supporting other community health initiatives.

the Donate Life Community Awareness Grants

 The Organ and Tissue Authority is pleased to announce the next round of Community Awareness Grants to support the Australian Government’s national reform agenda to increase organ and tissue donation for transplantation, and specifically to conduct community-based activities to promote organ and tissue donation during DonateLife Week 2012 (Sunday 19 – Sunday 26 February 2012). Activities should have broad appeal across the general community or specific appeal to young adults (18-29 years). Applications are invited from non-government organisations and professional bodies, including community-based not for profit organisations or local government associations.

DonateLife Week is the national awareness week to promote organ and tissue donation in Australia, coordinated by the Organ and Tissue Authority. The national theme for DonateLife Week 2012 is “Ask and know your loved ones’ wishes”. This is because in Australia the family of every potential donor is always asked to confirm the donation wishes of their loved one before organ and/or tissue donation can proceed. Proposed activities must be aligned with the national theme.

Applicants are also strongly encouraged to incorporate promotion of the DonateLife Book of Life: A collection of life-saving and life-changing stories from people touched by organ and tissue donation. The printed and online book, which was launched in DonateLife Week 2011, is a living book for all Australians by Australians. The book can be viewed at www.donatelife.gov.au/book

Total funding of up to $300,000 (excluding GST) is available for activities that support DonateLife Week 2012 and are aligned with the national theme.

We also encourage you to send this announcement to members and networks that may be interested in this round of grants and to consider publishing a link to the grants on your website.

Information about the application process and relevant documentation can be found at www.donatelife.gov.au/The-Authority/Grants-funding-application-guidelines

For more information about organ and tissue donation, please visit www.donatelife.gov.au

The closing date for applications is 5.00pm AEST on Wednesday 26 October 2011.

Successful organisations will be notified from Monday 14 November 2011.

Please direct all enquiries regarding the Community Awareness Grants Program to grants@donatelife.gov.au or phone 02 6198 9800.