Community Connect
Welcome to the seventh edition of Family and Community Services' e-newsletter.
ISSUE 7 • JULY 2009
E-news from Family and Community Services
Critical Social Services Seek Access to New Fund
The Government launched a fund in early May supporting social services to deliver real help to communities during the recession. The new fund has attracted widespread interest from the community sector.
The Community Response Fund makes up to $40 million available to assist critical social support service organisations facing cost and demand pressures in the 2009/10 year.
Applications for the fund are being considered in three stages between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010. The first of the three funding rounds for the financial year closed on 3 July, with 294 applications received.
Applications for the second round of funding opened on 6 July and close in mid September 2009.
Minister for Social Development and Employment, Paula Bennett said there's been considerable interest in the first funding round of the Community Response Fund.
"It tells us we're on the right track with this fund. We know organisations are feeling the squeeze, and we're determined to support them and the valuable work they do in our communities," Ms Bennett said. "As I said when I announced the Community Response Fund prior to the Budget, this is a short-term response to serious funding issues being faced by organisations which work with vulnerable families, children, young or older people."
Around a third of applications to the 12 regional panels have come from the Auckland area. Most of the applications have been made on the basis that organisations are experiencing a funding crisis, as well as an increase in demand.
Regional panels will consider the first round of applications at the end of July, and decisions are expected to be announced in August.
The maximum amount of funding available is $50,000 per application.
There is provision for grants above that amount, but only in exceptional circumstances.
"We know there are groups working with the most at-risk individuals and families which are really struggling in the current economic climate. The Community Response Fund recognises and responds to those needs. I'd encourage those groups which meet the criteria to apply to the Community Response Fund," Ms Bennett says.
