GTT invites NGOs to apply for ‘Pinktober’ grants

After a month of activities to raise funds for the fight against cancer, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has issued a call to local non-governmental organisations to apply for grants through its “Pinktober Fund.”

GTT announced on Thursday that funds are available to be disbursed in the form of small, medium and large grants to various Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) across Guyana upon application to the company.

The company explained in a statement that organisations requesting grants must satisfy the basic guidelines set by the company, which include the submission of the completed application form, the most recent financial statement or audit, a TIN certificate, quotations for products and services and summary of successfully completed projects (where applicable). “The requests will then be reviewed and approved,” Pinktober Coordinator Diana Gittens was quoted as saying in a company statement.

Gittens explained that the priority areas include cancer prevention and awareness/education, access to diagnosis, treatment and care (and aftercare), palliation and patient navigation. “Cancer patients in need of funds can indicate their interest to one of the NGOs who would have accessed funds for cancer treatment and care,” Gittens stated.

The names of organisations that are issued grants will be published.

The small grant will range from GY$50,000 to $200,000; the medium from GY$200,000 to $500,000; and the large grant from GY$500,000 to $1 million.

“Grants can exceed GY$1 million if the scope of the project includes several priority areas and caters to the needs of populations across several communities. However, cancer-related organisations established for less than 2 years before applying for grants will be subject to increased monitoring and may be eligible for small and medium grants,” Gittens further explained.

Organisations can apply for grants through GTT by sending requests to its Public Relations Manager Jasmin Harris at jharris@gtt.co.gy.

NGOs and cancer foundations are encouraged to follow the necessary guidelines to acquire the grants.

GTT said it hopes that all affected will be able to access treatment and aftercare necessary to restore health and that it is its intention that these funds will meet the people who need it most.