Grants & Funding

Listed below are the various grants on this webpage, please scroll down to obtain further information:

CURRENT GRANTS

• Volunteer Grants
• Environmental Trust NSW Grants Program
• Local Government Energy Efficiency Grants
• Apprentice Kickstart Initiative
• T-Qual Grants - Tourism Quality Projects
• Public Reserves Management Fund - 2013/2014 Funding
• Public Awareness Program
• Eco School Grants Program
• 2013 Coles Junior Landcare School Garden Grant
• ClubGrants
• Export Market Development Grants
• Golden Stave Foundation

ONGOING GRANTS

• Local Heritage Fund Applications
• Quick Response Grants
• Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme
• Black Spot Program
• Redkite Financial Grants
• Veteran and Community Grants
• Regional Industries Investment Fund
•  

GENERAL GRANT INFORMATION

• Regional Development Australia - Murray FYI Grants
• Funding Opportunities Resource Guide - Useful tool for all community groups
   

CURRENT GRANTS

Volunteer Grants

The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous AffairsVolunteer Grants 2013 recognises the valuable work of Australia’s volunteers. This initiative forms part of the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to organisations whose volunteers assist disadvantaged communities and encourage inclusion of vulnerable people in community life.

Funding of $16 million is available to support and encourage volunteering. Eligible not-for-profit community organisations can apply for grants between $1,000 and $5,000 to:

• Purchase portable, tangible, small equipment items to help their volunteers
• Contribute to the reimbursement of fuel costs for their volunteers who use their own car to transport others to activities, deliver food, assist with medical appointments or help people in need
• Contribute to the reimbursement of transport costs incurred by volunteers with disability who are unable to drive
• Contribute to the cost of training courses and/or undertake background screening checks for their volunteers.
• Funding is limited and applications will be assessed and prioritised according to how strongly they meet the selection criteria. The selection criteria, eligibility requirements and other essential information about Volunteer Grants 2013 are provided at:

www.fahcsia.gov.au/our-responsibilities/communities-and-vulnerable-people/grants-funding/volunteer-grants-2013-application-guidelines

Applications close Wednesday 24 April 2013.

Environmental Trust NSW Grants Program

The NSW Environmental Trust is an independent statutory body established by the NSW government to fund a broad range of organisations to undertake projects that enhance the environment of NSW. Its main responsibility is to make and supervise the expenditure of grants. The Trust is administered by the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH).

The objectives of the NSW Environmental Trust are:

• to encourage and support restoration and rehabilitation projects
• to promote research into environmental problems of any kind
• to promote environmental education in both the public and private sectors
• to fund the acquisition of land for the national parks estate
• to fund the declaration of areas for marine parks and for related purposes
• to promote waste avoidance, resource recovery and waste management (including funding enforcement and regulation and local government programs)
• to fund environmental community groups
• to fund the purchase of water entitlements for the purpose of increasing environmental flows for the State's rivers and restoring or rehabilitating major wetlands.

Summary of Environmental Trust Grant Programs

Program Opening Date Closing Date Funding available

Education 16 March 201326 April 2013 $5,000 - $100,000
(Community)

Education 16 March 201326 April 2013 $5,000 - $100,000
(State & Local Government)

Eco Schools 16 March 201317 May 2013 $2,500 (60 grants)

Food Gardens in Schools 16 March 201317 May 2013 $3,500 (20 grants)

Protecting Our Places 16 March 201331 May 2013 $2,000 - $35,000

For further information on the application process go to www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/grantsprocess.htm

For further information, please contact the Environmental Trust:

www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/envtrust.htm

Phone: (02) 8837 6093
E-mail:info@environmentaltrust.nsw.gov.au

Local Government Energy Efficiency Grant 

Applications are open until 29 April 2013.

Apprentice Kickstart Initiative

The Government has extended the $57.5 million Apprentice Kickstart Initiative to make it easier for employers to take on apprentices. The initiative has been extended by two months meaning employers in the building, construction and engineering trades now have until the end of April to benefit from an extra incentive payment for them to take on a new apprentice.

If you are an employer in a small to medium enterprise or an eligible group training organisation in the building and construction sector, or the engineering trades you may be eligible to receive additional payments for taking on an apprentice during this timeframe.

An extra $3,350 will be paid to eligible employers who take on a new construction or engineering apprentice in nominated trades, in addition to the existing $1,500 commencement payment for eligible employers.

