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Funding for the services provided by the MS Society are received from four areas;
- The Community
- State Government
- Grants
- Pharmaceutical Companies
The community provides much needed funds to support our activities and services. the majority of our services are provided free of charge to people with MS including social work, nursing/immunology support, physiotherapy and assessment for home and lifestyle modification by our occupational therapists. Government support is primarily for our occupational therapy services and equates to around 4% of our gross income.
The majority of funds provided to the MS Society come from our fundraising activities within the general community, this amounts to approximately 50% of our generated income. These funds are used directly for the support and provision of services to the community. A proportion of these funds are also utilised to assist in research at state and national levels. Pharmaceutical companies also provide some financial support for our care services.
Grant funding is an effective means in assessing additional funds for specific programs. Grant funding is utilised to develop and administer education programs, to extend services and to purchase new equipment.
Our goal is to raise at least $150,000 each year, for new programs and equipment.
The ongoing pressure to provide much needed services and resources to people with MS, and the subsequent benefit, drives our need to constantly raise funds.
At the moment we have three grants in place, they are:
Emergency Care Packages - Newmans Own Foundation
Feedback from people with MS clearly shows that at times of relapse urgent assistance is often required, however is not always available. In response to this we have developed the Emergency Care packages program. The packages will allow the Society to implement an almost immediate intervention in regard to counselling, rehabilitation, personal care, household cleaning, meal preperation and assistance with daily living tasks such as shopping or laundry.
Packages have been made available since March 2008.
If you experience a relapse or require urgent assistance, please call the MS Society, and request to speak with one of our Social Workers.
The Society thanks Newman's Own Foundation, and is confident of the very positive impact these packages will have in 2008.
Peer Support Program - Community Benefit SA
Community Benefit SA funding will be utilised to develop a peer support programs and peer educators. It is well known that people with a chronic condition often relate better to and learn from people who have the same chronic condition. the Society is keen to develop a peer support program as another avenue of assisting people with MS. The program commenced in February.
Inclusive Recreation Inclusive Support (IRIS) - SA Government Office for Recreation and Sport
Physical activity is important to everyone. having a disability can make it difficult to participate or to find an exercise regime or program that is suitable. Utilising a successful grant application under the IRIS program, the Society is developing an upper limb exercise program for the Southern region for people with MS who are wheelchair bound. Further details about this program will be provided in future network magazine editions.
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