Grants – A Coordinated Approach
To maximise prospects of success a well planned and coordinated approach is critical.
Areas for consideration include:
- The basics – Is your house in order? It is useful to establish a central file so as to collect, store and update club information/ documentation. Information generally required for grant submissions includes financial information, incorporation certificate, constitution and membership trend analysis.
- Compliance – Ensure eligibility! Does the club have any unresolved compliance issues? Has financial documentation been submitted with the Office of Fair Trading? Have previous grants been acquitted?
- Planning – Be ahead of the game! Has your organisation undertaken relevant planning? Is your project referenced/ linked to any broader planning documentation (e.g. Government, State Sporting Organisation etc.)?
- Need – What trends, demographic and statistical information are relevant? Will the project result in increased participation? Will this project fill a service gap in terms of facility/ service provision? Who have you consulted with? Has such consultation been documented? Are other groups involved. If so, how and under what arrangements?
- Ability to deliver – Can you make it happen? Are relevant approvals in place? How advanced is your design/costing exercise? Do you have capacity to fund your share? How will these funds be provided?
The objective when preparing a grant submission is to present a low risk, shovel ready project that addresses need and is supported by relevant planning and appropriate consultation.
