Government 'Jobs Fund' & NFPs

The Federal Government's Jobs Fund - part of the $650 million Jobs and Training Compact -aims to create jobs and improve skills, by funding projects that build community infrastructure and create social capital in local communities and in particular assist Not for Profit organisations.

One of the Job Fund's three streams of funding is of particular importance to the sector - the $200 million Get Communities Working stream for self-sustaining projects to improve community amenity.

Via this stream funding is available over two years. Seed capital will be available for self-sustaining projects which create jobs and provide activities and services to improve community amenity.

This funding is also available to provide Temporary Financial Assistance to Not for Profit organisations whose donor base is currently under pressure due to the economic downturn.

The Jobs Fund will commence on 1 July 2009. Funding under the Jobs Fund will not extend past 30 June 2011.

Jobs Fund projects must address at least one of the following four target
areas:
- create jobs or retain people in jobs at risk due to the downturn
- build skills for the future
- build community infrastructure or improve community amenity which generates local jobs, or
- provide seed funding for social enterprises to start up, maintain or expand services, generating jobs and improving community services.

The closing time and date for this round of proposals is 4.30pm EST Friday 22nd May 2009.

If you have a project proposal and are unsure about whether or not it meets the Guidelines, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations will be available to answer questions and discuss project ideas.

For all inquiries email Jobs.Fund@deewr.gov.au

The Jobs Fund Guidelines, along with the Proposal for Funding Form, set out how organisations can submit project applications. This information is available at www.deewr.gov.au .