Council cash boosts community projects

Snuff Puppets have received a community grant for a new project. Photo by Benjamin Millar

Programs to improve health, parenting and community connection are some of the 50 projects that will share in $166,000 from Maribyrnong council’s latest round of community grants funding.

The 2016-17 Community Grants Program was approved at last week’s council meeting, signing off on funding for 50 of the 75 grant applications.

Eighteen ‘large grants’, totalling $104,000, were approved along with 20 arts and culture grants valued at almost $23,000, 11 community development grants ($16,500) and five environment grants ($13,215).

The Footscray-based Women’s Circus received $15,000 for a new, inclusive program; cohealth got $15,000 for a parents’ support program at the Braybrook Hub; and the RAISE Foundation received $14,000 for a mentoring program for young mothers in Braybrook.

Snuff Puppets were granted $12,000 for a new work in partnership with Braybrook Community Hub, $10,000 went to Reclink for an arts program for disadvantaged people, and the same amount went to the YMCA to tackle health, fitness and after school programs.

Cr Martin Zakharov said the range of activities the council supported was “tremendously important”.

Cr Mia McGregor said she was pleased the council was able to help organisations making valuable community contributions.