The Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin and Parliamentary Secretary for the Voluntary Sector, Ursula Stephens, today announced Temporary Financial Assistance grants to 37 organisations through the Australian Government’s Jobs Fund.

The announcement was prompted by a Government-commissioned report, Impact of the economic downturn on not-for-profit organisation management, which revealed that more Australians under financial pressure are turning to community organisations for help.

The report showed that the increased demand for services had been coupled with a reduction in investment income, corporate funding and support from philanthropic trusts and foundations, putting added stress on non-profits, especially in the past twelve months.

Temporary Financial Assistance grants are provided under the Get Communities Working stream of the Jobs Fund. It will support charitable and non-profit organisations that have experienced a decrease in donations in the current economic downturn.

The funding from the Temporary Financial Assistance grants will assist a variety of organisations including:
• The Australian Red Cross whose nation-wide work assists people with mental illness.
• Cystic Fibrosis Queensland which provides vital services to people with cystic fibrosis.
• Jesuit Social Services which runs the Abbotsford Biscuits Kitchen, providing employment for disadvantaged young people.

The Jobs Fund is a $650 million Australian Government initiative to support, create or retain jobs and increase skills through innovative projects that build community infrastructure and increase social capital in local communities across the country.