FED: Charities get funding boost on govt

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2009
FED: Charities get funding boost on govt

By Bonny Symons-Brown

CANBERRA, Aug 27 AAP - Charities struggling as a result of the global financial crisis
will get a much-needed funding boost from the federal government.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin on
Thursday announced Labor would give $11 million to struggling charitable and not-for-profit
organisations.

The temporary financial assistance grants would go to 37 groups experiencing reductions
in investment income, corporate funding and support from philanthropic trusts and foundations.

The biggest beneficiaries are the Australian Red Cross, the Smith Family and Wesley
Mission, which will all receive $1 million each.

The money comes from Labor's previously announced $650 million jobs fund, designed
to support community-orientated employment.

Ms Macklin said the grants would help charities and not-for-profit organisations keep
delivering community services to the disadvantaged during the economic downturn.

"We have many, many more people going to community organisations seeking assistance,"

she told reporters in Canberra.

"We also recognise that there's some significant pressure on many of our community
organisations."

AAP bsb/sb/dep

KEYWORD: CHARITIES

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.