Community organisations and Western Australia’s local governments are encouraged to apply for the McGowan Government’s Thank a Volunteer Day Grants Program funding to celebrate the vital contribution of volunteers in the community.
The United Nations designated December 5 each year as International Volunteer Day in 1985. In WA it is known as Thank a Volunteer Day.
The Thank a Volunteer Day Grants Program enables organisations across WA to celebrate their volunteers through events or activities such as award ceremonies, workshops, seminars, morning or afternoon teas, and excursions.
The recognition day also provides organisations with an opportunity to raise public awareness to the contributions of volunteers in their community.
This year applicants can request up to $2,000 to support the delivery of these activities.
In 2021, 30 grants were awarded to organisations so they could celebrate and acknowledge their volunteers. Many of the events were a collaboration between multiple volunteer organisations in the local community.
Applications for Thank a Volunteer Day grants are now open and will close at 4pm, Thursday July 28, 2022.
More information can be found at www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-communities/department-of-communities-grants-programs
As stated by Volunteering Minister Stephen Dawson:
“Western Australians volunteer in a number of ways in many different activities, and it’s estimated that about 80 per cent of Western Australians are involved in volunteer work of some kind.
“Regardless of how, when and where people volunteer, there’s one common thing I always see, and that is that volunteering brings out the best in people and their selfless efforts strengthen all communities across WA.
“Volunteers play a vital role in the social fabric of many Western Australian communities and we depend on volunteers in many different capacities in our state.
“The increase of the maximum amount that can be requested to $2,000 for this year’s grants will support greater collaboration across volunteer organisations in local communities.”
