2013 - Community (Small) Grant Program - Community Development (Category 1A)

Submissions closed at midnight (end of day) 12 May 2013 (AEST).

Willoughby Council Community Grants

Small Grants Program Guidelines 2013/14

 CLOSING DATE:  Midnight.  Sunday 12th May, 2013

 Category 1A - Community Development

This is a small grants program available to non-profit community organisations that offer services to the Willoughby Local Government Area (LGA).  Priority for funding will be given to projects that will help the community achieve the following:

  • Celebrate diversity and community spirit
  • Access quality community services and facilities
  • Achieve healthy lifestyles and lifelong learning 

(as listed under the title "Community & Cultural Life" within Willoughby City Council's Community Strategic Plan The Willoughby City Strategy 2010 – 2025 (pg 15).  

 

Aims of the Small Grants Program – CATEGORIES 1A & 1B

  • To support local community services meet the needs of a diverseWilloughby community
    • To encourage innovative and effective programs that address identified gaps in local service provision
    • To assist local organisations develop inclusive, effective, community-based projects
    • To promote sustainability and increase the capacity and skills of the local community
    • To support high quality service delivery
    • To encourage community participation
  • To stimulate partnerships across the community

 

Examples of projects/service types that will be considered include:

  • Projects that promote access & equity (access applies to physical access, affordability & transport)
  • Child care services that cater for children/families with special needs
  • Home support services for the frail aged and/or people with a disability
  • Respite care services/carers’ support
  • Services that promote healthy lifestyles
  • Individual/Sports Grants (see additional information for Category 1B below)
  • Services that promote volunteer involvement
  • Services that target marginalised young people and/or youth at risk
  • Crime prevention/community safety projects (includes support for people in domestic violence situations)
  • Mental health services/projects
  • Family support services/projects
  • Support groups - particularly for people who are physically or socially isolated

Projects that do not fit into any of the above funding areas may still be considered.  If you are uncertain as to whether your project meets the funding criteria, please contact Willoughby Council’s Policy & Projects Officer on 9777 7970 for assistance.

WHO CAN APPLY

Organisations must;

  • Be not-for-profit, incorporated groups (or groups auspiced by an incorporated body)
  • Offer services or a project that directly benefits the residents of the Willoughby LGA
  • Be able to demonstrate in their application the ability to successfully deliver the project
  • Have current Public Liability Insurance ($10 million)

WHO CANNOT APPLY

  • Profit making organisations/businesses
  • Individuals/groups that are not auspiced by an incorporated body
  • Applicants that are in a position to self fund their project
  • Applicants who have failed to comply with previous funding requirements
  • Applicants with considerable opportunity to access funding from other sources
  • Applicants that are already receiving considerable in-kind assistance from Council (e.g. free or discounted venue hire to the value of over $10,000 per year)
  • Government departments or agencies. (Applications from school P&C groups or similar school based groups from the Willoughby LGA will be considered)
  • Organisations with a considerable amount of funds in reserve
  • Council staff.  Family members of Council staff can apply if they meet all of the criteria.

 INELIGIBLE PROJECTS

  • Projects outside of the Willoughby LGA
  • Retrospective projects
  • Staff positions that require recurrent funding
  • Upgrades to Council owned property
  • Payment of Public Liability Insurance
  • Major capital works projects (i.e. Total project value is more than $10,000)
  • Projects that have been funded by Council for three consecutive years
  • Fundraising initiatives or events that are organised for commercial purposes
  • Standard operational costs for a group/organisation

 INCORPORATION

All groups/organisations applying for grants MUST be incorporated.  Non-incorporated groups MUST ask an incorporated organisation to act as their Auspice (i.e. to apply for and manage the grant on their behalf).  The Auspice Body must also hold current Public Liability Insurance ($10 million.)  If the application is successful, payment will be forwarded to the Auspice Organisation which will then be responsible for the allocation of the grant money to the project.  The Auspice Organisation will also be responsible for acquitting and reporting on the funded project on completion or prior to the end of the financial year (whichever comes first).

ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONS – CAT. 1A – COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Applications under Category 1A will be assessed by specialist Council officers according to the selection criteria below;

1)    Relevance to the Community & Cultural Life section of Willoughby City Council's Community Strategic Plan 2010 – 2025  (Total - 20%)

Project fills an identified gap/high priority area in local service provision (10%)

The project assists the community to meet Community Strategic Plan outcomes (10%)

2) Promotes sustainability and social capital (Total -20%)

            Actively involves the community in the delivery of the project (5%)

            Develops/Utilises the skills of the community & direct stakeholders (5%)

            Improves the capacity of the group to offer services and activities (5%)

            Will have long term benefits to the community (5%)

 3) Compliance with the guidelines (Total -20%)

            The organisation and project are eligible for funding under the guidelines (10%)

            All financial & legal information has been provided (5%)

            Additional supporting information has been provided (5%)

 4) Funding options (Total -20%)

The Community Development program is an appropriate source of funding (5%)

The organisation has demonstrated efforts to seek funding from other sources (5%)

The organisation is actively contributing to the cost of the project (5%)

The organisation has limited access to funds (5%)

 5) Project management (Total -20%)

            The project has been properly researched and is feasible/viable (10%)

The project has clearly identified community outcomes (10%)

 ASSESSMENT & ENDORSEMENT PROCESS  -  CATEGORIES 1A 

Following independent evaluation of the applications by specialist Council officers, the recommendations are presented to fellow Community Services Officers and may be moderated against other applications from the same grant program.  An overview of each project and Officer recommendations is forwarded to Council’s Managing Executive and to all Councillors for their information and discussion.  Officer and Councillor recommendations are then put up to Council’s Cultural and Environmental Committee and then to a full Council Meeting for final endorsement.   Applicants can expect to receive notice of Council’s decision in August.

Note:  This is a small grants program that is non-recurrent and should not lead to a dependency on Council for on-going support.  It is expected that recipients will make some financial contribution to the overall cost of their project.    It is strongly advised that you contact Willoughby City Council’s Policy and Projects Officer on 9777 7970 to discuss your project to ensure that it complies with the objectives of the Small Grants Program.  The maximum that will be granted is $4,000. 

 

CLOSING DATE:  Midnight. Sunday 12th May, 2013.

Late applications will not be considered.