"We are so grateful to everyone who has donated to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal enabling us to provide financial, material and emotional support to communities devastated by the Black Summer bushfires," said Jack de Groot, Vinnies NSW CEO.

"During Round One we approved $308,000 allocated across 19 community projects. We are pleased to announce the next round of the Community Bushfire Grants Program which will continue to make a real difference to communities as they recover and rebuild from the traumatic events of last summer."

The Community Bushfire Grants Program from Vinnies NSW will stand in partnership with recovery initiatives from Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn. Mike Riley, Vinnies NSW Bushfire Co-ordinator, has been managing the bushfire response in NSW and will oversee the grants application process.

"We understand that the bushfires have impacted communities in different ways, and that affected residents have the first-hand knowledge of what projects will provide the most benefit to the whole community," said Mr Riley.

"This program is part of our long-term response in supporting communities impacted by the bushfires. We will assess a wide range of applications put forward, including infrastructure repairs, counselling, education and programs promoting community inclusion and engagement."

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Through Round Two of the Vinnies NSW Community Bushfire Grants Program, $900,000 will be provided through grants of up to $20,000 to registered community organisations, helping them to lead their own local recovery projects.

Applications for Round Two grants are now open and will close on 11 October 2020. Interested organisations are invited to visit www.vinnies.org.au/bushfiregrants.

For more information about the St Vincent de Paul Society's work in bushfire relief and recovery across Australia, visit www.vinnies.org.au/bushfire.