Overview
In 2011 the Sydney Women’s Fund commissioned research with the aim of obtaining an initial “Portrait of Women and Girls in Greater Sydney” area.
The research, undertaken by the Australia Street Company, found that income inequality is a major issue for many women in this city and this inequality manifests itself in health, housing, employment and educational outcomes. A major finding of the research is that this inequality is becoming entrenched according to geography; there exists a major divide in Sydney between the lives of those in the more affluent eastern and northern suburbs, and the lower income households of the south-west.
The 2012 Sydney Women’s Fund grant round aims to focus efforts on groups identified as in greatest need through the Portrait Project evidence base.
The concept
This Project represents an innovative approach to grantmaking and invites applications for community projects in Greater Sydney that help create a a community where all women and girls achieve their potential, live safely without fear of discrimination or disadvantage, and enjoy the full benefits of life in Sydney. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to be included in the forthcoming Sydney Women’s Fund grants campaign which the Sydney Community Foundation will take to potential donors.
The Sydney Women’s Fund aims to fund small, grass roots organisations that work towards improving the wellbeing and advancement of women and girls who live in Sydney, even in small ways.
Successful applicants will not receive immediate funding from the Sydney Women’s Fund but rather receive the opportunity to participate in this new approach to donor engagement as we promote the successful projects to the wider Sydney community. We will be seeking donors to fund these projects and join us in strengthening women in the Greater Sydney community.
This approach has been successful within the Sydney Women’s Fund, and provides organisations with an opportunity to increase their exposure, raise awareness and potentially gain higher levels of donor engagement. Click here to see the example of the 2011 Sydney Women’s Fund Inaugural Projects.
The Sydney Women’s Fund stresses this is not a guaranteed immediate granting program but an opportunity to participate in an innovative approach to growing giving in Sydney. Projects that are time critical are not encouraged to apply.
Focus areas
The Sydney Women’s Fund will consider proposals that address need in these areas:
& Older Women at risk of homelessness
& Girls and young women in low income areas
& Indigenous women
& Migrant and refugee women
& Woman as carers with a particular focus on sole mothers
Grant parameters
The Sydney Women’s Fund will accept submissions for grants between $5,000 and $9,500.
Grant criteria
Submissions will initially be assessed against the following criteria:
& Does the application fit within the key focus and catchment areas for the Sydney Women’s Fund 2012 grant round?
& Is there a clearly identified need and target group for this project?
& Is the project appropriate to meet the identified need?
& Does this project represent duplication of existing services?
& How effective and sustainable will the impact be?
& Who and how many will benefit from this project?
Grant exclusions
Grants will not be made for:
& Religious or political causes
& Projects for building traditional infrastructure which is the responsibility of government
& Fundraising costs and annual appeals
& Sporting projects where sport is the principal purpose
& Emergency relief, except where a major crisis affects the Sydney community.
Eligibility
The Sydney Women’s Fund welcomes applications from a diverse range of non profit community organisations, for projects and activities which align with the Sydney Women’s Fund’s vision and which meet some or all of our stated criteria above. Applicants must have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) and Tax Concession Charity (TCC) endorsement from the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
As the Sydney Women’s Fund was created to benefit women and girls in Greater Sydney, the 2012 Grants Round will only provide funding for initiatives and projects that are delivered within the Sydney region (generally speaking, this region is bordered by the Hawkesbury to the north, the Blue Mountains to the west, Camden to the south west and the Sutherland shire to the south).
How to apply
There are two stages to the application process, the first being to submit a Grant Application form. We are looking for applications which focus on improving the wellbeing and advancement of women and girls who live in Sydney. You can contact the SCF on 02 9251 1228, or send an email to scfgrants@sydneycommunityfoundation.org.au should you require clarification as to whether your project is something that would be considered for funding.
Grant applications for the Sydney Women’s Fund 2012 grants round open on 12 December 2011 and will close on 6 February 2012.
Click here for the Sydney Women’s Fund Grant Application form and related information. The grant application form must be completed in full to be considered. As the SCF office has very limited space, please do not send DVDs, posters or other material with your application.
The SCF will acknowledge all applications within two (2) weeks of receipt. We may request additional information from you after you have submitted your application.
The second stage of the application process is to assess all applications against the criteria and focus areas stated above. From the applications received a listing of those applicants whose projects best meet the criteria will be formulated, and these applicants will be notified in writing to submit referees and to organise a site visit. A list will then be finalised for inclusion in the Sydney Women’s Fund 2012 Grants brochure, to be launched early 2012. Funding for these projects will be sought during 2012.