Information and support

We encourage applicants to carefully consider if a grant suits their project when reading the grant guidelines. If you are unclear contact us to discuss your project idea.

Be aware the grant process is competitive and funding cannot be guaranteed just because an application was submitted.

The number of successful applications under each grant are limited by the total amount of funding available.

Funding is only provided for the purpose for which it has been granted.

Successful projects/events cannot be guaranteed continual funding. Council recommends that organisations work towards a sustainable model of funding for projects/events that are intended to be ongoing.

If an application is being supported by an auspicing body on behalf of another organisation, the application form must have written approval of the auspicing body submitted with the application or the application must be submitted by the auspicing body.

An organisation that acts as an auspicing body for an unincorporated organisation may also apply for a grant in its own right for a separate project.

Community groups are encouraged to consider how they can work in partnership when developing their application.

All applications must be lodged through the SmartyGrants online grant management system.

From time to time, Council may run information sessions to provide assistance to applicants on a variety of Council Grant programs prior to a funding round opening. When available, details will be posted here.

The Nillumbik Community Training Calendar provides access to a range of free training, workshops and information sessions for Nillumbik’s community groups, clubs and volunteers.

Grant guidelines are always available on Council’s grant website to provide current grant information and priorities.

Grant writing assistance - Learning Bytes

In conjunction with Non Profit Training, Nillumbik Shire Council have developed a series of seven videos to assist grant writers to submit their grant applications. Find out about knowing your why, developing a project plan, budgeting and more. Click through below to view all seven videos in our YouTube playlist.

Read the guidelines for the grant you are considering thoroughly before applying.

Contact the staff member listed in the guidelines with any questions.

Applications are to be lodged online at nillumbik.smartygrants.com.au

You must register with SmartyGrants before you can start an online application.

Registration gives you secure access to your forms allowing you to work on them over time rather than having to complete them all at once.

It only takes a moment to register and you can get started on your submission straight after registering.

Fields marked with an asterisk must be completed.

Review your responses, and then submit your application.

You will receive an email instantly confirming the application has been submitted.

Respond to all criteria and provide any required documentation applicable.

Attached files can be no more that 25MB in size each

All applicants are required to provide:

• A Public Liability Insurance Certificate
• An ABN number or Statement by a Supplier form
• If auspiced you must also provide a letter of support from the auspicing organisation

Applications must be lodged by the advertised closing date.

Note, if you do not have access to a computer, contact the staff member listed in the guidelines who will help you lodge your application.

For more information contact Grants via grants@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

Every time you apply for a grant the Grantmaker will basically be wanting to learn the same things about your project. Once you become proficient answering those questions you should be more successful when grantseeking.

Five key questions to ask yourself…

1. What do you want to do?

Every grant application starts with an idea. So think about your idea and what is it designed to do. You also need to think about what your project will achieve and how it will contribute to the community.

2. Why do you want to undertake this project?

This is an important question to be able answer. Why does this work need to happen now and not, for example, in 12 month’s time? Is there an opportunity you want to capitalise on? You also need to explain why it’s important to your group or the community and how your group or community will benefit from the project.

3. Who will be involved in the project?

For larger grants this can be crucial to demonstrate that your team is capable to deliver the project. Who will be the key people driving and delivering the project, and what skills and experience do they bring? Will there be volunteers involved? If so, how many and what experience do they bring? Do you have any additional partners or supporters?

It’s also important to think about who the beneficiaries of your project are – who is your project targeting? It’s important to be specific here, as ‘universal’ or ‘the whole community will benefit’ is not specific enough.

4. How will the project be delivered? What are the key project stages?

Think about what tasks need to be completed, what resources will be needed to complete these and who is responsible for delivering the project. You should also include the key dates and projects stages that outline when specific activities will be completed.

5. How much will it cost?

Budgets can be daunting, but it is worth investing some time to develop a realistic and clear budget. Grant assessors are more comfortable in supporting a project if they can see you have thought about the costs.

The budget relates to the total cost of your project, and needs to show both the proposed income and expenditure:

• Income – you need to include the amount that you are requesting from Council, and any other additional co-contributions from your own organisation or other funders. You might also include any in-kind contributions, but be careful not to overestimate the monetary value of this.

• Expenditure – consider all costs, including the less obvious ones. Make sure you have quotes for larger items or can show how you have calculated or estimated these costs.

And remember, it’s important that your budget should reconcile. This means that your total income should match your total expenditure.

Other tips and tricks

There are a few other tips to keep in mind as you begin to write you application:

• Write in clear, simple language – applicants often use complicated language to make the project sound more important, but the best thing you can do when writing a grant application is to use straightforward, plain English. Avoid jargon or technical language.

• Assume the reader knows nothing about your organisation, project or community.

• Support any claims you make with evidence, and use facts, not opinions.

• Provide specific information when answering questions.

• Proofread your application. The most important part of any application is reading the guidelines, and ensuring you meet the criteria for the grant. 

If your sports club would like to apply for a grant, Council can assist. This information, resources and advice can help you understand the application process, prepare your application and increase your chances of success.

