HMS Bushfires Grants Fund

Please note this Fund has now closed

Introduction

The Helen Macpherson Smith Trust resolved to make a significant direct contribution towards assisting the restoration of community life in the rural townships damaged or destroyed by the February 2009 bushfires across Victoria.

In response to the bushfires tragedy, the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust established a special $2 million HMS Bushfires Grants Fund. This fund was made available in addition to the Trust’s normal grant rounds. Applications to the Fund have now closed.

The Trust holds the view that philanthropy’s role in the aftermath of the bushfires lies in the medium to long-term segments of the recovery efforts, and should be related to rebuilding community lifestyles and spirit. Grants from this special Fund have been made to local and state-wide charitable organisations specifically in support of capacity-rebuilding projects and programs to restore the community life of the damaged Victorian townships.

The goal of the grants was to support and facilitate the communities’ own recovery in the post-disaster era, once the immediate emergency aid programs are completed, and government and private sector infrastructure projects were underway. Our grants were not focussed on supplying emergency aid, which the trustees regard as the responsibility of government and the major charities that receive public donations.