HMS Bushfires Grants Fund

Introduction

The Helen Macpherson Smith Trust has 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 has established a special $2 million HMS Bushfires Grants Fund. This fund is made available in addition to the Trust’s normal grant rounds.

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 will be 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 is 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 are underway. Our grants are not focussed on supplying emergency aid, which the trustees regard as the responsibility of government and the major charities that receive public donations.

Our Trust has given grants across regional and rural Victoria for many years and we know the dedication and capability of many charitable organisations operating in the affected areas. We would be happy to coordinate ideas or work together in various collaborative partnerships with our peers and other agencies also seeking restoration of community fabric and social networks.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a grant, community organisations must be classified by the ATO as one of the following:

• a Charitable Institution
  
• or a Public Benevolent Institution
  
• or a Health Promotion Charity
  

Eligible organisations which already have a current active grant from our Trust, but unrelated to the bushfire tragedy, are eligible to apply to this special Grants Fund.

Further information on eligibility can be found in Applying for a Grant