External Grant Opportunities

Round 5 of the Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF) is now open.

The Stronger Country Communities Fund aims to boost the wellbeing of communities in regional areas by providing new or upgraded social and sporting infrastructure, or community programs that have strong local support.

Projects must be for infrastructure or community programs that boost the wellbeing of regional areas through improved amenity and positive social outcomes. Funding is available for local community and sporting infrastructure, street beautification, projects enhancing accessibility and inclusion for people with disability, projects improving outcomes for Aboriginal people, and community programs and local events.

Eligibility: 

Example Projects:

Key information:

• Grant amount: From $100,000
• Application closes: 23 September 2022, 5:00 pm

To read the complete details and guidelines, visit the below link:
Stronger Country Communities Fund - Round 5 | NSW Government

The Real School Grants is an annual one-off grant of up to $5,000 AUD, awarded to a school, school group and/or school committee that is committed to improving the quality of school resources and communities with regards to one of the following values: health, learning & development, information & technology, or community & infrastructure.

Apply here

Eligibility Criteria

1. Entry is open to citizens or permanent residents of Australia aged 18 and over at the date they submit their entry who satisfy all of the following conditions:
   1. They are associated with an Australian public school (school) or a school-group or a school association (as defined in clause 8); and
   2. They have fulfilled the requirements of these terms and conditions in their entirety.
2. School groups may include registered or unregistered associations/groups relating to a registered Australian public school. Where an unregistered school-group may be applying, evidence that the group is genuine is to be provided by submitting a letter from a senior member of staff from the school on official school letterhead/document that attests to the existence of the group and that it is endorsed by the teaching body of that school.
3. Immediate family members including the spouse, de-facto spouse, parent, guardian, child or sibling ("Immediate Family Members") of a Real Insurance employee are ineligible to enter as the lead and/or primary applicant for the grant. Employees, and Immediate Family Members of GFS are also ineligible to enter as the lead and/or primary applicant for the grant. Where an applying group may include a GFS employee or immediate family member of a GFS employee, it would be assessed per case basis at the time of judging.
4. Applications on behalf of schools and/or school groups/committees must not be aligned to any specific section of the community or cultural/ethnic background.
   
   

Key dates:

Applications close 30 September 2022

The Challenge

To apply for the Real School Grant Program, you will need to write a long form description (maximum 650 words) on what your school would do with the allocated grant, and how it will benefit your school and/or community.

We are looking for submissions that reflect a real desire to improve the quality of school resources and communities. It doesn't have to be great prose, just honest and from the heart, so start thinking about the reasons why and how your nominated school would utilise the Real School Grant.

Each entry that is submitted, must align to one or more of the Real Insurance company values;

1. Health - clearly provide intent and evidence of planned work(s) that would promote the health of the intended beneficiaries. Where past works have been concluded, please include as evidence in your submission.
2. Learning & Development - clearly outline the plan of learning or research outcome that would lead to an improved outcome and development.
3. Information & Technology - provide a justified summary of a current lack of access to information and/or technology (including online/remote learning tools) that would prove highly useful for intended beneficiaries.
4. Community & Infrastructure - clearly provide intent and evidence of planned work(s) that would promote a positive or improved outcome for the intended beneficiaries. Where past works have been concluded, please include as evidence in your submission.

Apply here

Financial support (up to $2000) for regional high schools to host events where former students are invited to speak to current students about life after school.

The Regional School Alumni Events Program will support regional secondary schools to hold exciting events where former students (alumni) are invited to speak to current students about their experiences at school and their achievements since graduating. 

Financial support is available for events to be held before 30 November 2022.

Key dates:
Application closes: 30 September 2022

For more information, and to apply, visit the link the link below:
Regional School Alumni Events Program | NSW Government

An incentive for businesses to employ additional young job seekers aged 16-35 years.

If you hire new employees, you may be eligible to receive payments under the JobMaker Hiring Credit scheme.

If you and your new employees are eligible, you can register and then claim JobMaker Hiring Credit payments for 12 months for each new job filled.

You may be able to get payments of:

• up to $200 a week – for each eligible employee aged 16 to 29 years old
• up to $100 a week – for each eligible employee aged 30 to 35 years old.

Eligible business employers must:

• register for the JobMaker Hiring Credit scheme
• operate a business in Australia
• hold an Australian business number (ABN)
• be registered for pay as you go (PAYG) withholding
• have not claimed JobKeeper payments for a fortnight that started during the JobMaker period
• be up-to-date with income tax and GST returns for the 2 years up to the end of the JobMaker period you’re claiming for
• satisfy payroll increase and the headcount increase conditions
• satisfy reporting requirements
• not belong to an ineligible employer category.

Key dates:
Closes 6 October 2022

To read the detailed requirements and to apply, visit the link below:
https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/JobMaker-Hiring-Credit

The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Rebuilding Regional Communities (RRC) program gives small rural and regional communities the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities. 

The aim is to support community-led initiatives that: 

• Enhance the process of recovery of remote, rural and regional communities from the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Reduce social isolation and foster stronger, more resilient remote, rural and regional communities; and/or
• Sustain local, remote, rural and regional organisations and their work.

Eligible projects will have a focus on recovering from or adapting to the impacts of COVID-19 in rural and regional communities, and may include:

• Supporting, training or attracting volunteers;
• Events and activities to reconnect the community;
• Enhancing community spaces to increase community use;
• Developing services and support to assist vulnerable people, and people experiencing disadvantage;
• Purchase of equipment or resources to strengthen organisations that support communities.

