By Molly Magennis
Applications are now open for the 2022 Make it Happen Hobsons Bay Recovery and Reconnection grants.
Grants of up to $25,000 and equipment grants of up to $3,000 are available for community groups, non-profit organisations, clubs, producers, community centres and neighbourhood houses.
The grants can be used for activities, projects, programs, events and resources across all sectors including environment, sustainability, sport and recreation, arts and culture, health and wellbeing, multicultural, children and families and more.
Applications are open until May 18, and activities, programs, events and equipment purchases need to be placed by December 30 2023.
Further grants rounds are expected to open during 2022-23 for applications over this timeframe if residents are not ready to apply just yet.
Grants will be assessed each month.
Mayor of Hobsons Bay Cr Peter Hemphill said the grants program adds value to a range of sectors through the lens of recovery and reconnection.
“More than $650,000 is available in grant funding, including a contribution from Toyota Australia of $40,000, and the addition of $162,500 from Council’s Community Support Package 4,” he said.
“We want to fund initiatives to boost participation in community life, see economic and social benefits from events, and support projects that enable people to be active, to help create social connection and may help address mental health impacts and recovery.”
In 2021, the Make It Happen Recovery and Reconnection grant combined multiple council funding streams such as the Hobsons Bay Environmental Grants, Hobsons Bay Events and Festivals Funding and Community Grants into one. As a result, more than 100 applications received funding.
Free grant information and writing workshops will be offered through Zoom on a regular basis to help with the application process.
The first information grant writing workshop is on Monday February 14 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
To book, residents should email grants@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.
For more information on how to apply for the Make it Happen grants, visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/grants.
