A guide to the QGC Communities Fund

Transcription

1 Regional Liveability Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Enterprise Development A guide to the QGC Communities Fund

2 CONTENTS About QGC 1 About this guide 1 QGC Communities Fund 2 Enhancing regional liveability 2 Eligibility 3 Your organisation 3 Your project 4 Your application 6 How your application will be assessed 6 Funding dates 7 Assistance with preparation of your application 7 How to submit your application 8 Contact details 8 Important information to note 9 Outcome of your application 9 Feedback 9

3 ABOUT QGC QGC is a leading Australian natural gas company focused on supplying gas to domestic and international markets. We are the developer and operator of Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG), the world s first project to liquefy natural gas from coal seams. Our operations include production from the Surat Basin in southern Queensland; transportation through a 540km pipeline network; and production of liquefied natural gas on Curtis Island off Gladstone. Ongoing benefits from our operations include thousands of jobs and opportunities for local businesses as we deliver a $32 billion boost to Queensland s economy over 10 years. We work to ensure that neighbouring communities benefit from our presence on an enduring basis and that we make a positive contribution to the protection of the environment. ABOUT THIS GUIDE This guide provides information about the QGC Communities Fund, eligibility requirements and when and how to apply for grants. Please take the time to read this booklet before you apply. 1

4 QGC COMMUNITIES FUND Between 2011 and 2014, QGC implemented a social impact management plan (SIMP) that set out commitments to mitigate the social and cultural heritage impacts and maximise benefits to communities during construction of the QCLNG Project. We have developed a strategic social investment program as part of our continued commitment to support the communities in which we operate from Our vision for the QGC Social Investment Program is to contribute to strong, diversified economic growth and sustainability in the communities where we live and work. The program will focus on three key themes that align with the needs of the local community, our business and industry: Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education through new programs to engage school students, teachers and the broader community and improve student performance in these subjects Enterprise development through programs that support aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners to create and grow businesses in south-east Queensland Regional liveability through local projects that improve the sustainability of community organisations, facilitate access to important services for residents and continue to support community cohesion. The QGC Communities Fund has been developed to support the theme of enhancing regional liveability. ENHANCING REGIONAL LIVEABILITY The QGC Communities Fund will enhance regional liveability by building the sustainability of community groups and organisations. Priority will be given to grant applications in the following three key areas Skills development: staff and volunteers can apply to access training as well as other opportunities to build skills and professional networks with other service providers, for the benefit of their organisation Service capacity: clubs, groups and organisations can apply for additional resources and equipment or to enhance facilities (including capital works) or to hold cultural events, which will increase the range, quality or reach of their services STEM education: education providers can apply for additional tools and equipment to facilitate learning in science, technology, engineering and maths education. The QGC Communities Fund supports short-term projects within the Western Downs and Gladstone Regional Council areas with grants between $10,001 and $50,000 administered from two funding rounds each year. The QGC Communities Fund replaces the QGC Sustainable Communities Fund, which provided $6 million to more than 150 not-for-profit organisations to deliver nearly 200 community projects between 2011 and Explore these projects at or check out the video clip by scanning the QR code to the right. 2

5 ELIGIBILITY There are three areas of eligibility for funding related to: your organisation; your project; and your application. Details about each appears on the following pages. YOUR ORGANISATION Your organisation must be an incorporated not-for-profit organisation and based in the Western Downs or Gladstone Regional Council areas Organisations with not-for-profit objectives that are incorporated under a Commonwealth or Queensland Act of Parliament are eligible to apply directly. This includes, but is not limited to, the following current legislation and subordinate legislation or regulations as may be amended from time to time: Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Qld) Religious, Educational and Charitable Institutions Act 1861 (Qld) Cooperatives Act 1997 (Qld) Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (provided such organisation is a company limited by guarantee with not-for-profit objectives) Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976 (Cth) Community Services Act 2007 (Qld) Local Government Act 2009 (Qld) Local Government (Community Government Areas) Act 2004 (Qld) Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (Qld) (including parent and citizens associations) If you are not an incorporated organisation or cannot provide evidence of your incorporation, you can apply for funding through a sponsor organisation. The sponsor organisation must be an incorporated not-for-profit organisation, such as a local council and be based in the Western Downs or Gladstone Regional Council areas. The sponsor organisation will be the legally responsible entity for applying for the funding, implementing the project and fulfilling the reporting and financial acquittal requirements Your sponsor organisation may be your parent body which is based outside of the Western Downs or Gladstone Regional Council areas. For example, a local Scouts group sits under its parent body s incorporation and the head office is in Brisbane. If you use a parent body as your sponsor organisation, your organisation must be able to demonstrate an established permanent operational presence of two years or more in Western Downs or Gladstone Regional Council areas Your organisation must hold a minimum of $10 million public liability insurance and will be required to provide evidence of current insurance with the application. If you are using a sponsor organisation, the public liability insurance must be in their name. 3

