Another $900,000 is now available from the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal to help communities lead their own local bushfire recovery projects.

The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW invites registered community organisations to apply for grants of up to $20,000 each in Round 2 of the Community Bushfire Grants Program.

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Vinnies NSW chief executive Jack de Groot said “we are so grateful to everyone who has donated to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal enabling us to provide financial, material and emotional support to communities devastated by the Black Summer bushfires”. 

“During Round 1 we approved $308,000 allocated across 19 community projects, and hope to continue to make a real difference to communities as they recover and rebuild from the traumatic events of last summer,” he said.

The Community Bushfire Grants Program from Vinnies NSW will stand in partnership with recovery initiatives from Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn. 

Vinnies NSW Bushfire Co-ordinator, Mike Riley, has been managing the bushfire response in NSW and will oversee the grants application process.

“We understand that the bushfires have impacted communities in different ways, and that affected residents have the first-hand knowledge of what projects will provide the most benefit to the whole community,” Mr Riley said.

“This program is part of our long-term response in supporting communities impacted by the bushfires. We will assess a wide range of applications put forward, including infrastructure repairs, counselling, education and programs promoting community inclusion and engagement.”

Applications for Round 2 grants will close on October 11. Interested organisations are invited to visit http://www.vinnies.org.au/bushfiregrants.