Sunbury and Bulla Neighbourhood Fund - Frequently asked questions

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Sunbury and Bulla Neighbourhood Fund
Sunbury and Bulla Neighbourhood Fund - Frequently asked questions

The $2 million Sunbury & Bulla Neighbourhood Fund is a Victorian Government grants and partnerships program.

The program is designed to support the communities of Sunbury and Bulla, acknowledging the temporary disruption to the local area while soil is being transported during the construction of the West Gate Tunnel.

A range of community-led initiatives will be eligible for funding that bring benefits to the area and the people that live there, supporting connectedness, liveability and wellbeing.

There are two rounds of funding. Both rounds are now closed for applications. An announcement of the successful applicants for the second round of funding will be made in June 2023. Learn more about the Round 1 successful recipients.

Community and not-for-profit groups that are based in Hume City Council and conduct activities that benefit residents in Sunbury and/or Bulla can apply for a Sunbury & Bulla Neighbourhood Fund grant or partnership.

Applications are invited from:

incorporated not-for-profit community organisations
groups auspiced by not-for-profit community organisations (for grant applications only)
Hume City Council (for partnership applications only)

To be eligible to apply for a grant or partnership, community groups/organisations must:

be based in the Hume City Council area and propose a project/event where the majority of participants are residents of Sunbury and/or Bulla.
demonstrate that the project can be delivered within 12 months of the funding announcement
have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
be a not-for-profit agency or not-for profit incorporated association
have public liability insurance (PLI).
If an organisation does not have an ABN, incorporation and public liability insurance, the organisation can apply through an auspice organisation (grants applicants only)

Hume City Council is eligible to apply for a partnership.

Applicants will not be eligible to receive a grant if they:

derive income from gambling, or is proposing to conduct activities that promote gambling;
have a debt owing to the local council where the project will be undertaken;
have not submitted an acquittal for any previous grant or partnership from the relevant local council.

Applications that fit into one of the following three categories may be eligible for funding:

Partnerships

Transforming Neighbourhoods: Over $50,000 r for improvements to sporting and recreation facilities, local environments, and other initiatives supporting the building of community and participation.

For example, improvements to sporting or club facilities, revitalisation of public spaces and beautification of local waterways.

Grants

Proposed projects must fit into one of the following West Gate Neighbourhood Fund categories:

Celebrating Neighbourhoods: Up to $20,000 for festivals, events, and installations that bring local people together.

For example, community art exhibitions, and local festivals, shows or concerts.

Connecting Neighbourhoods: Up to $50,000 for a one-off project or activity that aims to improve community facilities, amenity and participation.

For example, a series of educational workshops, new uniforms for a local sporting club or new gardening equipment for a community garden.

Proposed projects should improve community connectedness, improve community cohesion and meet a community need.

Council is welcome to apply for the partnerships stream if they have a project that fits the categories.

Both streams will provide funding towards community projects and initiatives, big and small.

Partnerships projects will bring long term benefits to the communities of Sunbury and/or Bulla.

For the Transforming Neighbourhoods Partnerships, $50,000 and over will be available for improvements to local community, sporting and recreation facilities and local environments.

Preference will be given to projects with confirmed co-funding (where relevant).

For the Celebrating Neighbourhoods grants, up to $20,000 will be available for festivals and events that bring local people together, while for the Connecting Neighbourhoods grants up to $50,000 will be available for a one-off project or activity that aims to improve community facilities, amenity and participation.

The fund welcomes ideas that bring together communities in Sunbury and/or Bulla, promoting connectedness and increasing participation.

A wide range of activities are eligible, including projects that celebrate heritage, history or diversity, contribute to safe and liveable environments, focus on arts and culture, emphasise learning and development, or enable greater participation and access of community members.

Examples of projects include:

Celebrating Neighbourhoods Grants - community art exhibitions, and local festivals, shows or concerts.
Connecting Neighbourhoods Grants - a series of educational workshops, new uniforms for a local sporting club or new gardening equipment for a community garden.
Transforming Neighbourhoods Partnerships - improvements to sporting or club facilities, revitalisation of public spaces and beautification of local waterways.

The successful recipients for the inaugural round of the Sunbury & Bulla Neighbourhood Fund program have been announced. View the full recipient list.

Applications for the second round of the Sunbury & Bulla Neighbourhood Fund will open in early 2023.

If you do not have an ABN, Incorporation and public liability insurance, an auspice organisation may be able to assist you in an application for a grant.

Where an auspice organisation participates in an application process:

The auspice organisation is obligated to ensure that the funding is expended within the requirements of the application and funding agreement.
Evidence of the agreement between the two parties to undertake this auspice arrangement must be included with the application, as must all the necessary paperwork to prove insurance, incorporation and ABN status. The auspice organisation receives all the grant payments.

An auspice organisation is an organisation that manages the grant funding on your behalf.

The auspice organisation is obligated to ensure that the funding is expanded within the requirements of the application and funding agreement.

Evidence of the agreement between the 2 parties to undertake this auspice arrangement must be included with the application, as must all the necessary paperwork to prove insurance, incorporation and ABN status. The auspice organisation receives all the grant payments.

You will need to negotiate your own agreement with an auspice organisation.

Yes, you will need to have an auspice organisation identified prior to submitting a grant application.

All projects will be assessed on merit against the following criteria:

Improve community connectedness and cohesiveness - The project will increase the quality and number of connections that an individual has with others in their community and/or the sense of togetherness and bonding that exists between community members.

Meet community need - The project addresses a community priority.

Organisation’s capacity to deliver the project - The organisation has the demonstrated capacity to deliver the project on time and within budget.

Yes, you can submit multiple applications, however, each project must be submitted on a separate application.

Yes. Separate applications will need to be submitted.

As a for-profit organisation, you are not eligible to apply directly to the fund. However, if your organisation is looking to support a community event or program, you may be able to partner with a not-for-profit group that would apply to the fund for support.

Projects or events that have already commenced or have been scheduled will not be considered for funding.

Funding must be used within 12 months of the announcement of the funding. This is consistent with the terms outlined in the Grants and Partnerships Guidelines.

A project evaluation and finance report (acquittal report) must be provided at the conclusion of activities.

If you have questions about the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund or require assistance in submitting an application, please contact 1800 105 105 or email info@wgta.vic.gov.au If you require an interpreter, please call 13 14 50.

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