Kincumber Village leads community grants program

Kincumber Shopping Centre is spearheading a grants program for community groups on the Central Coast and is looking for nominations. Nominations close on April 24.

With funding from Australian property fund management firm ISPT, which owns the centre, the Kickstart program will give $10,000 to the successful nominee to implement community initiatives.

“During the pandemic, community groups have played an important part in supporting Australian communities,” a spokesperson said.

“ISPT’s Kickstart Program provides financial funding to enable these groups to continue their great works.”

The program is open to registered local groups and voluntary organisations that provide benefit to the community and will roll out across thirteen regional and metropolitan communities across Australia, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.

Kincumber Shopping Centre retail manager, Paul Springett, said the grant would help the successful organisation kick-start initiatives and get motivated for 2022.

“After everything that’s happened over past few years with COVID-19, many groups have had to put fundraising efforts on hold,” Springett said.

“Any community group or registered charity can apply. We’d like to see nominations identifying new initiatives and better solutions for some community issues we have, breaking the cycle of what causes the issues.”

Springett said one of the major issues facing the region was homelessness.

“With the rising cost of living, homelessness has become a very big issue,” he said. “Many people who look well maintained are sleeping in their cars with their children at night. It’s very sad when you hear some of these stories.

“You hear of some great initiatives, such as the free breakfast for schoolkids program run by Kincumber Neighbourhood Centre. We want to hear from any organisations with plans to break the cycle.”

The program is also being run out of Warners Bay Shopping Centre.

Applications for the 2022 Kickstart Program NSW will be accepted until April 24 at isptcommunitykickstart.com.

The selected community groups will be announced on Wednesday, May 25.

Terry Collins