Apply for Annual Grants Program – Australia

Deadline: 17-Jun-2024

The Yarra Ranges Council is inviting applications for the Annual Grants Program to support community in delivering local outcomes for the Yarra Ranges.

The Annual Grants program harnesses community energy and ideas to promote a more connected and healthy Yarra Ranges.

These grants help groups and organisations respond to opportunities, creative inspiration and local needs to deliver outcomes in communities.

Grant funded projects leverage local knowledge, nurture networks, and support organisations, community groups and artists to promote community wellbeing.

Grant Categories

Arts and Heritage
- The Arts & Heritage stream of the Annual Grants program supports local groups, notfor-profits organisations, individuals, and artists to express themselves in diverse ways, connect with each other and to the place they live through projects that contribute to the rich arts, culture and heritage of the Yarra Ranges.
- Arts, cultural and heritage activity, and engagement are integral to community identity, social connection and wellbeing. Projects may include exhibitions, performance, public art, workshops, heritage and historical projects, storytelling, documentation, and digital work. These projects may respond to community needs, support artistic practice, and/ or enable creation of new work.
- Outcomes
  - The Arts & Heritage stream supports the Creative Communities Strategy and delivers in three key areas:
    - People & Experience
      - Deepen community understanding of local people, history and culture.
      - Broaden knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, continuity and culture in Yarra Ranges.
      - Facilitate programming that puts audience experience and their participation at the centre.
    - Production & Industry
      - Provide opportunities for the local creative talent.
      - Raise the profile, reach and impact of Yarra Ranges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and creative professionals.
    - Place and Environment
      - Increase public visibility of contemporary and historical Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
      - Increase visibility of the cultural, historical and artistic diversity of the region within townships
      - Activation of community and cultural venues and public spaces through creative and cultural engagement.
Community Development
- Yarra Ranges Council’s Annual Grants help community organisations to deliver projects that build more inclusive, healthy and connected communities. These grants are for not for profit organisations to help harness community strengths, opportunities and aspirations, and respond to local needs with confidence and creativity.
- Community development recognises the many strengths in communities, tapping into the wisdom and experience of communities to build resilience. It draws on the principles of justice, equity, inclusion and respect. Importantly, in the context of Council grants, community development is also about connecting with others and building a sense of belonging through funded projects.
- This includes initiatives that focus on the participation of diverse groups within the communities, including: people living with disability, unpaid carers and families, people across ages groups/life stages, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQA+, women and girls, and those experiencing social isolation.
- Priorities
  - The following areas reflect key priorities in the communities. Some projects may support the ongoing recovery from the pandemic and storms/natural disasters. Your application should tell them how your project will address one or more of the following priorities:
    - Health and Wellbeing
      - Council invites applications that address the priorities of the Health and Wellbeing Plan.
      - One of the most powerful ways to support good health and wellbeing is through building social connections and a sense of belonging. Almost all grant projects aim to do this in some way.
      - Council encourages applications that are locally focused, creative and respond to health and wellbeing issues. They invite strength-based projects that tap into local skills, knowledge, and energy to meet needs and take up opportunities to build more connected and vibrant communities.
      - For example: Yarra Ranges residents can increase social connection through participation in group activities. This can be particularly important for people who may be more vulnerable or isolated.
      - This category looks to foster connected and healthy communities through projects that:
        
        Build and enable mental wellbeing by supporting strong and sustainable social connections.
        
        Promote and support physical health.
        
        Nurture thriving local communities.
        
        Build the food system, increasing access to healthy food and skills to grow and cook food.
        
        Build respect and inclusion.
        
        Increase participation of people living with disability.
        
        Welcome people from all backgrounds.
        
        Build disaster resilience by strengthening social connection and networks, and increasing knowledge, skills, and planning for emergencies.
        
