Grants made to help families

MORE than 100 Defence family and community support organisations across Australia and overseas are set to benefit from more than $1 million in Defence Family Support Funding Program (FSFP) grants recently approved by the Government.

Targeted squarely at the local needs of Defence families, the FSFP provides grants to support self-help projects that assist in overcoming the impacts of the mobile service lifestyle.

Successful bids this year included projects as diverse as community centres, welcome groups, craft clubs, toy libraries and playgroups; along with kindergartens, community newsletters, self-esteem courses, local welfare associations and Defence Special Needs Support Groups.

Many Defence families have benefited from FSFP grants over the past 10 years, with a wide range of support groups and activities now available in most posting localities.

Naturally, the program could not be successful without the important and highly valued contribution of the Defence family volunteers, who continue to work tirelessly throughout Australia and overseas.

In addition to the annual round of grants, the FSFP may be able to provide seeding grants throughout the financial year.

Seeding grants are only available to new groups or projects that have not received funding in the previous two years and all approvals depend on funds availability.

Those interested in joining an existing Defence family group or starting a new one should contact their local DCO office to obtain the FSFP eligibility requirements.

Details can also be obtained by calling FIND on 1800 020 031 or by visiting the Grants–Information page on the DCO web site at http://www.dco.dod.gov.au

A list of those organisations receiving grants this financial year can also be found on the DCO website.