The Philmac Project is a unique initiative that provides grants to community
groups in regional Australia to execute water-related projects.
A new round of cash grants will be available from 15 September with the
Philmac Project providing individual grants of up to $5000 to local
organisations seeking to carry out water-related projects that benefit rural
and regional communities.
Philmac, a global leader in the design and manufacture of specialist
fittings and valves for transferring, controlling and applying water, set up
the popular funding program two years ago to benefit communities in regional
Australia.
Philmac Managing Director, Mark Nykiel explained that the Philmac
Project was launched in 2012 as a way of giving something back to the people
that have stood by the company through challenging times. The funding program
is Philmac’s way of thanking primary producers and regional communities across the
country for their support and loyalty that made it possible for the company to continue
manufacturing in Australia and build a thriving business for more than 80
years.
According to Mr Nykiel, based on the extraordinary response in the first
two years of the initiative, the Philmac Project was meeting a significant
need. With community groups increasingly finding it tough to source money for
smaller, local projects, Philmac’s grant often serves to kick start projects
without the local organisation having to go through a complex process to get a
bit of assistance.
Philmac encourages anyone with a project in mind that involves managing
or saving water for the community to take advantage of the grants program.
A total of $30,000 in cash grants and $5000 worth of product are being
offered, with organisations able to apply for up to $5000 in cash. To qualify
for a grant, the project must be located in a regional area, and the work has
to be completed within 12 months of the proposed start date.
Submissions can be made online via www.philmacproject.com.au, using a
simple application form. The submissions will then be posted on the website so
that people can show support for the projects by voting online. The five
projects in each region that attract the most votes will be shortlisted for
final judging by an expert panel.
Applicants can lodge submissions until December 12, 2014 and recipients
will be announced in February 2015.