NSW not-for-profits get targeted financial aid

A new grant has earmarked $200 million for NSW not-for-profits struggling due to hardships imposed by the COVID lockdowns across the state. 

The targeted program came after the Treasury identified that some charity organisations who did not qualify for the previously instituted JobSaver grants as they failed to meet the threshold of a 30 per cent loss in turnover were struggling without support while facing an increased demand for services.

The new program reduces the threshold to 15 per cent for social support and animal welfare sectors.

A $50 million Social Sector Support Fund has also been established to support vulnerable people and provide NFPs with another avenue for financial assistance where they are experiencing an uptick in requests for their assistance.

“NFPs in the social support and animal welfare sectors are in more demand than ever as we battle this Delta outbreak and this package will support those doing so much of the heavy lifting to help vulnerable communities in this pandemic,” Mr Perrottet said. 

“We’re continuously monitoring the impacts of this outbreak to see what adjustments or additional measures are needed.”

The Social Sector Support Fund will provide grants and direct payments to eligible NFPs and provide a Workforce Surge Payment to support social sector organisations to respond to COVID-19 outbreaks where staff have been furloughed.

Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Alister Henskens said the targeted support package was designed to provide relief for those directly impacted by the pandemic. 

“This support package is multilayered in recognition of the diversity of our social services organisations which are working tirelessly to support the most vulnerable people in our community during this challenging time,” Mr Henskens said.

“This investment will deliver targeted financial support to organisations to help ensure the continuity of the important services they provide to those most in need.” 

Further details will become available in the coming weeks, with applications set to open this month.