Federal Government’s Volunteer Grants now open

Grants between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to help eligible not-for-profit organisations purchase equipment, cover fuel costs, and for the first time, provide training courses and background checks.

In 2009 more than 6,700 organisations received funding as part of the Volunteer Grants program, supporting more than 366,000 volunteers.

Volunteer Grants 2010 will provide practical and tangible support to community organisations across Australia to support volunteers and encourage more people to take up volunteering.

Applications close on Friday 16 April 2010.

For more information visit the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Call for abstracts for Volunteering Australia conference

Volunteering Australia is requesting abstracts for the 13th National Conference on Volunteering, to be held from 27-29 October in Melbourne.

The conference will draw together papers, workshops and ideas that explore the following streams:

• Innovate: Sessions that address different or innovative volunteer programs or approaches to volunteering.
• Adapt: Sessions that address the changing environment and how the sector has had to adapt, or is adapting, to change.
• Act: Sessions that look at the systems, policies and procedures in volunteering and volunteer management in a practical way that provides delegates with solutions, tools and tips.

Topics of particular interest may include youth volunteering, corporate volunteering, training and skills development, recognition for volunteers, sponsorships and grants, and spontaneous volunteering.

Abstracts are due by Friday 16 April 2010.

Those interested in submitting abstracts are encouraged to look at the speaker guidelines at Volunteering Australia.