7th National Conference 29 September - 1 October 2017 ... · Mantra on View Hotel Surfers Paradise...

Australian Men’s Shed Association 7th National Conference

29 September - 1 October 2017 Mantra on View Hotel

Surfers Paradise Queensland

6.1 GRANTS

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Grants • Grants overview

• Applying for grants • Websites

• The Acquittal process • Keeping records

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Grants Overview

Great Sheds work hard to source funding Don’t rely solely on grants Attract funds from local community Participate in fundraising activities such as markets, raffles, BQQ’s

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Introduction • There is always a limit on funds available in

grant funding rounds

• Grants are extremely competitive

• Be prepared before you start looking at grant opportunities

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1. Consult Shed members • Discuss additional tools &

equipment, activities, training, Shed improvements, guest speakers, health seminars

• Develop a ‘wish list’ • Prioritise

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Example • A new member was accomplished in lead

lighting • Shed applied for an NSDP grant for lead

lighting tools and equipment • New activity introduced in the Shed-

great response & participation

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2. Different sources of Grants • Large Corporations (e.g. NRMA, Telstra, major

banks, Australia Post) • Philanthropic Bodies (e.g. The AMP

Foundation, The Ian Potter Foundation) • Government i.e. local Council, State and

Federal Government Departments e.g. Stronger Communities- Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development

• Local Service Clubs (e.g. Rotary, Lions) 8

3. Before you Start applying Remember • Completing applications are time consuming • Don’t be anxious about the process- you can

access plenty of information and support * AMSA Resources e.g. Grant Writing Guidelines, the NSDP Manual * AMSA staff

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• Be prepared- All applications will require certain information about the applicant organisation and often ask similar questions.

• To save a lot of time, information can be saved on the computer- all together in one folder

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• Create a folder ‘Grants- Shed Information” • File copies of important documents: Incorporation Registration Insurance Certificates of Currency Memorandum of Understanding (if applicable) If applicable, DA, Council approvals, site plans Letters of Support

* You may be required to attach these documents with your application-have them handy

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• Develop a document that contains all relevant information about the Shed

• You can then copy and paste the information onto your application

• AMSA has developed a template for you to use

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Name of the organisation

The type of legal entity

Inc/ABN number

GST Status

Address - Postal

Address - Street

Contact 1 details

Contact 2 details

Insurance Details

Bank Account Details

Organisational description

Management structure

Ability to manage projects

Partners/networks

Other

• Type of legal entity-legal status such as Incorporated entity

• GST- registered?

• Contacts- normally require two- make sure you complete all fields

NSDP- missing phone numbers, incorrect phone numbers, no email provided, incorrect email

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• Bank Account Details-*be careful with BSB and Account numbers

• Organisational description-What is a Men’s Shed, aims, Shed activities, values, membership numbers, how long your Shed has operated

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• Management structure-Committee details, governance, policies, procedures, key people involved in project management

• Ability to manage projects-expertise and experience, describe other successful programs and projects, outcomes

• Partners/networks- organisations with whom you work, examples,

• Other- community projects, awards

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Applying for Grants • Funding bodies provide a range of documents

when a specific funding round opens:

1. Guidelines

2. Application Form

3. FAQ’s

4. Sample Funding Agreement

• They will also provide a ‘support’ facility- contact via email and/or phone 17

Funding Guidelines READ THEM THOROUGHLY!!!

• Are you eligible to apply? • What is the Funding Body

objectives? • Can you deliver what you want to do

within the funds available?

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Funding Guidelines

• Is priority being given to certain target groups?

• Do you meet these requirements? • Do you have to provide a co-

contribution? i.e. match $ for $?

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• Ensure you understand what will NOT be funded e.g. Overseas travel

• Do background reading on the funding

body and have an understanding of their: - values - strategic direction - what issues are important to them

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• Ensure that you understand the selection criteria

• Read them carefully-answer the question e.g. NSDP- describe your area......? Applicant

describes their Shed • Selection criteria attract a score

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Preparing for the Application

Plan to start your application early in the application period Do you have the necessary time to work

on the submission? It take effort and time

Who will ‘own’ the submission?

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Preparing for the Application

The ‘owner’ must ensure that : - All selection criteria are answered - All relevant information included - Attachments available - Lodged by due date

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Who else needs to provide information e.g. Treasurer –budget, trade quotes

Ensure everyone knows the closing date

If the application form is onerous, allocate-delegate

If the application form is difficult, seek support from AMSA

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Have all required attachments ready e.g.