Employers may be eligible for the program if their apprentice:

• commences between 1 December 2012 and 30 April 2013
• is undertaking a Certificate III or IV level qualification that leads to a building or construction occupation listed on the National Skills Needs List .

Call the Australian Apprenticeships referral line on 13 38 73.

For further information, go to www.innovation.gov.au

Program closes 30 April 2013

T-QUAL Grants – Tourism Quality Projects

T-QUAL Grants—Tourism Quality Projects offer matched funding from $15,000 (GST excl) up to $100,000 (GST excl) for smaller scale projects to lift the quality and variety of Australia's tourism experiences. Grant rounds are run annually.

• T-QUAL Grants - Tourism Quality Projects (T-QUAL Grants) are an important Tourism 2020 tool to help tourism operators attract and boost visitation by ensuring products and experiences remain fresh and of a high standard.
• Successful applicants are expected to be announced in July.
• T-QUAL Grants provides funding of between $15,000 and $100,000 for innovative and strategic projects, particularly those that have community benefits, stimulate private sector investment, and which support the industry's capacity to address Tourism 2020 priorities.
• Applicants must match grant funding on at least a dollar-for-dollar basis.
• Projects should be complete by 31 March2015.

There have been some changes to the T-QUAL Grants Program guidelines this year, with the main two ones being:

• A reduction in the number of assessment criteria from six to four, with applicants required to focus on alignment with industry priorities and strategies, their capacity to deliver the project, the demonstrated need for the project and its long term financial viability, and the value for money which will be generated.
• Applicants will be able to apply for funds to purchase non-fixed technology items (subject to a cap of the lesser of $10,000 or 25% of grant/matched cash combined) - recognising the increased reliance on mobile technology such as iPads) to improve the visitor experience.
• Applicants will be required to show a demonstrated commitment to quality. A preferred way for applicants to do this is through T-QUAL Accreditation. Applicants may be required to seek/maintain T-QUAL Accreditation over the life of the project.

The Program Guidelines, Fact Sheet, Application Form and two You Tube Presentations are available at

www.ret.gov.au/tourism/business/tq/tgrants/projects/t-qual2013/Pages/t-qual2013.aspx

For more information about T-QUAL Grants – Tourism Quality Projects

Email: tqualgrants@ret.gov.au

Phone: 02 6243 7604

Applications close Friday 3 May 2013.

Public Reserves Management Fund – 2013/14 Funding (NSW only)

The Crown Lands Funding Program (PRMFP) provides financial support for the development, maintenance and improvement of public reserves. PRMFP funds are allocated each financial year to reserve managers through a robust assessment process.

More than $120m has been allocated by the NSW Government (Department of Primary Industries) from the Public Reserves Management Fund over the last ten years. This funding has supported important initiatives such as the development of Crown caravan parks, maintenance of showgrounds and community halls, and the improvement of local parks and reserves.                                                                 

Eligibility:While the manager of any public reserve may be eligible to apply, prospective applicants should note that preference will be given to the following reserve types, with those on Crown land typically receiving the highest priority:

• Caravan parks
• Showgrounds
• Local parks and reserves
• Community halls
• Walking tracks, and
• State Parks

Applicants can apply by the online application process (preferred) or by completing the official application form.

A hardcopy application will be accepted if the applicant is unable to complete their application using the online system. Note that applications for funds totalling $50,000 or more must be accompanied by a completed Financial Summary Statement.

For assistance with the application process or to discuss the specifics of a project contact Crown Lands on 1300 052 637

www.lpma.nsw.gov.au/crown_lands/crown_reserves/funding/prmf-funding

email: PRMFP@lands.nsw.gov.au

Applications close Friday 3 May 2013.

Public Awareness Program  

• Public Awareness grants
• Funding for NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) activities.

• to promote to the wider community an understanding of, and respect for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
• to encourage in the wider community the development of positive attitudes towards Indigenous Australians
• to inform the wider community about contemporary issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities.

Applications close Friday 31 May 2013.

Eco School Grants Program 

The NSW Environmental Trust is an independent statutory body established by the NSW government to fund a broad range of organisations to undertake projects that enhance the environment of NSW. Its main responsibility is to make and supervise the expenditure of grants. The Trust is administered by the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH).

The overall objective of the Eco Schools program is to support schools to develop best practice in environmental education and innovative solutions to environmental issues.

