Making an application for funds

Application guidelines

Once we have assessed your initial expression of interest, we may request a full application from your organisation. Before you write your application, please read the guidelines below.

The application process may include presentations from applicants or site visits by our Board members. All grants are framed by an agreement that details the conditions under which the funds are being awarded. All grant recipients are required to provide details of their evaluation process and present final reports. This allows Sydney Community Foundation to gain an understanding of the overall effect these grants have on the entire community.

Submitting an application

There is no closing date for applications - SCF considers applications throughout the year. Please email your application and any accompanying documentation to enquiries@sydneycommunityfoundation.org.au or post to us at PO Box 767 Crows Nest NSW 1585. We will acknowledge receipt of all applications, but please allow around three months for the assessment process.

Your application must include details on the following:

Your organisation

The aim of this section is to verify the status of your organisation and eligibility for Sydney Community Foundation funding. Sydney Community Foundation also needs to identify the capability of your organisation to deliver the project outcomes, i.e. does your track record demonstrate that you can deliver projects?

1. Name of applicant organisation. This should be the legal name. Also indicate if there is another name the organisation is known by, or a short name.

2. Address of the organisation

3. Name of the contact person, role and contact details including email

4. Name of chief executive officer and contact details

5. Australian Business Number (ABN). An ABN must be provided. This must match the legal entity that is the applicant. If you do not have an ABN see www.abr.gov.au.

6. Do you have Tax Concession Charity (TCC) endorsement from the Australian Tax Office? Please provide evidence of this status.

7. Do you have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) endorsement from the Australian Tax Office? Please provide evidence of this status.

8. Track record and capacity of the organisation. Sydney Community Foundation needs to identify if the organisation has the skills and experience to run a project such as proposed in this application. This might include:

   • Who are the key people in your organisation required to manage and deliver this project?
   • What is their track record?
   • What is the track record of the organisation?
   • Do you have sufficient infrastructure to run the project - i.e. office, computers, phones, staff?

If you have any readily available documents that would establish the capacity of your organisation these can be included. Supporting documentation might include previous project reports, annual reports, strategic plans etc.

The Project

This aim of this section is to demonstrate you have a well planned project that has a high chance of success. Please try to answer each question specifically, rather than providing extensive general background.

1. Project title

2. Briefly describe the project, its objectives and deliverables.

   Objectives need to be:

   • Specific (so we know exactly what the objective is)
   • Measurable (so we are able to measure how far we have progressed towards the final goal)
   • Achievable (so we can see that the way you propose to do the project is highly likely to achieve the result you are aiming for)
   • Realistic (so we can see that you can do the project with the resources you have plus the grant funds)
   • Time bound (there is a defined timeframe against which progress towards the goal can be tracked)

   For example, the objectives for a previous recipient of a SCF grant, Young, Black & Deadly, were to:

   • run 3 performing art talent workshops for the target group supported by leading performers
   • identify sufficient talent for a concert finale in 2006
   • run a professional concert in 2006 showcasing the talents of the target group
   • develop the performing talents of the participants
   • improve the confidence of the participants to pursue their performing talents.

3. Which Sydney Community Foundation priority does this project address?

   • young people at risk
   • young families and women experiencing disadvantage
   • indigenous and culturally diverse communities
   • older people experiencing social isolation
   • our environment - through initiatives promoting sustainability.

4. Briefly describe the target group and their location

5. How is this project proposing to create social change in Greater Sydney?

6. How does this project pioneer a response to community needs? How is this solution different to what is already being offered?

7. How will this project focus on prevention or early intervention?

8. How is this project replicable or sustainable once the funding period is over? (What is the lasting impact of the project? What will be ongoing when this project is completed?)

9. How does this project develop the community's, or service providers', skills, knowledge and engagement?

10. How will you manage risk in the project? (What risk management plans do you have to ensure the critical activities and other results are achieved? For example, what happens if a key person gets sick or leaves a project?)

11. What is the project budget?
    • What funds do you want from Sydney Community Foundation?
    • What will the funding be used for?
    • What other funds will be used or required to do this project?
    • Where do these funds come from?

    If you have a spreadsheet, please attach this.

    As a guide Sydney Community Foundation is able to fund applications up to $50,000 in one year.

12. Is there opportunity for Sydney Community Foundation to see the project?

Evaluation of the application process

Sydney Community Foundation would appreciate if you could provide feedback on the application process.

1. Were the questions and instructions in the application guidelines clear and succinct?
2. How long did the application take to complete?
3. How can we do better next time?

A checklist for applicants

• Is your organisation eligible for SCF funding?
• Does your organisation have the capacity to deliver the project results?
• Has your application addressed the SCF grant-making criteria?
• Does your application clearly demonstrate a well-planned project with a high likelihood of success?
• Have you completed all sections of the application, including budget?