Banyule Charitable Fund

The Banyule Charitable Fund (BCF) supports charitable organisations that help make our community safe, healthy, vibrant and connected; where residents of all ages and identities want to live, work, stay and feel welcome.

BCF invites applications from community groups and organisations that:

Multi-colour logo for the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation

Amounts

A pool of $88,000 is available. There is no minimum or maximum amount: apply for what is appropriate for your activity.

You must read the full guidelines(PDF, 166KB) before submitting your application.

Key dates

  • Applications open on 28 February 2022
  • Applications close on 3 April 2022
  • Recommendations sent to Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation (LMCF)
  • Successful grants are announced in June 2022.

Eligibility

Who can apply

Community groups and organisations that:

  • provide support, programs or services to people in Banyule
  • have been established and operational for a minimum of 12 months
  • hold public liability insurance.

Who cannot apply

  • Individuals
  • Groups with outstanding debt to Council
  • Groups with outstanding acquittals to Council or the LMCF

What we will not fund

  • core business of educational, religious, medical or political organisations
  • projects are the responsibility of another funding body or level of government
  • prizes, trophies, scholarships, donations, fundraising, sponsorships or gifts
  • retrospective funding
  • equipment that does not remain the property of the applicant
  • consumable supplies such as stationery or craft supplies
  • recurring operational expenses, including utilities such as gas, water and electricity
  • costs related to project management, delivery or auspicing fees
  • projects that have received full funding for the same project from another source
  • projects on government or Council-owned land, parks and open space unless there is a license agreement in place

Application

Applications must be submitted through SmartyGrants. Register and start a new application: you can save and return to your application at any time.

  • Review your application carefully before submitting as once it is submitted, you cannot go back and make changes.
  • Ensure all required documentation is attached before submitting your application.
  • When you submit your application, you will receive an application number. Make a note of it for future reference.
  • Applicants will receive an email from Smarty Grants when the application has been successfully submitted.

Financials

Financial details to support applications

  • A current detailed profit and loss statement, audited financial statement or the financial statement presented at your AGM must be provided with the application (bank statements will not be accepted).
  • If savings or term deposits exist, the group must clearly explain what the funds are set aside for.
  • Groups with substantial cash in bank accounts who do not explain what the money is allocated for will be considered a lower priority.
  • The application needs to demonstrate why the proposal cannot be completed with existing funds.
  • Applicants must demonstrate that they are in a sound financial position.

Assessment

There are 3 stages in the assessment process:

  • We check that all applications meet the eligibility criteria.
  • We put forward recommended applications to the LMCF.
  • LMCF approves or rejects our recommendations.

We may decide to not fund, partially fund or funds match an application.

Acquittal

At the completion of the agreed proposal, a completed acquittal form must be submitted.

  • To successfully acquit your grant, you are required to submit receipts and a final report accounting for your expenditure.
  • Receipts must list items purchased, detailing the cost per item, and the total cost. All receipts should reflect the expenditure approved and align with the grant budget or letter of offer.
  • Invoices and bank transfer statements cannot be accepted as proof of purchase.
  • Failure to acquit the grant satisfactorily will be considered a breach.
  • A breach may result in requests for grant funds to be returned to the LMCF and exclude the group from future grant rounds.

About the LMCF

BCF is a charitable fund account of the LMCF. Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, the community foundation for greater Melbourne, is the trustee of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund ABN 63 635 798 473.

Accessibility

The grants process is open and accessible to everyone, including if:

  • you need a printed copy of the guidelines or a printed copy in large print;
  • you need to discuss these guidelines by phone;
  • you need the guidelines in a captioned video format;
  • you need to discuss the guidelines with us using the services of an Auslan interpreter;
  • your hearing or speech is impaired, you can call us through the National Relay Service on 133 677 (TTY) or 1300 555 727 on an ordinary handset and ask for 9490 4222;
  • you need a language interpreter please contact TIS National on 131 450 and ask to be connected to us on 9490 4222; or
  • you need a printed form and support to enter information into SmartyGrants please contact us for assistance.

If you face any barriers to applying and would like to discuss these or any other ways we can help you, please contact us.

Contact us

Contact Karen Molinaro on 9457 9955 for more information on the criteria and process.

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