ACT WOMEN S GRANTS PROGRAM

Transcription

1 ACT WOMEN S GRANTS PROGRAM Guidelines APPLICATIONS OPEN ON 8 MARCH 2013 AND CLOSE AT 5 PM FRIDAY 19 APRIL Supplementary Gender Analysis

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION The ACT Women s Plan ACT Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Strategy Funding Categories Available Funds FUNDING CATEGORIES Category One: Capacity Building Projects Category Two: Special Projects Category Three: Audrey Fagan Violence Prevention Projects GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS Eligibility Criteria What will not be funded Administrative Requirements Deed of Grant Acquittal of Grant Funds Insurance Additional/Other Costs Confidentiality Submitting and Application Steps to completing Application Assessment Process FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...7 ACCESSIBILITY The ACT Government is committed to making its information, services, events and venues, accessible to as many people as possible. If you have difficulty reading a standard printed document and would like to receive this publication in an alternative format such as large print or audio please telephone (02) If English is not your first language and you require the translating and interpreting services please telephone If you are deaf or hearing impaired and required the TTY typewriter service please telephone (02) ACT Women s Grants Program Guidelines Page 2 of 7

3 ACT WOMEN S GRANTS PROGRAM GUIDELINES 1 INTRODUCTION Applications are invited for the ACT Women s Grants Program, which is an ACT Government initiative established to advance the objectives and priorities of the ACT Women s Plan ACT Women s Plan (the Plan) The Plan aims to improve the status and lives of women and girls in the ACT. The Plan is based on principles of access, equity, participation and safety outlines objectives and priority areas across economic, social and environmental domains. 1.2 ACT Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Strategy (the Strategy) The Strategy aims to involve the whole community in upholding and respecting the rights of women and children to live free from the fear and experience of violence. The Strategy outlines four primary objectives to address violence against women and children in the ACT: women and children are safe because an anti-violence culture exists in the ACT; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children are supported and safe in their communities; women and children s needs are met through joined up services and systems; and men who use violence are held accountable and supported to change their behaviour. A copy of the ACT Women s Plan and ACT Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Strategy can be found on the Women ACT website at: 2 FUNDING CATEGORIES 2.1 Category One: Capacity Building Projects This category seeks to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of community organisation to advance the objective and priorities of the ACT Women s Plan. The maximum funding available for a Capacity Building Project is $5,000 (GST Exclusive). 2.2 Category Two: Special Projects This category seeks to advance the objectives and priorities of the ACT Women s Plan by contributing to public policy, service development, or gendered research. The maximum funding available for a Special Project is $25,000 (GST Exclusive). 2.3 Category Three: Audrey Fagan Violence Prevention Projects This category seeks to progress one or more of the objectives outlined in the ACT Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Strategy The maximum funding available for an Audrey Fagan Violence Prevention Project is $15,000 (GST Exclusive). ACT Women s Grants Program Guidelines Page 3 of 7

4 2.4 Available Funds A total of $130,000 is available in for one-off projects of up to 12 months in duration. Where appropriate, applications should demonstrate sustainability of the project. This may include submitting applications in partnership with an established community organisations and/or detailing how the project will contribute to the continuation and viability of future activities and outcomes for women and girls in the ACT. An eligible organisation / group may submit only one application under each category. 3.1 Eligibility criteria 3 GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS To be eligible for assessment for ACT Women s Grants Program funding, your organisation must meet ALL the following criteria: 1. be one of the following: a) an Incorporated Association, or b) have an auspicing arrangement with an incorporated organisation, or c) be a Registered Not-for-Profit Organisation. 2. be applying for funding for a project of benefit women and girls in the ACT relating to the objectives outlined in the ACT Women s Plan or the ACT Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Strategy have an Australian Business Number (ABN), or if auspiced, be auspiced by an organisation with an ABN/ACN; 4. Demonstrate evidence of have appropriate insurance; 5. have no overdue acquittals for any previous ACT Government grants such as the provision of evaluation reports, financial acquittals, and / or audited financial statements; 6. complete all questions in the application form and have the Applicant Authorisation signed by the appropriate person (Chair, President or Executive Officer or equivalent); and submit the application form and provide all required documentation by the closing date on Friday 20 April Individuals, profit making groups or private consultants are ineligible to apply for funding under the ACT Women s Grants Program. What will not be funded The following projects / activities will not be funded: projects / activities that do not achieve outcomes in line with the objectives of the ACT Women s Plan and/or the ACT Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Strategy; project that does not primarily occur within the ACT; existing projects or services; services or programs that are already funded by the ACT Government; projects requiring ongoing funding to sustain the project or activity; projects which include retrospective funding for activities that have already taken place; ACT Women s Grants Program Guidelines Page 4 of 7

