Non-profit community organisations and schools on the Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island can apply for a share of $70,000 worth of Regional Safety Grants from the RAA.

Applications for the eleventh round of grants open from Friday 30 September and close Monday 31 October.

RAA Insurance Chief Executive Tom Griffiths said RAA has provided almost half-a-million dollars in grants to around 150 community groups since 2013/14.

This includes $5000 given to the Chiton Rocks Surf Life Saving Club last year for a new inflatable rescue boat.

“These community groups include volunteer firefighters, sporting and Surf Life Saving clubs, progress associations, scouts and schools,’’ Mr Griffiths said.

“The annual funding total was increased to $70,000 – or 40 per cent – at the last round of grants in recognition of the important role hard working regional community groups play in making their local areas safer during the pandemic.

Applications are open for grants ranging from $500 to $10,000.

“Fundraising for these important projects can be difficult for small regional communities, which is why RAA’s Regional Safety Grants play an important part in providing much needed funds.’’

Mr Griffiths said RAA Insurance has funded grassroots projects for road safety, security, medical equipment and children’s education, alongside our ongoing commitment to bushfire safety projects.

“Our grants have made a difference from the West Coast to the Far North, the South East and regions in between,’’ he said.

The Paracombe CFS Brigade in the Mount Lofty Ranges was a successful applicant of the previous round of RAA Regional Safety Grants, which funded its purchase of a thermal imagery camera and a portable weather meter.

At the time, the brigade’s Senior Fire Fighter John McMahon said “it was quite an easy process’’ to apply online for the grant, and he encouraged other CFS brigades and community groups to consider doing so.

Not-for-profit organisations, community groups, schools and registered charities with a project or activity that will improve safety in their local area can apply throughout October for grants ranging from $500 to $10,000.

Nominations for RAA Regional Safety Grants open Friday 30st September, and close at midnight on Monday 31st October 2022. For more information visit www.raa.com.au/grants