This round there is $800,000 available in grants across two funding tiers:

- Grants up to $10,000 for communities with fewer than 50,000 people

- Grants from $10,001 - $50,000 for communities classified as remote, rural or regional.

Key information:

Round 15 is now open
Micro grants: 5pm AEDT, 29 November 2022
Larger grants (two stage process): EOIs 5pm AEDT, 18 October 2022; Full applications (by invitation) 5pm AEDT, 29 November 2022

To read more information visit: SRC-Rebuilding-Regional-Communities-Program-Guidelines.pdf (frrr.org.au)

To apply visit: Strengthening Rural Communities – Rebuilding Regional Communities | FRRR

The NSW Government is looking for innovative ideas to engage people in our heritage stories, boost public access to state’s most significant heritage places and stimulate local economies across NSW.

Through this Community Heritage Grants program, Heritage NSW is seeking ideas which actively promote heritage through meaningful engagement with the community. This program encourages innovative thinkers to utilise modern technologies to connect younger generations to NSW heritage.

This is a competitive funding round, eligible applicants can apply for up to $50,000 to engage local and broader communities

Who can apply?

• If you are a local council, Local Aboriginal Land Council, business, non-government organisation, community group or individual with your operations and headquarters in NSW (if you are a business or incorporated entity).
• If you have an ABN

What can you apply for?

This grant can be used for a range of services, programs, products, projects and activities that:
• actively engage people in understanding, celebrating and promoting NSW heritage and culture.
• where Aboriginal cultural heritage is included, can demonstrate consultation with, and support of, the local Aboriginal custodians

Examples of eligible activities include:
- Trails, tours, and tourism promotions
- Cultural or interpretative performances, festivals and events
- Educational events
- Promotional material
- Digital and web-based products and services
- Interactive displays and exhibitions
- Cultural workshops
- Commemorative events

You can apply for up to $50,000 (ex GST) for the Community Heritage Grant category. You do not need to contribute financially to the project for your application to be successful. You can submit more than one application, but they must be for different projects. 

Applications close 12:00pm Friday 2 December 2022

Contact Heritage NSW if you have any questions:
Phone: 02 9873 8500
Email: heritagemailbox@environment.nsw.gov.au

This program supports the recovery and wellbeing of children and young people living in any part of regional NSW and builds resilience for future adverse events.

Who can apply?

• community groups
• not-for-profit organisations
• Local Aboriginal Land Council
• schools
• neighbourhood centres
  
  

Types of projects funded under this grant

Programs that may be eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:

• community events and social activities
• sport and recreational programs
• youth mental health training
• cultural and community connection programs
• healing initiatives to support Aboriginal children, vulnerable children and young
• people affected by adverse events
• peer support programs, mentoring and training for children and young people
• digital communications and resources.

Key information:
- Grant Amount: from $10,000 to $50,000
- Application opened: 9 February 2022
- Application closes: 31 December 2022

For more information, and to apply, visit the link below:
Large grants program for regional NSW | NSW Government

This small grants program supports the recovery and wellbeing of children and young people living in regional NSW. 

The program will help eligible applicants deliver projects to promote social inclusion and build community connections for regional children and youth aged 0-24 years.

Key information:
- Grant amount: From $500 to $10,000
- Application closes: 31 March 2023

For more information, and to apply, visit the link below:
Small grants program for regional NSW | NSW Government

This program provides workers with a payment if they cannot earn an income because they have to self-isolate, quarantine or care for someone with COVID-19.

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is a lump sum payment to help you during the time you can't work and earn income because you have to:

• self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19
• you're caring for someone who has to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19.

What are the eligibility criteria?

You may be eligible for this payment if you have to self-isolate or quarantine for one of the following reasons:

• you have coronavirus (COVID-19)
• you’re a close contact of a person who has COVID-19
• a child you care for who is 16 years or under, is a close contact of a person who has COVID-19
• you’re caring for someone who has COVID-19
• you’re caring for someone with disability or a severe medical condition who must self-isolate or quarantine because they’re a close contact of a person with COVID-19.

You must be living in the same household as the person with disability or a severe medical condition.

Key dates:
Ongoing, apply at any time

To read more and apply, visit the link below:
https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/pandemic-leave-disaster-payment

The Tackling Tough Times Together (TTTT) grant program helps communities access the resources they need to support one another through the ongoing effects of the drought.

Grants are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly.

Key dates

Applications close:  5pm AEST 24 August 2021, however further rounds will be available.

NOTE: The $150K tier grants involve a two-stage process. A full application is due by 5pm AEST, Thursday 12 August 2021. Additional information may be requested, which is due by 5pm AEST, Tuesday 24 August 2021.

Click here for more information and to apply.

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.

The money is raised in a number of ways but predominately through the purchase of products with an IGA Community Chest logo on the label or ticket.

When you purchase a product with the IGA Community Chest logo printed on the label a percentage is credited to that store’s IGA Community Chest account.

Key dates

Applications close:  Ongoing round.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Your local Country Education Foundation (CEF) supports youth in your area through financial grants for education and employment expenses. Our grants contribute towards apprenticeships, traineeships, cadetships, diplomas, certificate level studies, university qualifications or employment.

Key dates

Applications close: These rounds are ongoing however generally open in the second half of the year.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Small Project Grants funding which aims to support artists and arts and cultural workers in the pursuits of creation, development and presentation of new work. Funding is between $500 and $5000.

Key Dates 

Applications close: ongoing round

Click here for more information and to apply

This grant is for eligible primary producers for the cost associated with the purchase and installation of on-farm water infrastructure that addresses animal welfare needs, permanent planting needs and improves resilience to drought. 

Key Dates 

Applications close: ongoing round

Click here for more information and to apply