This Policy Will Be Reviewed Biennially By: Community Services

Arts, Community and Environment Grants Policy

This policy will be reviewed biennially by: Community Services

Next review date: July 2016

Title: / Arts, Community and Environment Grants Policy
Summary: / This policy outlines the objectives and guidelines under which the Arts, Community and Environment Grant Scheme operates and the schemes management and administrative procedures.
Record Number: / 14/21611
Date of Issue: / May 2014
Approval: / 8 July 2014
Version Control: / The Community and Environment Grants Policy – November 2013 has been superseded by the Arts, Community and Environment Policy – July 2014.
Contact Officer: / Social Planning Officer
Relevant References: / Grant Making Manifesto - The Australian Institute of Grants Management 2011
Commonwealth Grant Guidelines – June 2013 – Department of Finance and Deregulation
Main Legislative or Regulatory References: / Local Government Act 1993
Applicable Delegation of Authority: / As per Corporate and Community Services delegate
Related Ashfield Council Policy: / Small Donations and Sponsorship Policy
Sustainable Ashfield Policy
Code of Conduct
Risk Management Policy
Related Ashfield Council Procedure: / Arts, Community and Environment Grant Guidelines
Arts, Community and Environment Grant Scheme Application Form and Reporting Form
Sponsorship Policy and Incoming Sponsorship Agreement

Policy Background

Ashfield Council is committed to the provision of quality programs and services that improve the livelihood, wellbeing and outcomes for Ashfield residents. This commitment is reflected in Ashfield’s Community Strategic Plan, Our Place, Our Future 2023, which sets out a number of key themes and priorities which underpin the communities vision and aspirations for Ashfield and which is supported by other more detailed plans. These include a four year Ashfield Council delivery plan and a one year operational plan.

Ashfield Council is dedicated to collaborating with the community to effectively deliver these plans and has established an Arts, Community and Environment Grants Scheme to provide financial assistance to support innovative and creative initiatives that support, and develop the local community. The Scheme operates annually, and is open to local artists, and non-profit community and environmental groups and/or organisations focusing on community service, sustainability, community and/or cultural development and social welfare which service the Ashfield Local Government Area.

Policy Purpose

This policy is intended to set out the management and operational policy for the Arts, Community and Environment Grants Scheme. The Arts, Community and Environment Grants Scheme also includes relevant guidelines and application process required for ethical, efficient and effective grant administration.

Policy Objectives

This Arts, Community and Environment Grants Policy has been adopted to:

· Protect Ashfield Council by clearly stating the conditions, guidelines and objectives of the Arts, Community and Environment Grants Scheme;

· Ensure that projects funded under the Arts, Community and Environment Grants Scheme meet the requirements of the conditions, guidelines and objectives of the scheme;

· Ensure that the procedures used to manage and administer the Scheme are transparent and accountable.

· Minimise risk of corruption, conflict of interest or damage to the reputation and standing of Ashfield Council.

Implementation and access

Purpose and Objectives of the Arts, Community and Environment Grants Scheme

The overarching purpose of the Arts, Community and Environment Grants Scheme is underpinned by Ashfield’s Council Community Strategic Plan 2023. The strategic objectives reflect the Arts, Community and Environment priorities of Creative and Inclusive Community and Living Sustainably as set out in Ashfield Council’s Community Strategic Plan 2023.

Purpose

To provide financial assistance to artists, community groups and organisations which service Ashfield Local Government Area and who are working towards the common objectives under the themes ‘Creative and Inclusive Communities’ and ‘Living Sustainably’ as outlined in Ashfield Council’s Community Strategic Plan 2023.

Strategic Objectives – Arts and Culture

To support Arts and Cultural projects that:

· Enhance and nurture Ashfield as an Arts and Cultural hub;

· Support artists to develop and sustain their practice, and to explore new ways of working across art forms;

· Engage with the community, and challenge and inspire local identity;

· Respond to a range of ages, abilities and cultures;

· Promote individual and community identity; and

· Support and encourage cultural appreciation and harmony.

Strategic Objectives – Creative and Inclusive Community

To support community projects that:

· Acknowledge and respect Ashfield’s Aboriginal community;

· Support multicultural communities;

· Support all abilities;

· Improve individual and collective wellbeing;

· Encourage lifelong learning;

· Enhance creative arts and culture;

· Enable social equality; and

· Support local partnerships.

