A further 12 local community projects will share more than $80,000 in grant funding from the Chief Minister’s Charitable Fund, as the final part of an urgent Covid-19 lockdown relief round, Hands Across Canberra announced today. The first round granted more than $100,000 in funding, bringing the total to $183,000.
This round of funding yet again reflects the increasing crisis within the community as the lockdown continues in Canberra, with many charities pressured to diversify as the normal channels are at capacity due to this pandemic.
Many local fundraising activities have been prevented due to the lockdown, putting further pressure on already stretched resources.
Peter Gordon, CEO of Hands Across Canberra, said the grants allowed charities to continue serving their communities and those who needed help the most.
“As a community foundation, our role is to stand with and support our local charities as best we can to navigate the impacts of COVID-19,” Mr Gordon said.
“We cannot thank all of our donors and charity partners enough whose commitment to the cause and the community sector’s dedication to service has meant we are able to distribute funds when it matters most.”
“Pulling together for our community by joining in partnership with the Chief Minister’s Charitable Fund, as well as providing opportunities for people to give back is what we are here for as a community foundation,” he said.
Grants are being deployed across the Canberra region, helping to serve people experiencing hardship from the social and economic impacts of the pandemic, and supporting a variety of community needs. Relief is being provided in the form of food assistance, mental health support, shelter, rent and bills relief, increasing social services, and community connection.
The following organisations are benefactors of this grant round and are providing various forms of relief to vulnerable members of the local community: ACT Down Syndrome Association, Gordon Community Centre, Canberra Police Community Youth Club Inc, Canberra Refugee Support, Canberra Youth Residential Service, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Diversity ACT Community Services, Hepatitis ACT, Kulture Break, Philanthropize, Rotary District 9705, The Early Morning Centre, and The Shepherd Centre – For Deaf Children.
Visit handsacrosscanberra.org.au to donate or discover how you can help our most vulnerable community members doing it tough in these times.
The following non-profit organisations were awarded lockdown relief grant funds from the HAC/CMCF Relief Grant Round:
| Organisation Name | Grant Amount | Project Name |
| ACT Down Syndrome Association | $2,000 | Combating social isolation for people with Down Syndrome |
| Anglicare NSW South, NSW West and ACT | $10,000 | Gordon Community Centre food and rent relief |
| Canberra Police Community Youth Club Inc | $10,000 | Safe place during COVID |
| Canberra Refugee Support Inc | $10,000 | CRS Covid Support |
| Canberra Youth Residential Service | $10,000 | Brokerage assistance for young people experiencing homlessness |
| Cerebral Palsy Alliance | $10,000 | Telepractice Support Kits for people with disability & Early Intervention for Babies at Risk of CP |
| Diversity ACT Community Services | $1,500 | COVID-19 Family Counselling Support |
| Hepatitis ACT | $1,300 | Keeping community, safe, supported and connected |
| KULTURE BREAK | $2,700 | SIZE – Social Inclusion Zoom Experience |
| Philanthropize Pty Ltd | $2,000 | Adamas Nexus Support Group for Women survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse |
| Rotary District 9705 | $10,000 | Meals for Canberra – Canberrans Helping Hands |
| The Early Morning Centre | $3,000 | Increase safety – additional emergency food packs |
| The Shepherd Centre – For Deaf Children | $9,000 | Care in Crisis’ – A counselling program for deaf children and their families in the ACT |
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