Rapid response funding supports vital community recovery

Ecstra Foundation announces Response and Recovery grants totalling $3.3 million to more than 50 organisations, ensuring crucial immediate support as well as investment for the long road to economic recovery.

As parts of Australia start to open again, the economic impact of the COVID crisis will deepen for many Australians. Community organisations on the financial frontline are dealing with urgent consumer money problems. They are also anticipating an influx of consumer financial issues related to job insecurity and loss, social security support uncertainty, existing and deferred debts, and depleted household savings.

Ecstra has stepped in to offer grants totalling $3.3 million to more than 50 organisations across Australia to assist with COVID Response and Recovery. These incredibly resourceful organisations have pivoted to ensure vital financial support services and outreach continues to reach those in need. They are also adapting to meet the longer term social and economic issues that will persist for years to come.

Caroline Stewart, CEO of Ecstra spearheaded the swift funding process, and explains “We acknowledge the expertise of these established community organisations. This flexible funding will contribute to future-proofing their services and aims to build community resilience for the long road towards economic recovery.”

The diversity of the grantee organisations includes community centres, financial counselling services, specialist women's outreach teams, and community legal services spread across regional, rural and metropolitan locations.

Melissa Hardham, CEO of WEstjustice echoes the importance of this community support saying “This is a critical time for people in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne. This funding will help us to respond strategically to the immediate increase in demand, but also help us prepare for a coordinated response when we expect a new range of issues to emerge as government supports draw to a close.”

One of the communities needing specialised support during this time is the migrant community. Melissa Monteiro, CEO of Community Migrant Resource Centre says “We have seen firsthand the issues faced by migrants during this crisis, and this funding allows our support workers to be more effective, to reach more people and help them to build stability into their financial lives.”

This philanthropic funding provides grantees with the opportunity to invest in flexible working arrangements for staff, improved IT and client response systems, additional headcount, digital delivery of programmes and outreach as well as resource support for vulnerable consumers.

This is the full list of the 51 organisations supported in the Response and Recovery grant round:

Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN)
Anglicare SA
Australian Muslim Women's Centre for Human Rights
Australian Refugee Association
Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative (BADAC)
Barwon Community Legal Service
Basic Rights Queensland
Better Place Australia
Burwood Community Welfare Services
Cahoots
Care Inc
Canberra Community Law
Cape York Institute
Chinchilla Family Support Centre
Christians Against Poverty
Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
Community Migrant Resource Centre
Consumer Action Law Centre
Consumer Credit Legal Service WA
DAISI Services Limited
Diversitat
Encompass Community Services
Encounter Centre
Fighting Chance Australia
Financial Counselling Australia
Financial Rights Legal Centre
Fitzroy Learning Network
Hills Community Aid and Information Service
Indigenous Consumer Assistance
Kyabra Community Association
Linking Communities Network
NPA Family and Community Services
Peninsula Community Legal Centre
Prosper (Project Australia)
Redland Community Centre
Seniors Rights Service
St John’s Crisis Centre
The Big Issue in Australia
The Lady Musgrave Trust
The Social Studio
Uniting Communities
Uniting Vic Tas
Welfare Rights Centre
Wellsprings for Women
WEstjustice
Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre
Women's Housing Company
Women's Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE)
YellowBridge Queensland
Zahra Foundation Australia
3rd Space Brisbane