2016 QUICK RESPONSE GRANTS GUIDELINES Organisations can make an application between 15 February and 30 April 2016 at hobsonsbay.smartygrants.com.au
INTRODUCTION Through the annual Community Grants program Hobsons Bay City Council provides financial assistance to local community organisations and groups for activities and projects that meet a need in the community. Quick Response Grants are an opportunity for funding for unexpected or emerging projects which do not fit within the annual community grants program timelines. Each application will be assessed individually and it is expected that the assessment and funding process will take approximately four weeks from the time it is received. Quick Response Grants will be open for applications between 15 February and 30 April 2016. Hobsons Bay City Council provides grants to groups to assist them in organising community activities. If you need information in your language about currently available grants please call Hobsons Bay Language Line 9932 1212 HOBSONS BAY LANGUAGE LINE 9932 1212 Telephone interpreting service Arabic Burmese Cantonese Croatian Greek Italian Karen Macedonian Maltese Mandarin Vietnamese The Council acknowledges the people of the Greater Kulin Nation as the traditional owners of these municipal lands. 2 Quick Respons Grants Guidlines 2016
GUIDELINES Quick Response Grant applications can be made anytime between 15 February and 30 April 2016. Applicants are required to submit applications using an online application process called SmartyGrants. You will need access to the internet and an email address to make an application. Staff at Hobsons Bay Libraries can assist with creating an email address and/or submitting applications. Contact or visit a Library below: Altona Library 123 Queen Street, Altona 9932 1330 Altona North Community Library Cnr Millers and McArthurs Roads, Altona North 9932 2303 Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre 2 Newham Way, Altona Meadows 9932 3020 Williamstown Library 104 Ferguson Street, Williamstown 9932 4170 Newport Library at The Substation 1 Market Street, Newport 9932 2050 Visit the SmartyGrants website at Hobsonsbay.smartygrants.com.au to view application forms and/or make an application. These guidelines can be downloaded from http://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/community/community-organisations/ Community-Grants-Program For further information about the Quick Response Grants please contact Council s Grants Officer on 9932 1000 or email commdev@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au 3 Quick Respons Grants Guidlines 2016
PRIORITIES AND ELIGIBILITY Quick Response Grants priorities What is eligible? What is not eligible? The Quick Response Grants program priorities are linked to the goals and objectives of Council s Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013 17: Goal: An inclusive, resilient and healthy community Provide a range of accessible, high quality services and social supports Foster community wellbeing, capacity and sense of belonging Provide a range of opportunities that support people to engage in healthy and active lifestyles, the arts, recreation and sport Foster cultural expression and lifelong learning Goal: A well planned, vibrant and sustainable place Contribute to creating an accessible, well connected city Reduce the Council s ecological footprint and ensure our community has the capacity to adapt to the effects of climate change An unexpected or emerging activity/project which does not fit within the annual community grants program timelines. The activity/project must be undertaken during January to December 2016 within the City of Hobsons Bay with the majority of participants coming from Hobsons Bay. The applicant must be a not-for-profit Organisation. The applicant must be a registered organisation e.g. incorporated, co-operative, trust, school, etc. The organisation must have a current Australian Business Number (ABN) or provide a Statement by Supplier (see below). Must have a valid $5 million public liability insurance (PLI) policy. (PLI is not required for the Small Expenses grant category). Note: Organisations not incorporated must have an auspice agent. An Auspice agent can be another community organisation that meets the above eligibility. Council can assist with facilitating an auspice agent. Incorporated organisations that do not have an ABN must complete an Australian Taxation Statement by Supplier form. The Statement by Supplier form can be accessed from: www.ato.gov.au/uploadedfiles/ Content/MEI/downloads/ BUS38509n3346_5_2012.pdf Groups who have already received funding through the Community Grants Program 2016 More than one application from a group. Already established projects. Individuals, profit making organisations and political parties. Projects for maintenance, vehicles, capital works, trophies or on-going staff and administration costs. A project that has been, or could be, funded from other sources e.g. fees, sponsorship or service agreement. Projects for local community festivals/events. Organisations that have previously received a grant from Council and have not provided a satisfactory Acquittal Report. Note: Festivals/events may be eligible under the Local Neighbourhood Festivals and Events Fund. Enquiries should be directed to the Events Officer on 9932 1000 or email events@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au 4 Quick Respons Grants Guidlines 2016
PROJECT CATEGORIES Vibrant community projects Small expenses Quick Response Grants can provide funding for small one-off activities or larger community projects. The projects must support community engagement and social inclusion. They can focus on all life stages, cultures, ethnicities and diverse groups and on encouraging healthy and active lifestyles in the arts, sport/recreation, cultural identity, learning and any other activities relevant to Council plans. Examples: Information days, community forums/ exhibitions focussing on community issues and priorities, projects that support people with disabilities, community gardens, leadership training, and art installations. Grants of up to $5,000 are available. Quick Response Grants can assist with small expenses for organisations whose main activities are meeting regularly for social interaction. The grant can assist with basic operating costs. Newly formed groups (i.e. in the last two years) and emerging groups based in Hobsons Bay can apply for funding for incorporation, insurance, governance costs etc. The grant is for one year and organisations must provide a list of the organisation s members and their latest annual income and expenses. Note: Organisations with an income over $20,000 or organisations that have a current service agreement with Council are not eligible to apply under this category. Grants of up to $500 are available Note: Projects that have not previously been funded through the grants program will be considered more favourably than projects that have been funded in previous years. 5 Quick Respons Grants Guidlines 2016
GRANT ASSESSMENT Grants are assessed against the following list of criteria: Note: This does not apply to applications under the Small Expenses category. 1. Project will be of significant benefit to the Hobsons Bay community. 2. Application clearly describes how the project meets high community needs and is linked to one or more of the Quick Response Grant priorities. 3. Application clearly describes how the project will benefit the organisation. 4. Application describes the community in which the organisation works e.g. seniors, young people, low social economic/disadvantaged, mental health, people with disabilities, GLBTIQ etc. 5. Applicants must be financially stable and provide a copy of the organisation s current annual profit and loss statement. 6 Quick Respons Grants Guidlines 2016
CONDITIONS OF FUNDING By submitting an application, an organisation that receives a grant will be agreeing to the terms of this grants program as set out below: 1. Decisions on the allocation or non-allocation of a grant and the grant amount will be considered final. 2. The grants will be paid in one single advance payment. 3. Funding must be used only for the purposes specified in the application. Any major variations need to be discussed and agreed to with Council s Grants Officer. All other costs associated with the project are the responsibility of the organisation. 4. The organisation agrees to honour the Companion Card and Victorian Carers Card. For more information on the Companion Card, visit www.companioncard.org.au and www.carercard.vic.gov.au for the Carers Card. 5. Any product, publication or promotional material developed using grant funds must acknowledge the support of Hobsons Bay City Council and display Council s Logo. For use of the logo, please contact Council s Grants Officer. 6. Organisations that are holding a launch or event for which they have been funded and are planning to invite the Mayor/Councillors and/or Council Officers, must send invitations at least four weeks prior to the event. 7. A Project Acquittal Report is due four weeks after completion of the project. If a project is not completed by 31 December 2016, then the organisation must contact the Council s Grants Officer to discuss. 8. Should Council grants not be fully spent, the remaining unspent funds must be returned to Council. This must be evidenced in the Acquittal Report. 7 Quick Respons Grants Guidlines 2016