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Victoria opens second round of Toy Library grants – up to $40,000 on offer
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Freya Lucas
Dec 02, 2024
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Eligible organisations and not-for-profit toy libraries in Victoria have been invited to apply for one-off grants of $40,000 to purchase high-quality toys and equipment and establish new services.
The grants will allow eligible organisations to establish new toy libraries in their local community, with funding able to be used for educational toys, books, equipment and resources, furniture and shelving, and start-up costs associated with membership and marketing.Toy libraries are important community hubs that provide children and families with free or low-cost access to toys, games and resources, helping children to grow and develop through imaginative and creative play.
Largely staffed by volunteers, toy libraries offer an alternative to buying toys, encourage sustainability, and connect parents and carers with local community services.
Offered by the Victorian Department of Education the grants will not only expand the number of toy libraries in the state, but also improve existing services.
Existing not-for-profit toy libraries can apply for one-off grants of up to $10,000 to buy toys and equipment, grow their membership, and streamline toy and member administration. Funding can also be used for project costs, such as subsidising memberships for families experiencing vulnerability.
“Toy libraries play an important role in our communities, which is why these grants support services across the state to renew their toys and equipment, grow their membership and connect with local families,” Early Childhood Education Deputy Secretary Bronwen FitzGerald said.
The Victorian Government is investing $1.9 million over 4 years to expand the toy library network and support existing services.
In March 2024, 58 not-for-profit toy libraries received grants of up to $10,000 as part of the Existing Toy Library Grants program.
Two grants of $40,000 also went to Toy Libraries Australia and Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative, supporting the delivery of seven new toy libraries across the state.
Applications for Existing Toy Library Grants close on 22 December 2024, and applications for New Toy Library Establishment Grants close on 19 January 2025.
Visit vic.gov.au/toy-library-grants-program to apply.
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