5 projects where alternative funding is available; projects which have a high component of administration costs ongoing commitments such as contracts, employment obligations, hire purchases or rental agreements beyond the period funded; existing but unfunded staff positions; purchase or lease of real estate; and activities for or by a political party. 3.3 Administrative Requirements All successful applicants (or the auspicing organisation in the case of non-incorporated applicants) will be required to: enter into a Deed of Grant; be responsible for the reporting and acquitting of the grant within the timeframe specified; provide proof of appropriate insurance cover; and appropriately acknowledge the ACT Government for the assistance provided for the project. 3.4 Deed of Grant Successful applicants will be required to enter into a Deed of Grant with the ACT Government, which outlines in detail the requirements of the grant and the conditions under which the funding is awarded. 3.5 Acquittal of Grant Funds Successful applicants must expend the funds within twelve months of receipt of funds or at the completion of the project, whichever is sooner. The funds must be expended in accordance to the project outlined in the grant application and in the Deed of Grant. An acquittal of the grant must be provided within 60 days of the completion of the grant project or 12 months from issuing of Grant. Any unexpended funds are to be returned at the time of acquitting the grant. 3.6 Insurance Successful applicants may be required to obtain public liability, professional indemnity and / or worker s compensation insurance, depending on the nature of the project. Insurance requirements will be assessed on a case by case basis. Information about insurance requirements is available from the ACT Public Liability Insurance Risk Advisory website: or phone (02) Additional/Other Costs Should the project cost exceed the amount awarded, the ACT Government will not be responsible nor obliged to pay any monies additional to the notified amount awarded under the original grant. 3.8 Confidentiality All material submitted to the Office for Women is provided in confidence. However, the ACT Government will make public a list of successful applicants through the ACT Grants Portal and may also promote successful applicants for the mutual benefit of the Women s Grants and the applicant. Details of applications will not be made available to third parties without permission. ACT Women s Grants Program Guidelines Page 5 of 7

6 3.9 Submitting an application The ACT Women s Grants will use an online application form which can be accessed at: All applications must be submitted online. Hardcopy or ed applications will not be accepted. If your require assistance to complete your application please contact the ACT Women s Grants Secretariat on (02) or (02) during business hours, or women@act.gov.au 3.10 Steps to completing your application: You will need to create a log in to begin your application. You may begin anywhere in the application form. Please ensure you save as you go. If you require assistance with the online application process or if an error occurs, please contact the ACT Women s Grants Secretariat on (02) or (02) during business hours, or women@act.gov.au and quote your application number. Navigating (moving through) the application form On the right hand side of every screen, there is a box which links directly to every page of the application. Click on any page to jump directly to that page. You can also click 'next page' or 'previous page' on the top or bottom of each page to move forward or backward through the application. Saving your draft application and returning You can press 'save' at any point and log out. When you log back in, your draft application will be saved and you can start where you left off. Submitting your application The submit button is on the final page. You will not be able to submit your application until all the compulsory questions (marked *) are completed. Attachments and supporting documentation You may wish to upload/submit attachments to support your application. This is very simple, but requires you to have the documents saved on your computer, on a zip drive, or similar. If you are not able to upload a document, please contact us for support (see above) or simply send these documents by post to: ACT Women s Grants Program, GPO Box 158, Canberra, ACT, 2601 or by to: women@act.gov.au All supporting documentation must be submitted with the grant application If your application does not include all required documentation, it will be deemed ineligible. Completing an application in a group/team A number of people can work on an application using the same log in details provided that only one person is working at a time. Ensure you save as you go. Once you have completed your application it will be automatically submitted to the Secretariat. The Secretariat is unable to view your application until you submit it. You can upload supporting documentation to your application on the page after the declaration and privacy statement. Keep a copy of your application You are able to print a copy of your completed online application. It is recommended you keep a copy for your records. ACT Women s Grants Program Guidelines Page 6 of 7

7 Correct contact details Please ensure that the contact details listed in your application form are correct and that the contact officer is readily available. The success of your application may depend on this. For further advice or assistance please contact the ACT Women s Grants Secretariat during business hours on (02) or women@act.gov.au 3.11 Assessment Process When your application is received, it will be checked against the ACT Women s Grants Program Guidelines to ensure eligibility for funding. All eligible applications will then be provided to assessment panel members to be reviewed and rated. Applications will be assessed by a three member panel comprised of representatives from the ACT Government and the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Women. Panel members will be appointed based on their knowledge and experience of issues affecting women and girls in the ACT. Recommendations for funding will then be made to the Minister for Women for final approval. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications in writing. Q1 4 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How much funding is available? Total funding for the ACT Women s Grants is $130,000 with the maximum individual grants available being: $5,000 (GST Exclusive) for Capacity Building Projects; $25,000 (GST Exclusive) for Special projects; or $15,000 (GST Exclusive) for Audrey Fagan Violence Prevention Projects. Q2: I have an idea for funding but not sure if it fits the purpose of the ACT Women s Grants Program. What should I do? If you are not sure if your idea will meet the eligibility criteria and you wish to discuss your proposal please contact the ACT Women s Grants Secretariat during business hours on (02) or women@act.gov.au ACT Women s Grants Program Guidelines Page 7 of 7