Community Grants SchemeFunding Policy

Vision

Partnering with individual community organisations through grants will enhance the development of strong local communities and support the health and well-being of the Shire’s communities.

Key Policy Statement

Carrathool Shire Council is committed to the continued development of community capacity and sustainable communities through grants (and donations).

Community grants represent a commitment by Council to the development of effective working partnerships with community groups.

Community grants enable community groups to meet identified needs in a partnership relationship with Council.

Overall Objectives

1.Encourage partnerships between community groups and Council;

2.Support community capacity building leading to sustainable communities;

3.Foster innovation;

4.Encourage linkage with or contribution from other forms of community or government support (financial or otherwise); and

5.Respond to community needs through innovative community responses.

Closing Date

Applications for 2014/15 close by 4:00 pm on Friday 29 August 2014.

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Community Grants SchemeGuidelines

All community groups, organisations and individuals need to comply with the following Guidelines.

All community grants funds will include the following processes:

Project Proposals

  • Presentation of a grant proposal using the provided Application Form.
  • Council will publicly advertise for written grant proposals.
  • Proposals received after the closing date may not be considered for funding in the current round.
  • Council officers are available to assist community groups with funding proposals.
  • Community groups are strongly advised to liaise with Council officers in the development of proposals to ensure a sound understanding of the funding criteria and community support for the proposal.

Grant Projects will need to:

  • Be locally based and benefit Shire residents and communities.
  • Be undertaken by not-for-profit groups or able to be sponsored by such a group.
  • Demonstrate capacity or support from an appropriate group to implement the intended project.
  • Have significant community participation in their implementation.
  • Demonstrate response to identified high need.
  • Show evidence of being the most effective and efficient means of addressing an identified need in the community.
  • Demonstrate community consultation in the development of the proposal.

Assessment Criteria

Community grant proposals will be assessed against four broad criteria:

  1. degree of relevance to the Shire’s goals.
  2. compliance with the Community Grants Funding Policy & Guidelines.
  3. demonstrated community support for the project (including financial & in kind support).
  4. adherence to community capacity building.

Ineligible Criteria — Funding will not be provided for the following:

  • For profit groups or organisations.
  • Projects that do not have a prime purpose of supporting the residents of the Shire.
  • Projects or services that are the direct responsibility of State of Commonwealth Governments or another source of funding. However, Council grants may complement other sources of funds to build a successful funding package.
  • Funding for individual financial assistance or gain (see donations section).
  • Projects that have previously received Council funding and not appropriately accounted for that funding.

Assessment

  • Grant proposals will be assessed according to the overall Community Grants Funding Policy.
  • Assessment will be undertaken by an appointed committee of relevant staff to ensure appropriate and broad consideration of a proposal.
  • Recommendations for the assessment process will result in one of three outcomes:
  • a recommendation for funding at the requested or lower amount depending on budget constraints and other funding priorities.
  • a recommendation for nil funding based on lack of relevance to the overall community grants and funding policy.
  • a recommendation for funding but not at this time due to funding constraints. Proposals will be presented at the next available funding round.

Approval

All community grants will be presented to Council for approval. Community groups will be required to sign either a Grant or Partnership Agreement to be able to receive funding.

Grant funding will be provided through one of two funding agreement types.

1. Grant Agreements

  • One off projects (non-recurrent).
  • Projects must be complete by 30 June 2015.
  • Up to $1,500 funding allocation.
  • Basic accountability requirements (provision of receipts and self certified compliance with the approved purpose or similar).

2.Partnership Agreements

  • Funding agreements up to three years duration.
  • Funding amounts in excess of $1,500.
  • Annual funding levels including indexation will be subject to annual notification in line with budget considerations.
  • Detailed accountability requirements covering financial and project performance requirements.

Project Delivery & Completion

Community groups will implement the projects and meet accountability requirements outlined in the Funding Agreement. Council will provide the approved funding and other support as indicated in the Agreement.

Projects must be completed by 30 June 2015. Projects not complete within this timeframe will have their funding voided unless exceptional circumstances can be proven by the applicant.

The delivery or completion of the project must adhere to the original application. Any changes in this delivery must be reported to Council via a letter to the General Manager. Council may then decide to reassess your application based on these changes.

Payment of Grants

Grants will only be paid once the project is completed and receipts have been forwarded to Council.

  • One off projects up to $1,500 may be made as a lump sum.
  • Projects in excess of $1,500 may be paid quarterly or at appropriate intervals depending on project need.

Note: Unspent monies may be required to be returned to Council for reallocation.

Review

Community groups may be required to review projects as indicated in the Funding Agreement and this information may be presented to other community groups and Council to assist other projects.

Goods & Services Tax (GST)

Where a grant is paid to an organisation that is registered for GST purposes the grant will be subject to GST. In this situation the grant will be grossed up to cover the GST component and a “Recipient Created Tax Invoice” will be issued.

Donations

Donations will be provided as follows:

  • Considered on the merits of the application.
  • One off donation (non recurrent).
  • Up to $300.
  • Individuals must have been a resident of the Carrathool Shire for at least three years.

Application Forms

Application Forms and Guidelines are available from the Hillston District Office, Hillston Library, the Goolgowi Council Office, and Council’s website

Grant proposals on the required Application Form must be forwardedto the
General Manager, Carrathool Shire Council, PO Box 12, Goolgowi NSW 2652.

Application Forms must be received by 4pm on Friday 29 August 2014.

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