MyState Community Foundation provides special COVID relief grants

TWELVE Tasmanian charities are benefitting from special grants from the MyState Community Foundation to help deal with the added pressures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grants of up to $2,000 each, are intended to assist with meeting day-to-day expenses and help keep the charitable organisations functioning.

The funding is on top of the Foundation’s distribution of approximately $150,000 in grants to youth focussed charities throughout Tasmania through an annual grant round.

MyState Community Foundation Chairman Bob Gordon said while the special COVID-19 assistance grants were not huge in dollar terms, MyState recognised that many charities were currently doing it tough, struggling to raise funds as well as pay expenses.

“This was why we launched the COVID assistance grants of up to $2,000 in February, to help those who need a hand. The MyState Community Foundation Board has approved 12 charities to receive a total of $23,699 in funding.

“One example is the Drug Education Network that is seeing the stresses of COVID increase the reliance on drugs and alcohol in both schools and workplaces to the point where it is struggling to keep up with the demand for facilitators and educators. The $2,000 grant will go a long way to keep the programs running and reach out to more people.

“Another recipient is Down Syndrome Tasmania that will use the funding to hire premises and a professional dance teacher to conduct classes in Hobart, Launceston and Ulverstone.

“These are vitally important programs and even the relatively small amount of grant monies can make a real difference,” Mr Gordon said.

Colony47 will use the funding to replace furniture, conduct repairs and general maintenance of youth shelters, Huon Disability Network to meet insurance and online expenses, Hobart Police and Community Youth Club for staff support and the Link Youth Health Services for resources to support its client services.

The Starting Point Neighbourhood House grant will help fund transport for its ‘Adventure Play Across the Northern Suburbs’ initiative, the West Moonah Community House will use the funding to provide emergency relief for people in need, Dress For Success will promote a program to government and independent schools, the Geeveston Community Centre will develop additional holiday activities for children, Huntington’s Disease Tasmania will provide special assistance for families in need and the Women’s Health Education Network will use the funding to support its workshop program.

Mr Gordon said the past year had been challenging for many charitable organisations with the pandemic making it difficult to attract donations and volunteer support.

“So we’re pleased this special support from the MyState Community Foundation can assist the grant recipients to continue their important work supporting the Tasmanian community.”