        Include people from diverse cultural backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and LGBTQIA+ community members.
  - Environment
    - This category supports environmental sustainability.
    - Priority will be given to applications that address one or more of the following:
      - Nature Conservation: projects that restore, protect and enhance local biodiversity.
      - Environmental Stewardship: initiatives that raise community awareness about environmental issues, fostering conservation and sustainability understanding.
      - Climate Resilience: projects that improve community resilience and adaptation to climate change and extreme weather.
      - Water Resource Management: initiatives that conserve water, improve water quality, and/or protect freshwater ecosystems.
      - Innovative Sustainability: projects that use innovative tech and practices for sustainability, such as waste reduction, energy efficiency and sustainable transport, with clear impact measurement outcomes.
  - Reconciliation
    - Projects in this category will strengthen the relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
    - Priority will be given to applications that address one or more of the following:
      - Celebrate and protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.
      - Break down stereotypes and discrimination.
      - Increase understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing.
      - Enhance community driven initiatives that contribute to community wellbeing, economic participation, and cultural strengthening.
  - Young People
    - If you are a not-for-profit organisation, you can apply. Your program must support Yarra Ranges young people aged 12 to 25 years.
    - The need for your program must be identified by young people. This can be done by a co-design process, data, research, or consultations with young people.
    - Programs that engage young people in the diverse locations of Yarra Ranges will be prioritised. These include Warburton, Healesville, and the small townships across the region. Priority will be given to projects that:
      - Promote opportunities for young people to engage in their community, build social connections, and give young people a voice in decision-making.
      - Target culturally diverse, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, all ability and LGBTQIA+ community members.
      - Strengthen respectful relationships and focus on building resilience and promoting gender equality.
      - Increase soft skills and pathways to employment for young people.
  - Early Years, Middle Years and Families
    - This category is for innovative projects that enhance the wellbeing and resilience of children and young people 0-14 years, and their families living in the Yarra Ranges. Priority will be given to applications that address one or more of the following:
      - Children, young people and their families have access to initiatives that are culturally safe and support connection.
      - Design and deliver initiatives with a focus on improving wellbeing outcomes and promoting access to supports for children, young people and their families.
      - Design and provide opportunities for children, young people and families to actively engage in their community and be involved in decision making.
    - Note: Child Safe Standards compliance is essential. Council does not fund overnight camps/activities for children and young people.
  - Healthy and Active Ageing
    - The Healthy Ageing category aims to promote innovative activities and initiatives that support individuals aged 50 years and over living in Yarra Ranges.
    - Priority will be given to projects that:
      - Provide opportunities for people aged 50 years and over to actively engage in their communities of choice.
      - Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally diverse, LGBTIQA+, people living with dementia and all abilities.
      - Address issues of ageism
      - Improve outcomes for individuals experiencing social isolation and loneliness.
Festival and Events
- The Festival and Events stream of the Annual Grants program supports groups, and organisations to deliver activities that enhance local culture, celebrate community spirit and contribute to the liveability of Yarra Ranges.
- Festivals and events provide an opportunity for community to celebrate their unique identity and contribute to the creativity and cultural diversity of the region. They build social connection through sharing knowledge and experience.
- All projects funded must engage with Council’s event registration process and ensure delivery of safe, compliant events with minimal environmental impact. Council’s three strategic area’s are People & Experience, Production & Industry and Place & Environment.
- Project Outcomes
  - Projects funded under this stream should deliver at least one of the following outcomes:
    - People & Experience
      - Deepen community understanding of local people, history and culture.
      - Broaden knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, continuity and culture in Yarra Ranges.
      - Facilitate active community involvement in shaping events at every stage of delivery
    - Production & Industry
      - Provide opportunities for the local creative talent.
      - Raise the profile, reach and impact of Yarra Ranges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and creative professionals.
    - Place and Environment
      - Increase public visibility of contemporary and historical Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
      - Increase visibility of the cultural, historical and artistic diversity of the region within townships
      - Activation of community and cultural venues, recreation areas, play spaces and other public spaces through creative and cultural engagement.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants need to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Applicants need to be:
  - An incorporated not-for-profit community group/organisation with an ABN;
  - An unincorporated not-for-profit community group/organisation (you must be auspiced by an incorporated organisation);
  - An individual/artist, in the Arts & Heritage funding category only (must be auspiced by an incorporated organisation);
- Organisations, community groups and artists/individuals applying for a grant must demonstrate how their project will directly benefit residents of the Yarra Ranges. Applicants based outside the region can apply if the project outcomes benefit and occur in Yarra Ranges.
- Applicants must commit to obtaining all necessary permits related to the funded activity, particularly for festivals.
- Applicants must have successfully completed all reporting requirements for previous Yarra Ranges Council grants and have no outstanding debts with Council.
- Applicants must provide evidence of at least $10 Million Public Liability insurance.
- Child Safe Standards compliance is required if projects involve direct or incidental contact with children.
- Applicants agree to acknowledge funding from Yarra Ranges Council in promotion, consistent with Council’s branding guidelines.
- Applicants must consent to providing evidence of how funds were spent and outline project benefits through an acquittal process.
- Purchase of food associated with community relief projects is capped at $500.
- The grant activity must take place during 2025.
- Applicants must submit all supporting material when applying. Late submission of supporting documents will not be accepted.
- Applicants must talk through their project ideas with a Council Officer before applying.

Ineligible

Funding will not be granted for:
- A program, service or activity that is primarily considered the responsibility of State or Federal Government; for example, the core business of schools, hospitals or other services.
- Activities that take place outside the Yarra Ranges (including touring costs).
- A new building, capital works or facility maintenance works.
- Ongoing staff salaries or administration costs not specific to the project.
- Purchase of equipment only. Funding for equipment will be considered for a small component of the project (up to 30% of the requested grant amount).
- Activities that take place at inappropriate venues; for example, gambling venues.
- Activities that are sponsored by gambling businesses.
- Political organisations will not be funded.

For more information, visit Yarra Ranges Council.