Community Funding Opportunities and Award Programs - December 2020

Welcome to our Community Funding Opportunities and Awards Program Newsletter where you will find details of grant and funding programs that are available for the Northern Inland Region for community based projects and social enterprises.

Due to the number of grants that are available, we send two funding opportunities newsletters a month; one for Business and Infrastructure and another for Community Projects and Award Programs. These newsletters are a free service that we provide, and can you can add the Business and Infrastructure Grants newsletter to your subscriptions by filling your details into the subscription form in the footer of our website: www.rdani.org.au

We wish you all the best with the Funding Opportunities below and if you are looking for a grant between newsletters, have a look at the grants area of our website which is updated weekly: www.rdani.org.au/our-region/grants-and-funding-opportunities.php

If you need some facts and figures for your applications, a range of data for our region is also available on our website here: www.rdani.org.au/our-region/regional-data.php

Please note the below information is intended as a guide only. Closing dates and other details should be verified using the links provided as they are subject to change by the providers without notice.

Coronavirus (COVID-19), Drought and Bushfire Assistance

To help businesses and individuals affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19) access the available assistance we have created a dedicated Coronavirus Assistance page on our website. This page will be updated as details become available on the recently announced economic stimulus packages from the Australian and NSW Governments.

There is also wide range of assistance available for individuals, businesses and communities that have been affected by the ongoing drought and the recent bushfires. To help you access this support, we have created dedicated Drought Assistance and  Bushfire Assistance pages on our website which are being updated reguarly.

Featured Grants

Building Better Regions Fund – Community Investments Stream
Opens: 12th of January 2021 - 10:00 am
Closes: 5th of March 2021 - 5:00 pm
Value: $5,000 to $1 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications

The Community Investments Stream will fund new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans, or leadership and capability strengthening activities that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas. Infrastructure projects are not eligible under the Community Investments Stream.

For most projects grant funding will be up to either 50% or 75% of your eligible project costs. Your location will determine the percentage of grant funding you can receive. You may apply for a partial or full exemption to your cash contribution if you can demonstrate that you are experiencing exceptional circumstances. For small projects with a total grant amount of equal to or less than $20,000, grant funding will be up to 100% of eligible project costs.

Your project will need to deliver economic and social benefits to a regional or remote community.

 

Community Led Resilience & Recovery Projects
Closes: 11th of January 2021 - 12:00 pm
Value: Minimum of $1,000 Total pool of $250,000
Run By: Walcha Council

The  Australian  and  State  Governments  have  partnered  to  release  Phase  2  of  the  Bushfire  Recovery  and Resilience Fund. Stream 1 of this fund provides a total of $250,000 to Walcha Council for Council and Community led projects that help their community over come the social and physical impact of the bushfires.

Council  has  allocated  a  significant  portion  of  this  funding  to  be  available  to  community  groups  and  organisations  to  apply  for.  The  objective  of  this  funding  is  to  deliver  flexible,  small-scale  grants  to  locally led community recovery activities.  This funding is intended to be flexible in order to meet recovery needs of local communities.

All approved projects must be delivered by 30 June 2022.

Award Programs

Australasian Reporting Awards
Closes: 30th of November 2020 - Entries for reports for the Financial Year ending 31 December 2020 close on 31 January 2021
Run By: The Australasian Reporting Awards
Provides all organisations that produce an annual report an opportunity to benchmark their annual reports against the ARA criteria which are based on world best practice.

Young Acheiver Awards
Closes: 11th of January 2021
Run By: Awards Australia
Acknowledges, encourages and promotes the positive achievements of all young people throughout Australia up to and including 29 years of age as of 31st December each year.

Clunies Ross Awards
Closes: 18th of January 2021
Run By: Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE)
The Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) recognise outstanding Australian achievements in applied science, technology or engineering innovation and commercialisation.

National NAIDOC Awards
Closes: 22nd of March 2021
Run By: NAIDOC
Recognises the outstanding contributions that Indigenous Australians make to improve the lives of Indigenous people in their communities and beyond, to promote Indigenous issues in the wider community, or the excellence they’ve shown in their chosen field.

Closing in December

MPSC Public Donations Fund
Closes: 18th of December 2020
Value: Up to $3,000
Run By: Moree Plains Shire Council
Community, sporting and educational groups across the Moree Plains are invited to secure funding for the January – March quarter to help sponsor their next event, purchase new equipment or otherwise fund the provision of services for activities within the Shire.

Future Drought Fund: Drought Resilience Research and Adoption Program - Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs
Closes: 23rd of December 2020 - 11:00 pm
Value: Up to $2 Million per year for four years
Run By: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
The objective of the program is to invest into collaborative research, development, extension, adoption and commercialisation (RDEA&C) activities aimed at helping primary producers and rural and regional communities to become more prepared for, and resilient to, future droughts.

