Youth Charities Get Helping Hand from Optus

Optus Community Grants is now in its fifth year supporting local Australian communities around the country.

With a focus on supporting vulnerable youth, the program calls on community organisations, charities and Not for Profits to apply for grants that will help fund projects up to $10,000.

Helen Maisano, Associate Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Optus said, "Support and opportunity is key for Australia’s youth in realising their potential and Optus is committed to providing them with the platform to succeed.

"Optus Community Grants were devised to help vulnerable youth gain access to educational and technology tools, as well as securing their wellbeing.”

“There are countless organisations around the country that are doing amazing things for disadvantaged students and youth. The heart and effort is always there but on many occasions, they’re in need of more financial support and Optus is delighted to be able to assist.”

The program looks to support projects that focus on improving education outcomes, improve young people’s wellbeing and providing youth with access to technology. To be eligible to receive a grant, organisations need to be a registered, Not for Profit and have a project that helps vulnerable youth. Successful applicants can receive funding up to $10,000.

Past projects have included providing technology for afterschool home programs which have enhanced learning and social development of young people in disadvantaged communities, supporting the development of an electronic colloquial language guide for an indigenous community, and helping disadvantaged young people get their first job.

Helen continued, "When assessing applications, we look at a number of factors, including the impact the program will have in the community and whether it meets a critical need. While we’re keen on seeing how innovation and technology is being implemented to provide benefit to vulnerable youth, we are also looking for projects that are well-planned and can really demonstrate how the prospects of Australia’s youth will improve as a result.”

Interested applicants can find a comprehensive set of guidelines on the Optus website, along with more information about past successful programs.

"Since launching Optus Community Grants nearly five years ago, nearly a million dollars have been donated to over 160 community organisations. We’re proud to have helped out, worked with and supported so many local charities do great things across the country, and we are keen to keep this momentum going,” said Helen.

“Applications for the next round of Optus Community Grants are open for the month of October only so we’d encourage organisations to act quickly and submit their applications as soon as they can.”

Applications for Optus Community Grants close on October 31st 2013.

Successful applicants will be announced on December 16th 2013.

To find out more and apply, visit www.optus.com.au/grants.