For further information on any of the following questions, please refer to the Volunteer Grants 2013 Application Guidelines.
Q. When can I apply for Volunteer Grants 2013?
A. Eligible organisations can apply for Volunteer Grants 2013 funding from Friday 15 March 2013. The closing date for applications is Wednesday 24 April 2013 5pm AEST.
Q. How do I get further information about Volunteer Grants?
A. Telephone the Volunteer Grants Hotline on 1800 183 374 or email vg2013@fahcsia.gov.au. The Volunteer Grants 2013 Application Guidelines are available on the Department's website.
Q. What is the process for applying for Volunteer Grants 2013 funding?
A. Organisations are required to apply using the Volunteer Grants 2013 Application Form and encouraged to read the Application Guidelines.
The online Application Form is the preferred method to apply.
A paper-based, alternate Word version of the Volunteer Grants 2013 Application Form can be requested by calling the Volunteer Grants Hotline on 1800 183 374 or by emailing vg2013@fahcsia.gov.au. Information about how to complete an Application Form can be found at Section Five in the Application Guidelines.
Q. Can my organisation apply more than once for funding?
A. No. If more than one application is submitted, only one application will be considered for funding. However, an organisation can sponsor a maximum of 20 applications for funding, and apply for funding in their own right.
Q. Is my organisation eligible to apply for funding?
A. Generally, eligible organisations will be Australian not-for-profit organisations whose volunteers' work supports families and/or communities in Australia and are legal entities, such as Incorporated Associations. Volunteer Grants 2013 is available to community organisations that support the Government's social inclusion priorities. Preference will be given to organisations that assist disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals, families and communities. Further information can be found in the Application Guidelines.
Q. Can my organisation apply for funding if it is not a legal entity?
A. No, an organisation must be a legal entity, normally incorporated. However, your organisation may be sponsored by an eligible organisation, who can apply on your behalf. The sponsoring organisation must be an organisation that has the necessary legal entity status to enter into a funding agreement with the Department and to administer the funding on your behalf. Further information can be found in the Application Guidelines.
Q. How many applications can an organisation sponsor?
A. Organisations may sponsor a maximum of 20 Volunteer Grants 2013 applications. Should an organisation sponsor more than 20 applications, only the first 20 applications will be assessed by the Department and this decision will be final. Sponsoring organisations must have a direct connection or relationship with the organisation they are sponsoring, with full agreement to apply, or the application may not be considered. Where possible, the sponsoring organisation should be located in the same State or Territory as the sponsored organisation. A sponsoring organisation can also apply for a grant in its own right.
Q. Can Local Governments apply for funding?
A. No. Local Governments are not eligible to apply for funding in their own right.
However, Local Government entities may sponsor an organisation with volunteers where an organisation is not a legal entity in its own right and the Local Government entity is the only or most reasonable option to sponsor the organisation in the community.
Q. Can Commonwealth and State/Territory Government departments apply for funding?
A. No. Commonwealth and State/Territory Government departments are not eligible to apply for funding in their own right. However, a State/Territory Government educational institution may sponsor the local parent and friends/citizens association where the association is not a legal entity in its own right, or on behalf of a school council/board whose legal status is linked to the school's governing body, such as a State/Territory Government school. Note: Sub-groups/committees, individual projects, community groups and activities are not eligible to be sponsored by state government entities.
Q. Who in my organisation can complete an application for funding?
A. The application should be completed by a representative of the organisation with authority to commit the organisation to the Terms and Conditions of Volunteer Grants 2013. The representative is normally the President, Secretary, Treasurer, CEO, Manager or Coordinator. Applications submitted online, or via email, should be submitted by a person with the authority to act on behalf of the organisation. Paper‑based applications must be signed by a representative of the organisation.
Q. How much can my organisation apply for?
A. Volunteer Grants 2013 provides funding of between $1,000 and $5,000 for not-for-profit community organisations to assist their volunteers.
Q. Can I apply for more than $5,000?
A. No. Total funding cannot exceed $5,000 (GST incl.) for an organisation.
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Q. Can I apply for less than $1,000?
A. No. The minimum amount of funding is $1,000 (GST incl.) for an organisation.
Q. What can my organisation use the funding for?
A. Volunteer Grants 2013 funding will allow eligible organisations to:
- Purchase portable, tangible, small equipment items to help their volunteers
- Contribute to the reimbursement of fuel costs for their volunteers who use their own car to transport others to activities, deliver food, assist with medical appointments or help people in need
- Contribute to the reimbursement of transport costs incurred by volunteers with disability who are unable to drive
- Contribute to the cost of training courses and/or undertake background screening checks for their volunteers.
Q. What training can my organisation provide to volunteers using this funding?
A. Organisations are able to use the funding to contribute to the cost of training courses for their volunteers. It is envisaged that the training should provide additional skills and qualifications needed in their volunteering role and these skills may be transferable across other volunteering organisations (such as first aid training). Training courses may include, but are not limited to, mental health, first aid, leadership, communication skills, governance and/or working with vulnerable people. Recognised courses leading to a Statement of Attainment, Certificate or Diploma are preferred.
Q. Can volunteers apply directly for funding for their fuel/transport costs?
A. No. Only an eligible organisation can apply for funding on behalf of their volunteers.
Q. Can fuel costs apply to the organisation's equipment and machinery?
A. No. Funding is limited to motor vehicle fuel (including petrol, diesel and gas) costs as a reimbursement of volunteer’s costs incurred when undertaking their volunteering activities. Further information can be found in the Application Guidelines.
Q. When do applications close?
A. Online electronic applications close on Wednesday 24 April 2013 at 5pm AEST. It will not be possible to submit an electronic application after this time. Email applications close on Wednesday 24 April 2013 at 5pm AEST and applications sent by post must be postmarked no later than Wednesday 24 April 2013.
Q. When and how will my organisation know if our application has been successful?
A. The assessment process will take approximately four months. The announcement of successful organisations for Volunteer Grants 2013 will follow the assessment period. All applicants will be notified of the outcome in writing to the contact person nominated in the application. Successful organisations will be listed on the Department’s website and will receive funding once the Letter of Offer is signed by the organisation and accepted by the Department.
Q. What happens if we are successful, and when can we expect the grant funds?
A. Successful organisations will be emailed or posted a Letter of Offer and asked to accept the Terms and Conditions between the organisation and the Department. Funded organisations are responsible for ensuring the Terms and Conditions of the Letter of Offer are met. Funds will be made available once the Letter of Offer has been signed and returned by the organisation and accepted by the Department. The funds can only be paid to the organisation that applied under Volunteer Grants 2013.
Q. Does my organisation need to return receipts to acquit the funding?
A. The Department may require you to provide proof of purchase and to allow the Australian Government's auditors to look at your records. Original receipts are required as proof of purchase for all items. Receipts must be retained for five years. It is the responsibility of the organisation to maintain a complete set of records for acquittal purposes.
It is not necessary to acquit the funding or send a report or receipts to the Department, unless requested to do so. Further acquittal information is included in the Application Guidelines.