COVID-19 Hardship Grants open for groups doing it tough

Groups can apply for up to $2000 to help get back on track after hardships sustained because of COVID-19.

Mayor Greg Williamson said in council’s last budget, a $1.2 million special COVID-19 Recovery Assistance Grants program was widely taken up because of the impacts of the 2020 lockdown.

He said these $250,000 Hardship Grants were more targeted and focused on not-for-profits that clearly demonstrated a level of ongoing hardship, coupled with a demonstrated recovery strategy.

“These grants are not designed as a stop-gap measure for groups but are instead aimed at allowing struggling not-for-profits to fund strategic initiatives that allow them to remain viable long into the future,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Funds can be used for activities like training volunteers to increase efficiencies, implementing new fundraising measures and even purchasing things like solar panels that help to reduce future running costs,” he said.

“Not-for-profits, whether community, creative, sporting or environmental, are at the foundation of what makes Mackay such a great place to live.

“And right now, a lot of them need our help – their volunteer numbers are down, they’ve lost revenue from cancelled or downsized events and they’ve had to incur expenses to make their day-to-day operations ‘COVID safe’.”

Applications are open now and close midnight Friday, August 6.

Successful applicants will need to provide copies of treasurer’s reports for the last two financial years that demonstrate COVID-19’s impact.