Active Kids Vouchers
Closes: 31st of December 2020
Value: Up to $100 per child
Run By: NSW Government Office of Sport
Active Kids is a program to help NSW families meet the cost of getting their kids into sport and active fitness and recreation activities.

Creative Kids Vouchers
Closes: 31st of December 2020
Value: Up to $100 per child
Run By: Service NSW
The Creative Kids Rebate can be put towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition fees for creative and cultural activities such as music lessons, language classes, coding and digital, visual and performing arts.

Closing in January

Australian Heritage Grants
Closes: 7th of January 2021 - 5:00 pm
Value: $25,000 to $400,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Funds projects that support places on the Australia's National Heritage List through improved recognition, conservation, preservation, and community engagement.

Community Led Resilience & Recovery Projects
Closes: 11th of January 2021 - 12:00 pm
Value: Minimum of $1,000 Total pool of $250,000
Run By: Walcha Council
Funding for Walcha Council community groups and organisations to deliver locally led community activities to recover from the bushfires.

National Disability Strategy - National Disability Conference Initiative
Closes: 20th of January 2021 - 11:00 pm Unknown
Value: Up to $10,000 To be advised
Run By: Australian Government Department of Social Services
Supports conference organisers to maximise the inclusion and participation of people with disability at their conference.

Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund
Closes: 28th of January 2021 - 2:00 pm (Extended)
Value: $20,000 to $20 Million
Run By: NSW Government
Funding to support the social and economic recovery in bushfire affected Local Government Areas for projects that retain and create new jobs in regional areas, build resilience and increase preparedness for future bushfire seasons.

Before and After School Care Equipment and Facilities Grant Program
Closes: 31st of January 2021
Value: Up to $30,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Supports schools and services to fund equipment and facilities that enable new services to establish and existing services to expand.

Closing in February

The Harcourts Foundation
Current Round Closes: 3rd of February 2021
Value: Unspecified
Run By: The Harcourts Foundation
Provides grants to reputable community-based charitable organisations which need funding for projects and initiatives designed to benefit as many people as possible.

The Honda Foundation
Closes: 5th of February 2021
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: The Honda Foundation
The Honda Foundation acts as a charitable trust, providing financial assistance to charities and organisations doing amazing work across a range of social and environmental issues.

Community War Memorials Fund
Current Round Closes: 11th of February 2021
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: NSW Department of Vetrans Affairs
Funding to help conserve, repair and protect war memorials across NSW including conservation assessments, honour roll repair, war memorial cleaning and conservation work, arborist advice for war memorial trees, security measures for memorials, repairs to war memorial halls and improvements to the accessibility of memorials.

Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program
Closes: 11th of February 2021
Value: Up to $4,000
Run By: Department of Vetrans Affairs
Designed to preserve Australia’s wartime heritage and to involve people throughout the nation in a wide range of projects and activities that highlight the service and sacrifice of Australia’s servicemen and women in wars, conflicts and peace operations, and promote appreciation and understanding of the role that those who served have played in shaping the nation.

Women’s Economic Security Project Grants
Closes: 12th of February 2021
Value: $50,000 to $300,000
Run By: Ecstra
Supports charities and social enterprises building financial wellbeing through innovative employment opportunities and tailored financial capability support for women.

Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI)
Closes: 12th of February 2021
Value: Unspecified - Total pool of $5.5M
Run By: National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
Funds initiatives that will deliver tangible improvements in road user, road and heavy vehicle safety.

James N Kirby Foundation Small Grants
Runs: Annually
Closes: 14th of February 2021
Value: $3,000 to $15,000
Run By: James N Kirby Foundation
Provides grants that impact not only towards the future educational and technical development of young Australians, but also on the health and welfare of many Australians in need as well as The Arts and The Environment.

Strengthening Rural Communities - Small & Vital
Current Round Closes: 23rd of February 2021
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
Provides small rural, regional and remote communities the opportunity to access funds that can benefit and help secure their future prosperity. Grants are available for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities.

Tackling Tough Times Together
Current Round Closes: 25th of February 2021
Value: Up to $150,000 depending on the tier applied for
Run By: Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
The Tackling Tough Times Together grant program helps communities access the resources they need to support one another through the ongoing effects of the drought.

Closing Later and Ongoing

Building Better Regions Fund – Community Investments Stream
Closes: 5th of March 2021 - 5:00 pm
Value: $5,000 to $1 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Supports new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans or leadership and capability strengthening activities that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.

Sporting Schools
Opens: 1st of March 2021 - 8:00 am
Closes: 12th of March 2021 - 8:00 am
Value: Up to $3,600 per term
Run By: Sport Australia
Helps to provide a range of sporting programs that will increase children’s interest and participation in sport.

