Deadline: 1-Nov-21
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) is inviting applications for the Back to School (BTS) National Program to help remote and rural children and young people access quality educational experiences.
Since 2005, this practical, positive program has helped thousands of students to engage in learning and strengthen their educational outcomes.
Working through local community organisations who act as Back to School partners, the program provides $50 digital gift vouchers to students in need redeemable at Target, Kmart or local retailers. The vouchers can be used for items such as school uniforms, clothing, shoes, school bags and stationery – or anything that helps students feel ready to learn.
Objectives
The objectives of the Back to School 2022 program are to:
- Improve access to education through enabling the purchase of items required to attend and engage in school;
- Help meet basic needs that assist children to reach their full potential, and fit in with their peers; and
- Build local connections and community resilience through local distribution networks and Community Foundations.
How does participation in the program work?
It is preferable for one organisation to apply for vouchers on behalf of each community and demonstrate coordination with other community organisations in the distribution of the vouchers.
The program will look a little different in each community – generally the application stage involves applicants:
- Identifying the level of need in the community;
- Determining how many vouchers are required;
- Considering which stores would provide the best range / outcomes for families in need in your community, and if locally-owned stores, obtaining their permission to be involved in the program;
- Determining how your organisation will administer the vouchers to those most in need;
- Completing the relevant online application form and submitting to FRRR.
- FRRR welcomes applications from eligible non-for-profit organisations based in rural, remote or regional areas across Australia.
- Applicant organisations must be a not-for-profit organisation with either an Incorporation Certificate and/or an ABN. If you are unsure if your organisation is a registered not-for-profit (for example, if you are a Co-operative, Other Unincorporated Entity, Public Company or Trust), please contact FRRR. Not-for-profit organisations with or without DGR-1 endorsement are eligible.
- Please note, you will be considered ineligible if the:
- Application is submitted by individuals, sole traders, private or commercial businesses (as per the submitted ABN);
- Application is submitted by an organisation that is not a legal entity, without the written consent of the governing / partnering body who holds the ABN / Incorporation number;
- Application is submitted without required financial documentation;
- Final report/s from any FRRR grants awarded in the previous seven years have not been acquitted (delivery organisations should check with legal organisation to see if there are any outstanding final reports);
- Application is to supplement an existing return to school voucher / welfare program which is already occurring.
For more information, visit https://frrr.org.au/funding/people-grants/back-to-school/