With Bendigo Bank having decided to terminate its connected communities program, which the EMCE comes under, the grant will be the final one the group offers before it dissolves.
EMCE chair Tod Collins said he hoped the grant money could help as many groups as possible.
“We’ve been advised that there’ll be no more money coming into our funds so we’ve decided that we need to distribute all our funds and give it to the community,” he said.
“We wouldn’t give any one group the $35,000 because it should be distributed among local Echuca-Moama people, clubs, charities or whatever that need the funds to help our community be better.
“So hopefully, we get a large number of (applications) for small amounts, and we can share it wider.”
To be eligible for a share of the $35,000 grant pool, projects must be locally driven, provide clear benefits to the community and address a need within the community.
Projects should also be designed to be completed within 12 months of receiving the grant funding.
In the past, grants have been used to support local events, purchase equipment for sporting clubs and to acquire more resources for local groups.
Grants are only available to not-for-profit groups or local charities.
Once the grants are distributed, the EMCE will cease to operate within Echuca-Moama.
Mr Collins said the group’s contributions to the local community over the years had created a lasting legacy.
“It’s really, really fantastic to see the many things we’ve given to over the years and most of them are still around today, and they’re still helping our community in every way they can,” he said.
“Echuca-Moama is lucky to have such a very giving society of people anyhow and charities that work for the people, work for the benefit of everyone.
“It’s great to see people are always giving ... we all get a benefit out of charity, and the gift? You’ll get rewarded somehow, anyhow.”
All applications must be submitted by Friday, October 24.
Successful grant applications will be advised by mid-November and paid out before Friday, November 28.
For further information, or to discuss your project with a committee representative, please contact Tod Collins on 0419 326 860
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