost for volunteers, relieving some of the stress and financial strain often placed on the volunteering sector.
Volunteering Tasmania CEO Adrienne Picone said the grants were an acknowledgement from the Federal Government of the important and selfless contribution made by volunteers.
“The grants will be used by organisations to purchase much needed equipment and resources to help support their already fantastic work,” Picone said.
Picone said the grants would go a long way to remedying some of the issues identified in Volunteering Tasmania’s inaugural State of Volunteering report compiled in 2010.
“Our research showed only 28 per cent of volunteers who incurred expenses through the course of their volunteering were actually reimbursed for these costs,” Picone said.
“Not reimbursing volunteers can have a significant effect on volunteer recruitment and retention.
“The potential to be left out of pocket for freely donating one’s time can be a huge disincentive to potential volunteers, and these grants will assist in ensuring that volunteers are not disadvantaged for contributing their time to a worthy cause.”
Click here for more information on how to apply for the grants.