- Quotes

- Copies of Insurance and Incorporation

Certificates

- MOU if applicable

- Letters of Support

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Writing The Application

Read the questions carefully

Answer all questions- seek assistance if you do not understand what is required

Keep it simple and concise

Remember the reader of your submission may know nothing about your Shed or proposed project- do not assume that they do Paint a picture of who you are and what you do

Many on- line applications are character or word limited- can be very challenging -click on Review- use Word Count facility

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Provide sufficient information for the funding body to make an informed decision

Provide information and evidence about your area

e.g. ABS data, information from local or State Govt reports

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• Spell or stuck for a Word?- use the

Spell Check and Thesaurus facility through Review

icon

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Partnerships-outline of organisations with whom you work

Community engagement- how active you are within the community, give examples

Ability to deliver and manage projects- give examples

In kind contributions – demonstrates your commitment

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Funding bodies look for value for money

They will also look at your level of fundraising and contribution

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Selection criteria seeks information re:

- What is the proposed project?

- Why is it needed?

- Who will benefit and why?

- How will you manage the project?

- How will you evaluate the project? Was

it successful? Has it benefitted the Shed?

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Sebastopol Men’s Shed Vic Garden Project NSDP Cat 2 Grant

Club Shed Cooktown Qld 12" table saw

NSDP Cat 1 Grant

Simpson & District Community Men’s Shed Vic NSDP Cat 2

Before After

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Attachments

• Compulsory attachments e.g. audited financial statements, Certificate of Incorporation, Insurance Certificates of Currency, quotes

• Those you have chosen-if permitted Showcase your Shed, the work you do, e.g.

Newsletters, media articles, Annual Report

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CHECK, CHECK & DOUBLE CHECK

• Read responses several times over several days- look for errors, whether it reads well and makes sense

• Undertake a spell check but remember that some words will not show an error e.g. FROM......FORM

• Ask others to read and make comments

• Have all questions/sections been completed?

• Most applications have a checklist

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LODGEMENT

• READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!!!

• What date is it due?

• Can it be emailed?

• Are hard copies required i.e. Posted

• Do you have to provide both?

• How many copies are required? (some funding bodies may require two or more copies) 37

• If online application, submit before due date as ‘uploading’ can be extremely slow if lodged close to the closing deadline

• Late applications are not accepted

• Don’t forget the attachments

• Some funding bodies will provide a notification that your application has been received - keep a copy for future reference

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For any assistance contact Liz at

amsa@mensshed.net or

call 1300 550 009

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Grant Websites • A range of websites provide information -types of grants available, currently open

• A list provided in the ‘AMSA Grants Manual’ Website addresses can change and may need

updating • Federal and State Government websites

provide great information • Do a website search

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Examples

• www.grantslink.gov.au Information on Government grants- has Home page

links to each State • www.community.com.au An Australian Government portal • The Gambling Community Benefit Fund

http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/corporate/sponsorships-andgrants/grants/community-benefit-funding-programs

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The Acquittal Process • If successful, you will be required to sign a Funding

Agreement • Conditions of the Funding Agreement include: -Spending the grant on specific project -Providing an Acquittal • The Funding body normally provides a template for you to complete • Many funding bodies will not accept applications from

organisations who have not provided Acquittals from previous grants

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• A grant is money given by one organisation (such as a Government Department) to another organisation to conduct a specific project that will provide some broader benefit to individuals and/or the community.

• What is an Acquittal? A report lodged at the end of the project to

account for all money spent and description of outcomes etc 43

• You are fully accountable for the correct expenditure of the grant-don’t act fraudulently

• You must provide evidence that the grant has been spent on the project originally requested

• Do not alter the conditions of the grant without permission- communicate with the funding body if changes are required

• Example Shed received two grants-both Federal funding-

for two distinct projects- President combined both grants to spend on a concrete slab

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Keeping Records If successful in securing funding you will have an increased responsibility to be accountable for those funds and be able to report on the project’s performance.

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You must ensure that: 1.Adequate Financial systems to manage the grant 2. Accurate Financial reporting -documentation

retained i.e. receipts 3.Monitor progress of the project-the Committee

will need to report on the project’s performance- did you achieve the expected outcomes? Did the project work well?

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AMSA Resources Available on AMSA website or email AMSA or Liz • The Men’s Shed Grants Manual • The National Shed Development Programme • Grant Writing Guidelines

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Q & A

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2017 Australian Men’s Shed Association 7th National Conference

29 September - 1 October 2017 Mantra on View Hotel

Surfers Paradise, Queensland

If you would like a copy of the presentation please email

amsa@mensshed.net

or

liz@mensshed.net

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for attending the 7th National Men’s Shed Conference.

We hope you are enjoying the programme