Khazanah's foundation launches special grant for B40, vulnerable groups

CORONAVIRUS | An impact-based foundation under Khazanah Nasional Bhd has today launched a special grant to support programmes that are aimed at improving the quality of life of the B40 group and vulnerable communities badly hit by the Covid-19 outbreak.

In a statement, Yayasan Hasanah said the initiative is done in partnership with the Finance Ministry, and provides funding of up to RM250,000 per project.

"It is intended to support programmes which will improve the quality of life of the B40 communities, including vulnerable communities such as refugees, Orang Asal, the ageing community, the homeless community, at-risk children, women and youth; and persons with disabilities or people with special needs," said the statement.

According to the foundation, the Hasanah Special Grant 2020 came in response to the government's Prihatin Rakyat economic stimulus package.

"Yayasan Hasanah and the Finance Ministry are hopeful that the grant will enable rapid mobilisation of resources to civil society organisations, non-government organisations and social enterprises to be able to extend assistance to those in need, and help them build resiliency and recover from the Covid-19 pandemic," it added in the statement.

Projects that are funded under the grant can be implemented over a duration of between three months and one year, starting from May up to April 2021.

Organisations that are interested to apply for the grant must meet several criteria to be eligible, including that they are legally and locally registered with relevant authorities, have been formed and registered for at least two years, and have audited financial accounts for one year or have submitted annual returns to the Registrar of Societies.

The applicants must also have a track record of working with communities for the past two years, able to demonstrate their capacity to immediately commence the project, and they must be directly responsible instead of acting as an intermediary and comply with the Welfare Department requirements.

Proposals and relevant documentation can be submitted through the foundation's website between today and Oct 15. - Mkini