Priority areas for funding

The Commission will consider projects under the Community Development Grants Program that address one or more of the priority areas for funding:

• emerging or small ethnic communities
• communities that are geographically or socially isolated
• promotion of community harmony and mutual understanding between and within communities of different cultural and religious backgrounds
• development of community networks and structures, and
• projects that address critical issues relating to cultural diversity at a local level.

Projects may include the promotion of cultural expression, the enhancement of community development or capital purchases.

The Commission will fund minor capital-based projects, including building works, only in cases where the organisation can demonstrate that the project meets the eligibility criteria.  In addition, the organisation must demonstrate that it has the funds to complete the project within twelve months of receiving a grant.

A small amount of funding is available for innovative web-based programs.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for funding under the Community Development Grants Program, the following criteria must be met:

1. An organisation (not including local government) must be a non-profit sharing community organisation that is one of the following:
   • an association under the Associations Incorporation Act
   • a co-operative society under the Co-operatives Act
   • a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act
   • established by legislation.
   The structure of an incorporated organisation provides accountability for grant money and for managing the project to achieve planned outcomes or goals.
   
   
2. The project must be conducted or located within New South Wales.
   
   
3. The project must clearly identify and address a community need.  The application must show that the project will be of direct benefit to a specific group or groups within our culturally diverse community.  In addition, and where appropriate, the project should assist individuals and groups to participate in the development of their own communities.
   
   
4. The application must show how each specific group will have a say in the management of the project.  The Commission holds the view that projects that deliver the best outcomes, are those that encourage participation from the specific group and the community.
   
   
5. The application must clearly define the outcomes or goals of the project.  That is, what the project should achieve in order to be successful.  These outcomes should be specific, not merely broad aims.
   
   
6. The application must clearly outline project phases and timelines that will be implemented to carry out the project.  Each phase must have defined measurable performance indicators to ensure that the project will achieve successful specified outcomes.
   
   
7. The application must show a realistic budget for the project.  The project must be cost effective and financially viable.  A complete budget must be included in the application.  The nature, size and cost of the project should realistically reflect the genuine level of need in the community.  Applications that contain unrealistic budgets will not be recommended for funding. 

   Note: the Commission may not grant the full amount requested, in which case the applicant will be asked to revise its budget or project.

8. The organisation must have acquitted previous grants received from the Commission which were due for acquittal.

Restrictions

The following activities will not be funded:

• any activity of a party political nature
• the promotion or celebration of national or independence days, except Australia Day and the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee [NAIDOC] Day
• the development, maintenance or promotion of places of worship
• the printing, production, promotion or distribution of newsletters
• the purchase of land
• visits by overseas artists, except tutors for the purpose of tutoring
• any activity of a commercial nature that is for personal profit
• media projects such as the production of audio and visual programs for broadcast, including but not limited to webcasts and podcasts
• activities for fund raising projects
• the promotion of a religion or a religious ritual, except Multifaith events which have the active involvement or participation of people of more than one religion
  
• projects that are generally funded under other State or Commonwealth government grants programs.

• 
  
  The Commission will not subsidise the financial shortfall for projects funded from other sources.

  The Commission will not fund projects previously funded by another body.