The program will fund school environmental management projects aimed at one or more of the following objectives.

Environment

• to promote more efficient resource use and improve the quality of the local environment
• to enable schools to address community and government environmental concerns and priorities

Students

• to promote the development of students’ knowledge, values and behaviour that supports environmental sustainability
• to promote participation and learning of students in improving the quality of the school and local environment

Teachers

• to assist teachers to integrate environmental management principles and practices into school programs and maximise student learning
• to ensure project related professional learning for teachers to gain practical and educational skills and knowledge about the environment.

School development and management

• to encourage a whole of school approach to sustainable management of school operations
• to fund schools to utilise the natural and built environment to facilitate student learning

For further information on the application process go to www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/grantsprocess.htm

For further information contact the Environmental Trust: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/envtrust.htm

Phone: (02) 8837 609
E-mail:info@environmentaltrust.nsw.gov.au

Applications close Friday 17 May 2013

ClubGrants

ClubGRANTS are not ongoing, however there are a number of areas with different closing dates. You need to check the guidelines to confirm closing dates.

2013 Coles Junior Landcare School Garden Grant

Purpose of this program: To provide grants to schools and youth groups to help create gardens in their grounds or community, such as bush tucker gardens, waterwise gardens or veggie gardens.

Eligibility:

• Any school or youth group seeking to educate young Australians about the environment
• All schools, kindergartens, daycare centres and youth groups (i.e. Scouts) are eligible to apply for a Junior Landcare Grant
• If your group is not incorporated you will need to form a partnership with an organisation that will accept responsibility for administrating the financial aspects

Financial Funding amounts and/or Program Benefits: Up to $1000.

Application Closing Dates:

Round 1: 5pm (AEDT) Friday 15 February 2013

Round 2: 5pm (AEST) Friday 10 May 2013

Round 3: 5pm (AEST) Friday 2 August 2013

For more information about the program, go to www.juniorlandcare.com.au/grants-2/colesgrant

Export Market Development Grants

• encourages small and medium sized Australian businesses to develop export markets
• reimburses up to 50% of eligible export promotion expenses above $10,000 provided that the total expenses are at least $20,000
• provides up to seven grants to each eligible applicant.

Golden Stave Foundation

Purpose of this program: To contribute towards the relief of poverty, destitution, sickness, helplessness and misfortune amongst persons and particularly children suffering from physical, intellectual and emotional disabilities.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants will only be accepted from a registered children's charity in the state of New South Wales with DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status
• All grant monies must be spent within the next 12 months from approval within the state of New South Wales
• Applications must have this completed form and be accompanied by the Organisations latest Annual Report.

Applications must be received by 5.00pm 30 September 2013.

For more information go to www.goldenstave.com.au

ONGOING GRANTS

Local Heritage Fund Applications

Quick Response Grants

Made available under the Regional Arts Fund allocation for NSW, Quick Response Grants ('Quicks') offer 'urgent' funding of up to $1,500 for local arts and cultural projects in regional and rural NSW. Preference is given to projects from smaller and remote communities. 'Quicks' are offered on a quarterly basis. There is no deadline for applications, which may be made as required, although applications are processed on a 'first come, first served' basis.

The objectives of Quick Response funding are to:

• enable NSW professional artists and arts and cultural organisations to take up opportunities that are time sensitive
• support the employment of NSW professional artists
• contribute to innovation and excellence
• promote the NSW arts and cultural sector nationally and internationally.

Priority will be given to applicants who have not received Quick Response funding in the last 12 months.

For further information contact:

http://regionalartsnsw.com.au/grants/qtg/

Ben Sibson, Funding Manager (02) 9270 2502
Email funding@regionalartsnsw.com.au

Applications are ongoing

Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme

The aim of the scheme is to help people living or working outside of terrestrial mobile phone coverage to purchase satellite mobile phones.

The subsidy is for the purchase of a satellite phone that is either;

• handheld or
• non handheld and used in a mobile environment, such as phones that are installed and used in a vehicle or vessel.

Note: The subsidy is not available for phones that are fixed to a homestead, building or other immobile structure. The subsidy does not cover any ongoing bills, charges or the ongoing service of the service provider.

Applications are ongoing.

For further information including eligibility go to

www.dbcde.gov.au/mobile_services/the_satellite_phone_subsidy_scheme

Black Spot Program

 The purpose of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport's program is to reduce crashes on Australian roads and to target those road locations where crashes are occurring.