Regardless of the type of activity or scale being proposed, there are some common features that will make your grant application competitive.

Use clear, plain English and do not waffle. Make sure anyone can understand your application.

Clearly outline what is proposed, why it needs to happen, how it will be achieved, who is centrally involved and where it will take place. Imagine you’re the assessor, what would you want to know about the project?

Be upfront about what you want the funding for. The Assessment Panel needs to know exactly how you plan to spend the money, so make sure your project description is clear and not buried within your responses.

Use this checklist and tips(PDF, 203KB) to help make your event or project more sustainable and climate friendly, whilst helping Nillumbik achieve net zero community emissions by 2035.

How many grants can I apply for?

There is generally no limit to the number of applications that can be submitted under each Council grant. However, each application must be for a different project, program, initiative or product. Grant priorities and equity will be carefully considered during the assessment process. Application quality is preferred over quantity and submitting multiple applications will not increase the chance of success.

Note organisations can only receive one Quick Response Grant per financial year.

Does my project need to benefit all residents of the Shire of Nillumbik?

No. As long as there is a service/project/event being delivered in the Nillumbik Shire Council Local Government area and there is benefit to communities within the Nillumbik region. It is extremely important that applicants identify how and why the support being requested will positively impact the local community.

Am I eligible to apply?

For the majority of our grants, applicants MUST:

• Be a not-for-profit incorporated organisation or community group that lives, works, studies, volunteers or plays in Nillumbik

OR

• Be auspiced by a not-for-profit incorporated organisation if applicants are unincorporated or an individual.

What does ‘incorporated association’ mean?

Incorporation is the most common way to provide a community group status as a legal entity.

If you are not incorporated and would like to become incorporated, you may contact the Office of Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 558 131 or visit the Consumer Affairs website. You may be able to apply for a Quick Response Grant to help your group become established.

What if our organisation is not incorporated?

If your group is not incorporated and does not wish, or is unable to become incorporated, you can still apply, but the application must be under the auspice of an eligible organisation who will take full responsibility for the grant.

What is an ‘auspice’, and do I need one?

An auspice is an incorporated organisation that agrees to take responsibility for your grant (sort of like a guarantor). The auspice receives the funding on your behalf and distributes the funds to your group for the delivery of the project. A letter confirming the auspice arrangement must be attached to your funding application. Organisations can auspice multiple applications.

You will need an auspice if you are a community group or individual that is not incorporated.

You can find out more about auspices from the Justice Connect website.

Who could auspice me?

• Local neighbourhood house
• A community organisation you have worked or partnered with
• Peak body or governing association of your field
• Organisations with a similar mission and purpose
• Auspicious Arts (an organisation specifically designed to support grant applicants) – for more info visit the Auspicious Arts website

Visit our Community and Services Directory to find and learn more about community groups, services, and clubs in Nillumbik, who may be able to partner with you as your auspice.

Applications may be submitted without current Public Liability Insurance on the condition that it is purchased and a Certificate of Currency is provided once the grant is successful

You may apply through an auspice organisation if your group does not wish to purchase insurance

Or you may be eligible for coverage under Council’s Community Liability insurance if your activity is entirely held in a Council venue.

What if I don’t have an ABN?

If your organisation does not have an ABN you are requested to complete Statement by Supplier Form and lodge it together with your application. You can obtain a copy by following the link in the application form or from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website.

For information about taxation please contact the ATO on 13 28 66 between 8am and 6pm Monday-Friday or visit www.ato.gov.au

What if our organisation is not registered for GST?

You can still apply if your organisation is not required to be registered for GST, but GST will not apply to any grant monies allocated.

What is Public Liability Insurance?

Council requires applicants to hold current Public and Products Liability Insurance to protect themselves against legal liability for third parties’ injury, death and/or damage to property caused by an occurrence in connection with the applicant’s activities. This is proven by providing a valid Certificate of Currency for Public Liability Insurance.

If you do not hold current Public Liability Insurance:

• Applications may be submitted without current Public Liability Insurance on the condition that it is purchased and a Certificate of Currency is provided once the grant is successful
• You may apply through an auspice organisation if your group does not wish to purchase insurance
• Or you may be eligible for coverage under Council’s Community Liability insurance if your activity is entirely held in a Council venue.

If my application is unsuccessful, can I apply for the same thing next round?

Yes. However, it is advised that you seek feedback as to why your application was unsuccessful in the first instance to enhance your chance of a successful application next time.

Dependent on the grant program, applications will be assessed on merit by Council staff or an assessment panel. Applications will be considered against the grant funding priorities, objectives, eligibility and selection criteria.

Unfortunately not all applications that meet the criteria may be successful, as grants are highly competitive and approval will depend on the availability of funds, the number of applications, program priorities and geographical equity. Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to seek feedback from Council staff on their application.

In some instances Council may give a lower amount than requested and may place terms and conditions on which items may be funded by the grant.

