Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and ANZ have announced applications are now open for their new national LGBTQI community grants program; ANZ & Sydney Mardi Gras Community Grants.
Launching yesterday on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) – the program will provide grants of up to $10,000 to LGBTQI not-for-profit community organisations, charities and individuals to help support local LGBTQI communities.
The ANZ & Sydney Mardi Gras Community Grants program will provide financial funding for a wide range of purposes including education and training, community development and creation, arts and culture – anything under the rainbow!
“This national grants program is important because there’s real grass roots work that needs to be done in Australia for LGBTQI communities, especially in regional Australia where isolation is an issue – and we know these grants will provide much needed support for the important work being done,” said Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO, Terese Casu.
“Philanthropic and grants funding to LGBTQI specific projects is limited in Australia. There are some fantastic state-based organisations that provide funding, but this grants program has been designed to be national and very diverse.”
While collaboration between ANZ and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has spanned over 12 years, the new grants program extends the partnership past official festivities to ensure ongoing support of LGBTQI communities and projects.
“As a champion of diversity, inclusion and respect, ANZ is proud to launch this new grants program and help LGBTQI communities and individuals thrive,” said ANZ Chair of the Pride Network, Melissa Tandy. “We’re excited to be able to support a wide array of causes and initiatives working to better the lives of the LGBTQI community and hope these grants will make a real difference to Australian’s far and wide.”
Applications for ANZ & Sydney Mardi Gras Community Grants are now open and close on 1 July. Successful applicants announced on 16 July 2018. For more information, visit: www.mardigras.org.au/grants for details.
Image: The ANZ Contingent at the 2018 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade – photo by Ann-Marie Calilhanna