6 YOUR PROJECT All nominated projects must meet the following requirements: 4 Projects must be community initiated and driven with clear benefit to communities within the Western Downs and Gladstone Regional Council areas The funding requested from QGC must be between $10,001 and $50,000. Organisations that are registered for GST, and which are successful in their application, will have GST added to the grant amount on payment of the grant Applicants do not need to provide matched funding but do need to detail any cash contributions and in-kind contributions to a project. Examples include volunteer hours, provision of office space and administrative or project management support It must be a short-term, one-off community project or event completed within a 12-month period The project must be delivered or located in the Western Downs or Gladstone Regional Council areas Attendance at training courses and conferences within Australia is eligible. Attendance at training or conferences must be coupled with demonstrated sharing of learnings to colleagues, or to other organisations or groups within the region, after completion of the training or conference. QGC will consider paying for: Travel costs to and from conferences in Australia only for staff or volunteers of the applicant organisation. Travel costs may be domestic flights, car rental or petrol Accommodation for staff or volunteers attending the conference Conference registration fees Travel insurance for all attendees (if applicable) Allowances for meals for attendees up to $50 a day each Training can also be delivered to the applicant organisation from a source based outside the eligible regions Training courses or recognised training organisations can be sourced through the Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS). This information can be sourced from the website, qcoss.org.au, or telephone (07) QCOSS also hosts the Community Door, an online resource for Queensland s community services sector which contains detailed information about topics such as governance, funding, reporting, financial management, quality assurance and service delivery. Visit communitydoor.org.au Other sources of training opportunities include: The Queensland Government s Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing nprsr.qld.gov.au Fundraising Institute of Australia fia.org.au C&K candk.asn.au Matrix on Board Training mob.com.au Projects must start after the nominated dates for each funding round, as detailed on page 7.

7 EXAMPLES OF ELIGIBLE PROJECTS: Training programs to build skills for individuals, or to support organisations governance and/or sustainability Attendance at conferences or seminars with a direct relevance to supporting the work conducted by the organisation with the attendee sharing information with organisation upon return Pilot programs to help develop concepts for building a more sustainable future for the organisation Seed funding for programs with demonstrated sustainability and/or exit strategies Facilities and equipment (e.g. tablets, software, equipment) to deliver science, technology, engineering and maths education Improvements to facilities (e.g. building modifications, outdoor improvements) which support or are directly relevant to the development of services offered by the organisation. Please ensure you have evidence of the owner s approval, or clearly state if you are the owner EXAMPLES OF INELIGIBLE PROJECTS: Projects which are for religious purposes only, e.g. purchase of resources for worship. Religious organisations, including churches, can apply for funding for projects which have a broad non-religious community benefit, e.g. improvements to the hall owned by the church which is used by a range of community organisations Political projects, e.g. activities or resources designed to support a political party or organisation Vehicles for private or individual use An organisation s ongoing service delivery An organisation s ongoing operational costs Salaries and wages unless directly related to the project Retrospective funding for projects Feasibility studies Research. Equipment (e.g. sporting, computers) Events, festivals and exhibitions to support regional liveability objectives Vehicles for collective use (e.g. buses). 5

8 YOUR APPLICATION The QGC Communities Fund application form is available at at the beginning of each funding round. The form must be completed in full and submitted with all necessary attachments to QGC so that it arrives before 5pm on the closing date nominated for each funding round. A fully completed form has: A sponsor organisation identified where required, and provides the sponsor s details in the form as well as evidence of the sponsor s endorsement All questions answered A clearly told story of why this project is important, what community need it addresses, who will benefit and how A detailed project plan outlining specific steps that will be undertaken to complete the project during the funded period, by whom and when A draft communications plan to promote QGC s support for the project. This may include branding using QGC s logo, media releases, photo opportunities and events in addition to your organisation s usual communication activities or in collaboration with QGC A sustainability plan describing how the benefits of this project will continue beyond the funded period A well-considered risk assessment, with viable mitigation strategies outlined A budget that lists all items, in-kind and cash contributions and adds up correctly. A number of documents are required to support your application. These must be attached to the application form for funding to be considered. The mandatory attachments are: Evidence of legal status of organisation, i.e. the accreditation certificate Evidence of current public liability insurance of at least $10 million A complete copy of signed and audited annual financial statements (bank statements are not sufficient) Valid quotes, including GST, for all goods and services proposed to be purchased by you under the project scope and valued at $1,000 or more. Screen shots are not acceptable Letters of support from other members of the community who will benefit from your project being completed Written evidence from the property owner confirming their approval, if the work involves a property the organisation does not own. HOW YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE ASSESSED Applications will be assessed for eligibility in accordance with the guidelines outlined above. If your application is eligible it will then be submitted to a QGC Communities Fund grants assessment panel. There are two grants assessment panels one in the Western Downs and one in Gladstone. These panels comprise even numbers of community members and QGC representatives. This structure enables meaningful community input into the decision-making process. We seek expressions of interest for grants assessment panel members to ensure a cross-section of the community is represented. Members are chosen on the basis of their experience, broad understanding of the communities they represent and willingness to participate on the panels as volunteers. The QGC representatives usually live locally or are a senior member of the company. The grants assessment panels will make decisions based on current priorities in the communities and the eligible applications being considered in that funding round. The panels make recommendations for funding to QGC and any funding provided through the QGC Communities Fund is discretionary. Please note the panel discussions are confidential. Panel members will not disclose which applications were considered for funding, nor any details of their deliberations. 6