Applications must demonstrate:

• The organisation and project/activity is eligible
• A genuine need and that the project/activity is viable
• How and why the support being requested will positively impact the local community
• Evidence of planning, consultation and support
• Financial need, the organisation’s contribution and support, and other funding sought (whether successful or not)
• Linkages to the grant program objectives
• Any regulatory requirements have been, or will be, satisfied

What is auspicing?

To ‘auspice’ means to provide support, sponsorship or guidance. The group or person requiring support is known as the ‘auspicee’ and the entity (usually an incorporated organisation) that auspices the group or person is known as the ‘auspicor’. When using an auspice arrangement, the relationship is often described as one where the auspicee will be carrying out the project ‘under the auspices of’ the incorporated organisation – the auspicor. It is the auspicor that receives the project funding and enters into relevant agreements for the auspicee.

Another way to think of an auspicing arrangement is that it is a bit like a sub-contracting arrangement: the auspicor enters into an agreement, and then sub-contracts their obligations under the agreement to the auspicee. However, the auspicor will typically retain the obligations for delivery of the project for which the funds are being provided. In practice, the auspicee would approach the auspicor first, and the auspicor may even charge a fee for making the relevant arrangements on behalf of the auspicee.

Watch the video Understanding Auspicing for more information.

Auspice arrangements

If your organisation is not incorporated, you must arrange for an incorporated organisation to manage the grant funds and take financial and legal responsibility for the project prior to submitting your application.

Some common auspicing arrangements include:

• auspicing of one-off events such as art exhibitions, concerts, fairs or festivals by arts organisations
• auspicing of pilot projects or program trials
• auspicing to incubate start-up groups
• auspicing of local playgroups and study groups by a larger organisation
• auspicing of youth projects, and
• auspicing of sporting programs or competitions

Depending on the arrangement, the auspicee project can also benefit from the management, infrastructure, insurance protection and resources of the auspicor, which are made available to the auspicee for the project.

In general, before agreeing to auspice another organisation, the auspicor, should ensure they are satisfied that the project or activities for which the funding is sought for the auspicee, furthers the mission of the auspicor in some way.

Role of the auspicor

The auspicor is responsible for accepting the funds from Nillumbik Shire Council, and managing the funds on behalf of the applicant. The auspicor:

• remains bound by and must act in accordance with the grant’s terms and conditions; and
• is ultimately responsible for and accountable to Nillumbik Shire Council for the proper use and acquittal of funding.

Nillumbik Shire Council may, in its absolute discretion, elect to deal with the auspicor (in lieu of, or in addition to, the funding applicant) in respect of any aspect of the during the grant cycle.

When an auspice arrangement is set up, it is important to have a written auspicing agreement so that all parties understand their role and responsibilities in the auspice relationship. An auspicing agreement must be drafted with care because the auspice organisation is taking legal and financial responsibility for the auspiced project.

Every auspicing relationship will be different and for the auspicor there may be risks and extra administrative burdens. The auspicor needs to be prepared for this, and have in place a solid auspicing agreement and appropriate insurance, risk management protocols and other guidelines (such as policies around releasing grant funds to the auspicee in instalments as the project progresses) to reduce risks as much as possible.

The auspicor may also be responsible for any GST requirements around grant income and expenditure as grants paid by Council are generally inclusive of GST. Council recommends seeking the advice of the Australian Tax Office in relation to this.

Visit our Community and Services Directory to find and learn more about community groups, services, and clubs in Nillumbik, who may be able to partner with you as your auspice.

Insurance

Both parties need to determine if the auspicee will receive the benefit of the auspicor's existing insurance coverage and whether those insurance policies are adequate to mitigate against the potential risks of the project. The auspicor will need to notify its insurance broker and review its insurance policies if it intends to extend its insurance protection to the auspicee.

For more information

Not-for-profit Law’s auspicing guide provides a detailed overview of auspicing arrangements.

Find out about grants and funding opportunities offered by other local, state and federal bodies and organisation at the Nillumbik Grants Hub.

Nillumbik Grants Hub is a one-stop-shop provides a comprehensive list of grant and funding opportunities open to all local community groups, businesses, clubs, not-for-profits and individuals seeking funding opportunities.

When you register at the Nillumbik Grants Hub (for free!), you can select the types of grants you are interested in and you will receive personalised email alerts about potential grant opportunities that are relevant to you.

Nillumbik Grants Hub also provides a quick list highlighting funding opportunities during a time of disaster and we encourage residents to take advantage of this free resource.

We encourage you to get in touch with us. Council staff are always happy to answer your questions and provide advice towards your project and on what you should include in your application before you submit. The earlier you do this, the better!

If you have a question about the details of a particular grant, including eligibility criteria, please contact the officer or team listed on the particular grant information page, or contact grants@nillumbik.vic.gov.au.

If you require technical assistance with an online grant application via SmartyGrants, please refer to the SmartyGrants Help Guide for Applicants and Frequently Asked Questions.

If further assistance is required, contact the SmartyGrants Help Desk on 03 9320 6888 or email service@smartygrants.com.au