COVID-19 Community Relief Grant Program 2020 – Australia

• Grass Roots Recovery and Neighbourhood Recovery grant: 3 August 2020
• Community Recovery grant: 10 August 2020

The Community Grant Program provides a framework for Manningham Council to fund a range of activities that will achieve positive outcomes for the community and align with key Council plans and strategies.

In response to COVID-19 Council allocated $1million in funding through a Community Relief Fund to support the recovery from the pandemic and build resilience of the Manningham community, comprising $300,000 urgent relief to pre-existing partners in 2019/20 financial year, and up to $700,000 community relief in 2020/21 financial year.

Objectives

The Community Relief Grant Program is designed to provide support and assistance to aid the community in recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic. Broadly, the program seeks to support initiatives and activities that:

• enable recovery from the pandemic among the Manningham community;
• build resilience in the Manningham community;
• encourage community participation following relaxation of Government restrictions;
• provide for the inclusion and participation of all members of the community, including responses that target vulnerable individuals and groups affected by the pandemic;
• recognise the value of the creative industries and support one-off initiatives and programs that hasten community recovery;
• encourage collaboration between groups and organisations for the benefit of the community; and
• identify health and wellbeing initiatives that may be sustained beyond the recovery process.

Grant Categories

To achieve these broad objectives, not-for-profit groups and organisations are invited to apply for funding under one of the following three grant categories:

• Community Recovery – funding between $25,001 – $75,000
  • The Community Recovery Grant category enables not-for-profit groups and organisations to partner together to deliver projects and initiatives that support community to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The Community Recovery category aims to:
    • Provide projects that strengthen community through partnerships;
    • Provide urgent and necessary relief services to those most affected by the pandemic;
    • Enhance the quality of life of those most at risk due to effects from the pandemic;
    • Improve resilience across the whole community;
    • Provides access to creative based programs that hasten community recovery; and
    • Provide sustainable health and wellbeing initiatives for those most affected by the pandemic.
• Neighbourhood Recovery – funding between $10,001 -$25,000
  • The Neighbourhood Recovery Grant enables not-for-profit groups and organisations to deliver neighbourhood-based activities and initiatives to support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The Neighbourhood Recovery category aims to:
    • Provide immediate support for affected cohorts with an identified need at the neighbourhood level;
    • Celebrate community resilience and outcomes of the pandemic using local artists (visual, performing and/or literary artists) and unique locations;
    • Strengthen community resilience through structured programs and activities that build on experience from the pandemic;
    • Provide improved quality of life for those most affected by the pandemic;
    • Provide improved access to arts, culture and heritage post pandemic;
    • Strengthen neighbourhood connections with long-term outcomes.
• Grass Roots Recovery  –  funding between $3,000 – $10,000
  • The Grass Roots Recovery Grant category enables not-for-profit groups and organisations to deliver one-off initiatives that support targeted small groups to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The Grass Roots Recovery category aims to:
    • Respond to a clearly identified community need resulting from the pandemic;
    • Facilitate participation in a range of local initiative and enhance access for all members of the community, including responses that target vulnerable individuals and groups affected by the pandemic;
    • Celebrate and gather together as restrictions allow;
    • Enhance local network development and partnerships in response to the pandemic; and
    • Provide capacity building opportunities including resilience, skills development and life-long learning.

Eligibility Criteria

• A not-for-profit constituted body such as an Incorporated Association or a Company by Limited Guarantee
• Auspiced by an incorporated not-for-profit organisation that is able to accept legal and financial responsibility for the grant and activity.
• A school. Schools are encouraged to partner with community groups in activities that benefit the wider community.
• In addition to the above criteria, organisations must also:
  • Be located or deliver activities within the City of Manningham
  • Have appropriate insurance
  • Determine legislative requirements related to the funded activity. For example, if the funded activity involves contact with children, a Working with Children Check may be required
  • Have no outstanding debts to Council · Provide an Incorporation Number
  • Provide an ABN or completed Statement by Supplier form (page 24)
  • Complete a Project Plan (example pages 25-26)
  • Provide a completed Evaluation Framework (not required for Grass Roots Recovery) (example pages 27 -28)
  • Provide written quotes for all expenditure items over $1,000 that are essential for the delivery of the activity
  • Apply before the closing date

Ineligibility Criteria

• Individuals
• A community organisation that is not incorporated, unless they partner with a not-for-profit incorporated organisation (“auspice”)
• A commercial organisation.

For more information, visit https://www.manningham.vic.gov.au/community-relief-grants