Grants to help flood-ravaged community groups rebuild

Published 2:00pm 7 March 2022

Grassroots community organisations that suffered extensive damage from the recent floods are being encouraged to apply for grants up to $100,000 from the RACQ.

The special funding round, announced as part of the RACQ's Foundation Community Grants Program, will focus on supporting local groups such as sporting clubs, historical and show societies, men’s sheds and charities that have been impacted by recent flooding in southeast Queensland.

RACQ Chief Executive Officer David Carter said clubs could apply now.

“RACQ Foundation’s purpose is to support Queenslanders who are impacted by natural disasters and these grants, worth up to $100,000 each, will help organisations get up and running again, so they can help their communities,” Mr Carter said.

“We’re proud to give back to these important organisations during their time of need and we encourage all those impacted by the floods to apply.”

Mr Carter said the special grants were in addition to a $50,000 donation to Lifeline Queensland last week to help flood-affected communities, and were another example of how RACQ supports its members by supporting the communities they live in.

"This extraordinary weather event has so far led to more than 10,000 insurance claims being lodged, our Roadside Assistance crews performing more than 4,000 tows, while our Bank team is working hard to help members who are experiencing financial difficulties,” he said.

Below: Floodwaters damaged all the equipment at the Caboolture BMX Club.

Money to rebuild

As many clubs and organisations now face the arduous task of cleaning up, many have been left wondering how they will foot the bill to rebuild and replace equipment.

Some examples of projects that may benefit from the grants include:

Equipment – funding for personal protective equipment (PPE), and/or replacement of sporting equipment
Capital works – to repair or improve infrastructure including fences, posts, building works
Technology services – to restore or improve digital services, digital products (such as headphones, software) and connectivity
Health/Domestic violence – projects related to mental health and wellbeing.