The Strong and Resilient Communities – Community Support – Small Grants for Volunteer Involving Organisations Activity delivered $2,598,692 nationally, in small grants of $10,000 – $20,000, to 154 grassroots volunteer involving organisations. Grassroots organisations were defined as organisations that have:
- a workforce with a proportion of 40% or more volunteers; an annual income of below $500,000; and
- support one or more of the identified priority groups (as identified below).
This activity was part of the broader Strong and Resilient Communities (SARC) Activity, funded by the Department of Social Services. The Activity provides grant funding to organisations for one-off, time limited projects. These are community-driven and designed to help vulnerable and disadvantaged people participate socially and economically.
SARC helps build strong and resilient
communities that support people to:
- overcome disadvantage
- provide greater community
- engagement
- promote participation and belonging
- promote better education, training and employment
- build self-reliance and empowerment.
The Strong and Resilient Communities – Community Support – Small Grants funding was available to support activities taking place between 29 November 2024 – 30 May 2025.
Read the full Impact Report below.
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, and administered by the State and Territory volunteering peak bodies.
Grant Recipients
2024-25 Strong and Resilient Communities Activity Grant Recipients:
A Fairer World shares the voices of Tasmanians who have experienced stigma and discrimination to create a more inclusive community. Through this grant funding, A Fairer World will provide safe spaces to build the capacity of volunteers to share lived experiences, and foster empathy and inclusion through public storytelling events such as the Tasmanian Diversity and Inclusion Expo.
Be Hers addresses the critical issues of human trafficking and exploitation, and their root causes globally and in Tasmania. Through this grant funding, Be Hers will enhance their volunteer management capability through training that enables their volunteers and, in turn, empowers the individuals they serve.
Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden aspires to be a world recognised woodland garden showcasing and protecting Rhododendrons. Through this grant funding, Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden will run a series of workshops to train volunteers and volunteer managers, and to improve the policies and procedures regarding the recruitment, empowerment and retention of volunteers.
Hospice Care Association focuses on improving the lives of people with life-limiting illnesses enabling them to maintain a dignified lifestyle in the environment of their choice. Through this grant funding, Hospice Care Association will engage a consultant to assist with the development of a Volunteering Strategy and a trainer to build volunteer management capacity and improve the quality of volunteer programs.
Hospice Volunteers South help those with a life limiting illness to live their best life. Through this grant funding, Hospice Volunteers South will increase the capacity of women in the local community to engage with others by volunteering, becoming trainers, building skills and confidence and volunteer numbers.
Huonville Lions Football Club are a community football club fielding teams at both Senior and Junior Level. Through this grant funding, Huonville Lions Football Club aim to empower young people and women to take on essential volunteer roles through training and support to increase female participation in the club.
Live Well Tasmania improves the health and wellbeing of their local community with a focus on disadvantaged youth, using a whole of community wellbeing approach. Through this grant funding, Live Well Tasmania will develop a comprehensive Volunteer Management Policy and provide training for volunteers that improves the quality of the volunteer experience and the recruitment of volunteers. In addition they will build volunteer capacity for the unemployed through a life skills program.
New Mornings provide community-based mental health support programs including a focus on individuals with complex mental health, and those who are isolated, marginalised or vulnerable. Through this grant funding, New Mornings will engage a dedicated volunteer recruiter to increase their volunteer numbers and capability to support young people who are disengaged, or at risk of disengaging, from education, and to help reconnection with their community.
Print Radio is a community radio station that provides a vital radio reading service for individuals with low vision and low literacy. Through this grant funding, Print Radio will undertake an accessibility audit to inform a revamp of facilities and resources with the goal to identify and remove barriers that may prevent people with disability from volunteering.
Prison Fellowship Australia – Tasmania offers one-on-one friendship and training to inmates and helps ex-prisoners reintegrate into community. They also support the family of inmates, especially children. Through this grant funding, Prison Fellowship Australia – Tasmania will recruit and train volunteers who can support inmates within Hobart’s Risdon Prison Complex; many of whom face mental health challenges.
Sorell Community Network is a volunteer run community organisation focused on empowering community members to eradicate poverty. Through this grant funding, Sorell Community Network will build capacity for all volunteers to engage effectively with their community and develop mentors to help participants move out of poverty and create sustained change.
Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations (TASSO) is the peak body for state School Associations within Tasmania. Through this grant funding, TASSO aim to strengthen and support the volunteering efforts that exist within Tasmanian schools by creating a suite of resources to support and engage volunteers.
West Moonah Neighbourhood House is a social hub providing opportunities for the community, featuring a Community Shed, Community Garden and Community Preschool, and delivering a wide range of services to the local community. They will build volunteer confidence, communication and leadership skills through training, enhance skills and address skill shortages.
Rio Tinto Bell Bay Aluminium Garden Makeover – March 2025
Rio Tinto Bell Bay Aluminium Freezer Filler Meals – December 2025
Rio Tinto Bell Bay Aluminium Donation Sorting – September 2024
Rio Tinto Bell Bay Aluminium Pipers River Boardwalk and Viewing Platform – February 2026
Rio Tinto Bell Bay Aluminium Community Garden – December 2025