Road crashes are a major cost to Australians every year. Black Spot projects target those road locations where crashes are occurring. By funding measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at dangerous locations, the program reduces the risk of crashes. Programs of this sort are very effective, saving the community many times the cost of the relatively minor road improvements that are implemented. Widespread community consultation and participation is fundamental to this program, ensuring that local concerns are addressed.

Who can apply?

Community groups, motorist organisations, industry organisations, councils and individuals are invited to nominate Black Spot sites around Australia to be considered for treatment.

Applications are ongoing.

For further information go to

www.auslink.gov.au/funding/blackspots/index.aspx  

Redkite Financial Grants

Purpose of this program: To provide financial assistance for young people (up to the age of 24) diagnosed with cancer in Australia and their families to help them manage the everyday expenses and keep their focus on the most important task of caring for themselves, their sick child and for one another.

Eligibility:

• Talk with your social worker or care coordinator about how Redkite can provide you or your family with financial assistance
• Redkite can offer cancer support at any stage of the cancer journey including: When recently diagnosed, during treatment, when you return home from hospital or through your grieving period if you lose a child to cancer.

This program is ongoing.

For further information, please go to

www.redkite.org.au/financial-grants

The objectives of the Department of Veterans Affairs Veteran and Community Grants are to:

• promote and enhance healthy lifestyles, particularly physical activity and mental well-being
• support quality independent living at home
• encourage involvement in community activities
• reduce social isolation
• contribute to social inclusion and access to community activities
• encourage supportive and safe communities
• increase access to community services
• address gaps in local services, and
• support carers.

Limitations

To be eligible for a Veteran and Community Grant, an applicant must:

• be an ex-service organisation, veteran representative group, community based organisation or private organisation
• demonstrate the ability to contribute to the welfare of members of the veteran community through the proposed project.

Applications will not be considered from:

• individuals
• organisations seeking commercial gain from the project
• organisations contracted to DVA for the provision of Veterans' Home Care or other services requesting funding for any activity related to that contract, or
• organisations or projects receiving Home and Community Care program funding for a specific service type that are requesting Veteran and Community Grants funding for the same service type.

Amount: $2,000 to $50,000

For Further Information go to: www.dva.gov.au/health_and_wellbeing/veterans_community_grants/Pages/index.aspx

Or Contact the  Department of Veteran Affairs

Phone: 133 254

Applications are ongoing.

Regional Industries Investment Fund                

• the long term viability of the project
• cost impediments delaying or preventing the project from proceeding
• a significant new investment in operations
• a planned substantial increase in new jobs as a result of the project

• that the business infrastructure is directly linked to development of actual business investment and employment creation opportunities at the location
• to what extent the business infrastructure will be “common” i.e. has the potential to benefit other business users (current or future)
• an estimated timetable for the infrastructure being required/connected.
• how funding will be a catalyst for infrastructure outcomes which would not otherwise be achieved
• Substantial commitment of contributions from other sources (e.g. local government, private sector, Commonwealth and NSW government agencies).

• Local Councils
• infrastructure providers
• the private sector.

GENERAL GRANT INFORMATION

Regional Development Australia - Murray FYI Grants

What are FYI Grants?FYI Grants is produced by Regional Development Australia – Murray (RDA Murray) each month in order to inform communities, businesses & industries within the Murray region of the latest Government, Business and Philanthropic programs available.

Who needs FYI Grant Information?The FYI Grants newsletter makes it easier to find suitable and relevant grants for community projects within the Murray region. Many different organisations, from large to small businesses, community organisations and even local government associations, can gain useful advice on finding the best source of funding.

Who do I talk to for more information about a grant?Please email RDA Murray and direct your enquiry to Julie Lawrence or 02 6058 0600.It is important to detail as much information as possible in your email in order to give you a clear and concise response.

Click here to access latest RDA - Murray FYI Grants page.

Funding Opportunities Resource Guide

This Guide is organised under the following headings:
• Starting points
• Gateways to community grants
• Grants in selected subject areas
• Selected private sector/non government funding sources
• Selected local government funding sources
• List of useful links

Please click here to access the Guide.

Please note the Guide was prepared by Gareth Griffith, Manager, and Nathan Wales, Research Service, NSW Parliamentary Library, at the direction of the Member for Wagga Wagga, Daryl Maguire, and is circulated with his permission.