Health and wellbeing projects to apply before 6 December 2013
The deadline for Medibank Community Fund (MCF) Community Grants is fast approaching, so local organisations are urged to apply to ensure they are in with a chance to receive funding for their preventative health projects.
The MCF Community Grants program supports local grassroots initiatives throughout Australia and New Zealand that encourage healthy eating, physical activity or community connectedness. Grants are allocated regionally and vary in value depending on the project.
Medibank's Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Rita Marigliani said, "The deadline for grant applications is 12 mid-day AEDST, 6 December 2013 and we've received some fantastic applications so far. However, we're still keen to hear from more local initatives who would benefit from a grant, so we can support the hard work they do for the better health of their community."
In 2013, $600,000 in grants was provided to 51 community projects from across the country, that covered a variety of initiatives, including schools, sports clubs, community groups, indigenous organisations and mental health groups.
Rita continues, "Grant recipients last year ranged from a sports program for children with a disability, community food gardens for local redisents, a health and welfare based literacy program for indigenous children, a mental health and wellbeing program aimed at men in isolated areas, and many other worthy initiatives.
"It's been great to see the difference they have made to their local communities over the past year and I'm looking forward to the positive impact this year's grant recipients will make with their fantastic work."
To apply for a Community Grant, projects must address at least one of the following criteria:
- healthy eating
- more exercise, or
- greater community connectedness.
Applications must be completed and submitted electronically. Application forms and the accompanying information kit for the 2014 Community Grants are available online from the Medibank Community Fund website
Successful applicants will be announced by 1 May 2014.
The Community Grants scheme complements the Fund's 'big picture' support of its established community partners such as Heart Foundation Walking, The Smith Family and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation by providing support for smaller grassroots projects that respond to the particular needs of specific groups in the community.
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About the Medibank Community Fund:
The Medibank Community Fund (MCF) was set up by Medibank in 2011 to encourage people of all ages to live longer and in good health. Each year one per-cent of Medibank's pre-tax profit is invested in the fund to support four program areas: partnerships, community grants, scholarship grants and donations. In 2012-2013, this resulted in around $3 million being directed to partnerships and programs that encourage healthy eating, greater activity and more community connectedness.