Deadline: 30-Jun-20
Applications are now open for the 2021 Hobsons Bay Community Grants Program.
The Hobsons Bay Community Grants Program supports local not for profit groups and clubs, networks and community organisations. It aims to assist community to deliver diverse programs and projects. Grants are intended to assist to: build capacity, help with expenses, provide equipment, support services, grow initiatives, and enable new ideas.
In the current context community connection is vital and community groups are a key part of that connection. The Community Grants Program is here to support groups with normal and new needs. The process is designed to be simpler and faster, to get funds to a broad range of community groups and needs quickly.
Applications are encouraged from local clubs, community groups and organisations, particularly those who need assistance to continue, adapt, build resilience and engage through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grant Priorities
The grant program supports applications that respond to the following priorities:
- Community building in the context of COVID19 – support responses from all local clubs, community groups and organisations, particularly those who need assistance to continue, adapt, build resilience and engage through the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Health and wellbeing – support the development of projects which meet a community need, promote health, wellbeing and connections and are consistent with the strategic direction of Hobsons Bay Community Vision 2030.
- Organisation/group capacity building – assist local groups to build capacity, foster independence and skill development to respond to current and emerging challenges and opportunities.
- Social inclusion and participation – assist local groups to develop inclusive projects that focus on diverse populations, promote community well being, connection and participation in community life.
- Networks and partnerships – encourage the development of supportive community networks that contribute to the development and strengthening of local communities
Community building priorities in response to COVID-19 include:
- Continuing work, getting back to it.
- Adapting to changing needs.
- Resilience building.
- Engaging and re-engaging of members, community or partners
Categories
Grant applications can be made across four categories:
- Small expenses(up to $500 for existing groups and up to $1,000 for new emerging groups) – funding to support the needs of small community based groups and organisations that meet regularly and which facilitate and promote social interaction. Only groups or organisations with an income under $20,000 are eligible for this category.
- Toyota Equipment and/or Resources(up to $1,000) – funding to purchase equipment and/or resources to help build the capacity of a group or organisation, or to support a project. This can include new digital assets. This category is supported by Toyota Australia.
- Vibrant community(up to $5,000) – Funding to enable initiatives, projects, services and activities that respond to COVID-19 situation, promote neighbourhood and community vitality, enhance health and wellbeing, build social connection and/or strengthen social support.
- Invested together(up to $10,000 over two years) – Funding to help deliver partnership projects that meet an identified community need; designed to be implemented over an extended period.
Funding for initiatives to support groups through the COVID-19 pandemic can be applied for across the four grants categories. The focus will be on meeting needs that can’t be met by other grants programs (eg state government programs), and that are most appropriately supported by council. As these are unprecedented times the scope is open, but could include requests for needs such as:
- digital tools, including online conferencing subscriptions, online learning, webinars, web design and redevelopment and training.
- creative online program projects.
- bridging isolation and building connections projects.
- assistance to develop different ways of operating to meet emerging needs.
- online connection programs
- training in online platforms
- guest speakers on topics relevant to the club or group eg mental health, coping with COVID-19 restrictions
- resources to assist group hygiene and sanitizing
- club/group gatherings when restrictions allow to foster reconnection
- other emerging needs from the COVID-19 pandemic that meet the Community Grants guidelines
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants include community groups/clubs and not for profit organisations (as well as cooperatives and schools) based in Hobsons Bay or providing programs based in Hobsons Bay that are incorporated or supported by an auspice.
- 2020 Grant recipients are eligible to apply.
- Project activities must be undertaken within the City of Hobsons Bay, with the majority of participants coming from Hobsons Bay.
- Equipment must be for the group/club (not any individual) and to be stored / located within Hobsons Bay.
Assessment Criteria
All other applications are assessed against the following areas:
- Demonstrated need
- How well does the application identify and respond to the need for the project?
- Project and budget design and planning
- How well has the project and budget been outlined and is it achievable
- Does the applicant demonstrate the required capacity to deliver the project?
- Project Outcomes
- Are the outcomes and benefits clearly identified and achievable?
- Alignment to Council Community Grants priorities
- How well does the application align with the five key Council grants priorities?
Applications that demonstrate community strengthening through continuity, adaptation, resilience building and engagement will be given high priority.
Council will endeavour to ensure the distribution of grant funds is fair and equitable. Depending on the volume of requests, multiple applications from a group/organisation may not be funded.
For more information, visit https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/Community-services/Grants-funding/Hobsons-Bay-Community-grants-program