Strategic Objectives – Living Sustainably

To support sustainability projects that:

· Encourage members of the Ashfield Community to understand the impact their lives and choices have on the environment.

· Promote sustainable living as a way of life for residents in the Local Government Area. It’s just how we live our lives.

· Acknowledge that we do not waste resources in the Ashfield Local Government Area as residents and businesses are energy, water and waste smart.

Definition

Arts, Community and Environment Grant is a single payment of up to $2,000 provided to a recipient (organisation or individual) for a specific purpose or project, as approved

under the Arts, Community and Environment Grants Scheme. Payment of the Arts, Community and Environment Grant comes with the understanding that there will be a defined outcome that directly or indirectly benefits the public, but with no expectation of commercial return to Ashfield Council. Grants are subject to reporting and accountability provisions and are expected to be expended for the direct purpose they were granted.

Eligibility

Individual Arts and Culture Grants

Ashfield Council will consider applications from both emerging and established artists. Individual artists/and or a group of artists are eligible and will be required to demonstrate their artistic merit and skill. It is expected that individual artists/and or a group of artists will have public liability insurance cover when applying for an Individual Arts and Culture Grant.

Community Grants

Ashfield Council will only consider applications from legally incorporated, not for profit and community based organisations. Unincorporated organisations must seek to become auspiced by an incorporated organisation.

An incorporated body is the official registration of a organisation name and provides benefits such as ability to make contracts, ability to own property, liability rests with the incorporated Association – not with members of the Committee.

Environment Grants

An incorporated body is the official registration of a organisation name and provides benefits such as: ability to make contracts, ability to own property, liability rests with the incorporated Association – not with members of the Committee.

Ineligibility

Arts, Community and Environments Grants will not be made for:

· Money already spent or project already undertaken;

· Recurrent salary costs or contributions to salary costs of existing staff of the organisations;

· Organisations with substantial unallocated resources;

· Commercial or ‘for profit’ organisations;

· Party political purposes; and

· Organisations that have not met the acquittal conditions to Ashfield Council’s previous grants or have debts outstanding to Ashfield Council.

Grant Conditions

1. Applications must address the objectives of the Arts, Community and Environment Grants Scheme.

2. Priority may be given to applications that have an Arts component which demonstrate as having an enhanced or direct benefit to the Ashfield Community.

3. Applicants can apply for grants of up to $2,000 maximum, applications exceeding this amount will not be considered.

4. The services and/or outcomes of the proposed project must be directed primarily towards the residents of Ashfield.

5. Unless specifically targeted, projects should demonstrate that the services are available in the community without discrimination on the basis of race, gender or religion. Ashfield Council will give preference to organisations who develop partnerships with other organisations to deliver their projects.

6. Multiple applications from the same organisation or individual are unlikely to be funded. Ashfield Council aims to distribute the available funds as fairly as possible throughout the community. However, applications of outstanding quality from the same organisation may be considered.

7. Grants provided by Ashfield Council should not lead to an organisation becoming dependent on Ashfield Council for future allocation of funding.

8. Applications should be for a specific purpose and should not be intended to cover a shortfall in the organisations operational budget.

9. An organisation with substantial unallocated resources will not be considered a priority for funding.

10. Grants will not be made for:

· Money already spent or project already undertaken;

· Recurrent salary costs or contributions to salary costs of existing staff of the organisations; and

· Party political purposes.

11. Organisations who were successful in receiving grant funding under the previous Community and Environment Grants round must have their grant expended, and acquittal submitted in order for a new application to be considered. Carryover of funding will not be considered.

12. The Arts, Environment and Community Grants provided by Ashfield Council must be expended on the project identified in the application.

13. All projects are to be delivered within 12 months of the grant being awarded.

14. The Arts, Community and Environment Grants Funding Agreement between Ashfield Council and each successful organisation is a binding agreement that must be adhered to during delivery of the project.

15. The successful organisation must submit a report to Ashfield Council with an evaluation of the funded project and proof of expenditure within twelve months of receipt of a Ashfield Council grant.

Accountability

Approved financial assistance grants will require grants to be acquitted according to Ashfield Council requirements. A report of grants previously spent and evidence that funds have been expended for the purpose the funds were approved will need to be submitted to Ashfield Council. Any variation to the condition of the grant approval requires Ashfield Council approval. Ashfield Council’s Annual Report may include summary of financial assistance grants approved in the previous financial year.