GREAT NEWS – VOLUNTEERING EXPO IS BACK ON THURSDAY 20 MAY!

Posted on 28 Apr, 2021

After its cancellation in 2020 due to COVID-19 we’re excited to announce that the Volunteering Expo back from 9:30am to 3:30pm on Thursday 20 May at the Wollongong Town Hall.

For those who have not attended this event in the past, the Volunteering Expo gives not-for-profit organisations the chance to feature their services and volunteering opportunities.

If you’ve never thought of volunteering in the past, drop into the Expo at Wollongong Town Hall from 9:30am on 20 May and see what you’ve been missing.

A flyer is attached so hope to see you at Wollongong Town Hall on 20 May.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK 17-23 MAY 2021

Posted on 20 Apr, 2021

The theme for this year’s National Volunteer Week is Recognise. Reconnect. Reimagine. This is time to especially celebrate all volunteers and the huge difference they make to your organisation and the community.

ATTENTION : CALLING ALL BUS DRIVERS!

Posted on 13 Apr, 2021

There is a current urgent need for volunteer bus drivers. If you can assist, please contact Volunteering Illawarra on 4227 7163.

SOCIAL SECTOR TRANSFORMATION FUNDING (SSTF) OPPORTUNITY

Posted on 13 Apr, 2021

The NSW Government announced the $50 million SSTF in November 2020. The SSTF is an economic stimulus initiative aimed at supporting eligible small and medium-sized charities and not for profits operating in the health and social service sectors.

Interested organisations can access the application through links on the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) website.

To be eligible to apply, organisations must be appropriately registered with a total revenue of less than $5 million in the 2019/20 financial year.

The Open grants are available for three fixed amounts of: 

·         $20,000 for around 500 organisations

·         $50,000 for around 300 organisations, and

·         $200,000 for three organisations.

The SSTF open grants are a great opportunity to assist the sector. A factsheet on the Open grants is attached for distribution.

2021 VOLUNTEER GRANTS APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

Posted on 31 Mar, 2021

The Australian Government is inviting organisations via a restricted non-competitive process to apply for a Volunteer Grant under the Families and Communities Program – Volunteer Grants Activity in 2021.

For all the necessary information and criteria please go to the Australian Government Community Grants Hub.

Closing date for receipt of expressions of interest is Thursday 29 April 2021.

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE 2021 NSW VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Posted on 25 Mar, 2021

Help acknowledge volunteers’ hard work by nominating those who enrich your local community. Nominations close Friday 9 July 2021.

A link to The Centre for Volunteering website is here.

For any enquiries and bulk nominations (more than 20), please contact the Centre’s Awards team for assistance.

NSW STATE OF VOLUNTEERING 2021 REPORT – SURVEYS NOW OPEN!

Posted on 16 Feb, 2021

The Centre for Volunteering, in partnership with the Department of Communities and Justice, is producing the inaugural NSW State of Volunteering report. Help measure the value and impact of volunteering in NSW and make your volunteers count!

This report will provide an empirical evidence base from which the value and impact of volunteering can be measured and recognised.

Find out more and complete the NSW State of Volunteering survey by 5 March 2021.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY ILLAWARRA – SCHOLARSHIPS CLOSE 22 FEB 2021

Posted on 16 Feb, 2021

Each year, the IWD Illawarra Committee awards seven individual scholarships of $2,000 each to encourage women in our community, Applications close at 5.00pm on Friday 22 Feb 2021.

Please note: Applicants can self-nominate or be nominated. There is no age restriction on most, however the applicant/nominee must reside in the Illawarra.

More information and access to the application form is available here.

AVAILABLE : JAN TO JUN 2021 VOLUNTEERING ILLAWARRA MEMBERSHIPS

Posted on 10 Feb, 2021

Volunteering Illawarra 2021 memberships are now available for not for profit organisations.  Attached is our membership package which describes the various membership options. If you are uncertain as to what membership would best suit your organisation please give us a call.  Memberships for 2021 will be reverting to a financial year basis (January 2021 to June 2021 – 6 months) and then in line with the new financial year 2021-2022 we will promote this in June 2021.

It goes without saying that 2020 has been a massive challenge for many organisations. If your organisation has faced financial hardship please contact us for more information.

Let’s say goodbye and good riddance to 2020 and embrace 2021 as an exciting new opportunity to reinvigorate the sector.  In early 2021 we will be in contact with organisations to discuss their organisational and volunteer needs and develop a plan to assist in the recruitment of volunteers for those organisations who may have lost a substantial volunteer base during this year due to COVID-19.

Additionally, for those organisations who would like to participate in our training programs, in recognition that 2020 made this virtually impossible, from February 2021 to June 2021 we will offer a significant training discount of between 50% to 70% (fee for service not included), more information about this will be made in January 2021.

Have a great and well deserved break and a Merry Christmas.