Sisters of Charity Foundation Community Grants Program
Runs: Twice a year
Opens: 1st of February 2021
Closes: 31st of March 2021
Value: Up to $15,000
Run By: Sisters of Charity Foundation

The Mazda Foundation
Current Round Closes: 31st of March 2021
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: Mazda Foundation
Projects by community based organisations to support children with physical and/or mental disabilities and elderly people suggering mental disabilities or their carers, particularly projects seeking to address social isolation experienced by such children and their carers.

NIB Health Smart Grants
Opens: 1st of June 2021
Closes: 30th of June 2021
Value: Up to $40,000
Run By: nib foundation
Partners with Australian charities that empower Aussie youth and young adults to make smarter health choicesby engaging and empowering people to be Health Smart in their everyday lives.

Water Efficiency Program
Closes: 31st of December 2023
Value: Unspecified - Over $1 million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Funding for owners of water rights for at least 3 years in the Murray–Darling Basin to transferring that water to the Commonwealth under a contract to do efficiency works to achieve water savings.

Australian Communities Foundation
Closes: Various dates
Value: Dependant on grant
Run By: Australian Communities Foundation
Supports a range of charitable organisations and projects each year. Grants are made domestically and internationally through Australian registered charitable organisations for specific projects, or for purposes that support the ongoing activities of those organisations.

CAGES Foundation Grants
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: CAGES Foundation
The program provides funding with the intention of empowering community and creating an environment where every child has the opportunity to reach their potential.

ClubGRANTS
Closes: Various
Value: Dependant on grant applied for
Run By: Club Grants
Clubs across NSW provide support to tens of thousands of local community organisations, sporting groups, and charities that make a difference in their local area.

Community Broadcasting Foundation - Quick Response Grants
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: Community Broadcasting Foundation
These grants will help community broadcasters access funding for eligible projects when their regular grant rounds are closed.

Community Child Care Fund Special Circumstances Grant
Closes: Unspecified
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Australian Government Department of Education
Supports continuity of child care, in particular in disadvantaged or vulnerable communities, where service viability is affected by an unforeseen event or circumstance outside the control of the service.

Dreamstarter - Scholarships
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: ING
ING are looking to provide education scholarships for change makers working on an early-stage business that will create positive social impact through trade of a product or service.

Google Ad Grants
Closes: Applications are ongoing
Value: Up to $10,000 per month
Run By: Google
Empowers nonprofit organisations, through $10,000 per month in in-kind AdWords™ advertising, to promote their missions and initiatives on Google search result pages.

IGA Community Chest
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: IGA
Every day across the country IGA Community Chest raises funds to support local communities, charities and other worthwhile causes. It could be in response to a major event like floods or bush fires or something as simple as new soccer balls for the local under 8’s.

Matana Foundation Grants
Closes: Ongoing
Value: No specified minimum or maximum, most grants are between $1,000 and $10,000
Run By: Matana Foundation
Focuses on improving the welfare and wellbeing of young people from severely disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds, or whose concerns and issues are not readily funded from other sources.

National Cultural Heritage Account
Closes: Applications are ongoing on a case-by-case basis
Value: Up to $500,000 is available each year
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Helps Australian public cultural organisations buy significant objects that they could not otherwise afford. Australian cultural institutions can apply for funding. This includes museums, art galleries, libraries, archives, historic buildings, national trusts and local history museums and galleries, and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander keeping places for sacred/secret material.

Quick Response Grants
Closes: Applications are ongoing
Value: Up to $1,500
Run By: Regional Arts NSW
Offers funding for regional artists, arts organisations and communities to respond to unique arts opportunities that present themselves at very short notice.

Thriving People and Places
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $20,000 and over for NSW applicants
Run By: Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation
VFFF aspires to a stronger and brighter future for people and places experiencing disadvantage, enabling them to reach their educational, social and economic potential and build thriving communities by making grants to charities.

Small Environmental Grant Scheme
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: Wettenhall Environment Trust
Providing support for people undertaking projects that will make a positive difference to the natural living environment, in land, sea or air, rural or urban.

Summer Skills
Value: Fee-free courses
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Offers 2020 Year 12 school leavers the opportunity to upskill, prepare and get ahead through fee-free training courses in construction, coding, business, horticulture, social media, mental health and more.

Judith Neilson Institute Grants for Journalism
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Judith Neilson Institute
Provides journalists and media organisations with the resources they need to produce quality journalism and helps them cover wide-ranging topics and under-reported issues and enable them to test approaches to reach new audiences.

Qantas Regional Grants
Expected to be opened in June 2021 and close in August 2021
Value: Combination of cash, in-kind flights and marketing support
Run By: Qantas
Provides financial, flights and marketing support to community groups and organisations to help further their causes and set them up for success.