Grant support available for Queensland NFP services suffering from drought fallout

Support is now available for not for profit organisations in Queensland’s drought-declared communities thanks to $5 million in grant funding which has been made available under the latest round of the Community Drought Support Program.

Community groups, local councils, not-for-profit organisations and school P&Cs in Queensland’s drought-declared communities are all eligible to apply, with the State’s Minister for Communities and Housing, Leeanne Enoch, noting that 67 percent of Queensland is now drought-declared.

“We know that Queenslanders living in the state’s 41 fully drought-declared and four partially drought-declared areas are doing it tough and will continue to need our support,” Ms Enoch said.

The program will help recipients deliver food, vouchers, care packages, school breakfasts, assistance with bill payments and boost social connectedness in their communities by hosting events and activities.

Drought, she said, affects more than just farmers and agri-businesses, noting that the grants will extend support to non-farming small business operators including local tradespeople and retailers.

In the previous round, 61 organisations shared in $5 million funding including recipients like the Charleville School of Distance Education P&C Association, the Tara and District Family Support Committee and the Longreach, Inglewood and Monto Show Societies.

Ms Enoch encouraged eligible organisations, groups and local councils to apply for the Community Drought Support Program funding, noting that for many of these communities, recovery is not only about moving on from the impact of extended periods of drought, but also the impacts of COVID-19 on local tourism and trade in their towns.

Applications open today, 18 January 2021, and will close on 15 February 2021. 

For more information visit www.communities.qld.gov.au/funding.