9 FUNDING DATES There will be two funding rounds per year. The dates when the rounds open and close appear in the table below. Please note the dates the projects are to start this will be important to take into account when writing your application and sourcing quotes. Successful applicants will enter into a funding agreement with QGC before starting the project. Please note QGC has 30-day payment terms. FUNDING ROUND OPENS FUNDING ROUND CLOSES PROJECTS START FROM Sunday 1 February 2015 Tuesday 31 March 2015 Wednesday 1 July 2015 Saturday 1 August 2015 Wednesday 30 September 2015 Friday 1 January 2016 Monday 1 February 2016 Thursday 31 March 2016 Friday 1 July 2016 Monday 1 August 2016 Friday 30 September 2016 Sunday 1 January 2017 ASSISTANCE WITH PREPARING THE APPLICATION QGC will host information sessions in Western Downs and Gladstone at the beginning of each year. We recommend that you attend one of these sessions if you intend to apply for funding. The sessions cover the guidelines, applications and assessment processes in detail as well as common errors made by applicants that render their applications ineligible. There will also be opportunities to ask questions and discuss ideas about your potential projects with QGC representatives. Further details regarding locations, dates and times for each information session will be advertised in the local media and on our website, closer to the time. If you are unable to attend an information session, please use this booklet and the application form as your guide. QGC can provide general advice to potential applicants outside of the information sessions. Information on the website includes frequently asked questions and examples of projects funded through the QGC Sustainable Communities Fund. Please visit or contact us free on or community@qgc.com.au 7

10 HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION The QGC Communities Fund application form can be viewed and downloaded at The form must be downloaded to be completed. Please your completed application form and attachments to Please note it is likely you will need to send several s due to the size of the completed application form. Please list in the subject line your organisation name, number of each and how many s you are sending, e.g. ABC org, #1 of 5. Don t forget to include a scanned copy of the page displaying your authorised representative s signature. You may also post a hard copy to: CONTACT DETAILS FOR MORE INFORMATION: Freecall: community@qgc.com.au TO SUBMIT A COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM: Post: fund@qgc.com.au QGC Communities Fund GPO Box 3107 Brisbane QLD 4001 GPO Box 3107 Brisbane Qld Please do not bind your application. Your application must be received by 5pm on the funding round closing date. 8

11 IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO NOTE By submitting a completed application form to the QGC Communities Fund you confirm your understanding that: Completion and submission of the application form will not necessarily result in funding Incomplete or ineligible applications cannot be processed The QGC Communities Fund is discretionary, grants assessment panel deliberations remain confidential and funding decisions are final there is no appeals process. Please note that the legal entity applying for the funding is responsible for ensuring: All information provided in the application is true and correct Projects are undertaken in accordance with all applicable laws and licensing requirements There is adequate and appropriate insurance for the project activities All relevant approvals for activities are secured (e.g. council approvals, building owner approvals) All personnel involved in the delivery of the project are appropriately qualified and supervised An authorised person, who can apply for funds on behalf of the applicant organisation, has signed the completed application form You enter into a funding agreement with QGC and meet the reporting requirements, which include financial acquittals QGC s funding is acknowledged on project materials and communication activities in accordance with the communications plan developed as part of the funding agreement. OUTCOME OF YOUR APPLICATION We will notify you of the outcome of your application in writing within 12 weeks of the funding round closing date. If your application is successful, a QGC project manager will work with you to develop a funding agreement. The agreement will include your project management plan, incorporating project details and timeframes provided in your application. The funding agreement must be signed by both parties before funds are released. This can take up to 30 days so please factor this in to your project management plan. FEEDBACK We will provide feedback only to applicants seeking reasons for ineligibility. Thank you for taking the time to find out about the QGC Communities Fund 9

12 QGC Pty Limited Level George Street BRISBANE 4000 Queensland Australia GPO Box 3107 BRISBANE 4001 Queensland Australia Telephone Fax community@qgc.com.au Web QGC 2014 Published November 2014 Cover printed on ecostar UnCoated 100% Recycled 200gsm Text printed on ecostar UnCoated 100% Recycled 140gsm ecostar is an environmentally responsible paper made carbon neutral. The greenhouse gas emissions of the manufacturing process including transportation of the finished product to BJ Ball Warehouses has been measured by the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Management (ECCM) and offset by the CarbonNeutral Company and the fibre source has been independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).