Organisations and groups who serve Victoria’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer communities will be able to apply for further funding to help them grow, as part of a new round of grants for LGBTIQ+ groups.

Minister for Equality Martin Foley today announced applications are open for the LGBTIQ+ Organisational Development Grants. The program will allocate $700,000 to various LGBTIQ+ organisations and groups to strengthen the services they provide to Victoria’s diverse rainbow communities.

The grants will support the growth of established and emerging organisations, allowing them to continue their important role in driving equality for LGBTIQ+ Victorians, including LGBTIQ+ people with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those based in regional and rural areas.

Established organisations with demonstrated experience in supporting LGBTIQ+ communities can apply for grants of up to $50,000, and emerging organisations can apply for grants of up to $25,000.

Funding supports a range of activities including training to build the capacity of staff and volunteers, expanding operations into regional and rural areas and developing strategic plans to better engage diverse LGBTIQ+ communities. Organisations and groups can also use the funding to ensure their financial sustainability and strengthen their governance structures.

Previous recipients include The Three for All Foundation, which last year received a grant to provide training and mentoring opportunities to members of the Queer Refugee and Asylum Seeker Peer Group, empowering them to take on leadership roles and provide peer support to others.

Since its inception in 2016-17, 58 projects have been funded through LGBTIQ+ Organisational Development Grants, growing our crucial LGBTIQ+ sector to ensure its viability/sustainability for many years to come.

The opening of this grant round comes after this month’s launch of Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ strategy 2022-2023, Victoria’s first long-term plan to drive equality across the state, which includes strengthening the LGBTIQ+ sector through our government grant programs.

Applications are open until 25 March 2022, to apply or for more information visit: www.vic.gov.au/lgbtiq-organisational-development-grants.