ANHCA Public Fund for DGR

Introductions and a little bit of history

Using the Public Fund gives organisations the opportunity to access funds that require DGR status. Because the majority of Houses are unable to obtain DGR status they they would not able to access these funds in their own right. Why use the Public Fund?

How can you use the Public Fund? Registering for General Donations Project Funding

Whether organisations are seeking general donations or making representations to funding bodies we must be mindful this occurs in the ANHCA Public Fund’s name. It is important to always maintain the integrity of the fund and promote a positive image of Neighbourhood Houses and Centres.

What are General Donations and how do you apply?

A General Donation is a gift of money, with no expectation by the donor for any benefit from giving or any authority in directing how it is spent.

General Donations through the ANHCA Public Fund for DGR 118 Neighbourhood Houses/Centres across Australia have signed up to receive tax deductible donations Although only 15 Neighbourhood Houses/Centres across Australia have successfully received tax deductible donations, donations to date total approximately $ Donations have been made to support flood relief efforts, assist with renovations, establish a community restaurant, assist with a community festival, provide scholarships for young people, support a photographic exhibition on ageing and a sandcastle sculpture competition.

Eligibility Criteria The criteria is the same for General Donations and Project Applications Applicants must * Be an organisation (as opposed to an individual) * Be a financial member of the relevant State Peak Body * Be a legal entity (ie an incorporated body

Eligibility Criteria If the organisation is a network or peak body rather than a Neighbourhood House or Centre in its own right, it must apply funds to furthering or supporting the work of Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Not have DGR status.

All applications must be in keeping with the purposes of ANHCA

Support the activity and work of the Neighbourhood House and Centre sector in Australia. Enhance the quality, skills and knowledge of the Neighbourhood House and Centre sector in Australia Contribute to national policy and issues of common interest to the Neighbourhood House and Centre sector in Australia Promote and strengthen the national identity of the Neighbourhood House and Centre sector in Australia ANHCA’s Purposes

Check eligibility Identify what you would like to seek donations for Complete the application form for General Donations Submit the form and the other required documents to Public Fund Your application will be checked against the eligibility criteria and you will be notified of the outcome Once you have been accepted to receive general donations you will be able to promote your cause Process to apply for General Donations

An example of how donations have been used Kensington Neighbourhood House (VIC) received donations from the Bendigo Bank and members of the community. On their 40 th birthday, they launched a fundraising appeal to fund: The set-up of a sound proof room divider The refurbishment of the upstairs kitchen The printing costs associated with a soon-to-be released cookbook. "We previously hadn't done a lot of fundraising because we did not have DGR status. Now that we have access to DGR status through the ANHCA Public Fund for DGR it is more attractive for people to donate to us," says Centre Manager Carolyn Webster.

Another example of how General Donations are used San Remo Neighbourhood House (NSW) received a tax deductible donation from one of the Centre volunteers to establish a community restaurant. The community restaurant provides meals to members of the community who are financially disadvantaged, have mental health issues and/or an intellectual or physical disability.

Without the ANHCA Public Fund for DGR, San Remo Neighbourhood Centre wouldn’t have been able to establish our much needed community restaurant,” says Centre Manager Jillian. Re the 5% admin fee ANHCA takes to process applications: “We were able to receive a $1,900 donation. The $100 that went to ANHCA Public Fund for DGR (5%) was not money we ‘lost’ – it was money that we never had anyway.”

How are donations made and disbursed? When someone makes a donation they send in a donor form provided to approved Houses and Centres when they are approved to receive General Donations. Because the donation is a “gift” it is given with no strings attached therefore, the disbursement of donations goes through the ANHCA Public Fund Committee for approval, as they have the right to assign the funds. To date all donated funds have gone to the organisation nominated by the donor. Once approved funds are transferred to the House or Centre less 5%

The difference between gifts and sponsorships

Applying for Project Funding using the DGR Status of the ANHCA Public Fund

Project Funding Houses and Centres can submit applications through the Public Fund without being registered for General Donations Each time a House/ Centre applies for a project it must come through the Public Fund for approval

Planning Consider your organisations strategic plan Develop a broad outline of your proposal Collaboration: are there others you can partner with What needs to be done to broker partnerships

Identifying Research different philanthropists to identify who has funded or gives priority to your target group Read examples of past projects they have funded

Contact Contact us to discuss your proposal Contact the philanthropic to discuss your proposal and to let them know you are submitting through the ANHCA Public Fund for DGR

Writing your application Keep it simple and succinct Don’t use jargon and acronyms Ask someone else that knows nothing about the application to read it through and tell you what you aim to do Get your application into the Public Fund with plenty of time for it to be considered ( 2 weeks before closing date of funding application)

Project Budget Be realistic with your budget and what you can achieve Cost in kind contribution to income Make sure you contra this in expenses In kind can include things like Project management Administration support Printing and promotion Office space and amenities Room hire Catering As well as volunteer time

An overview of applications for Projects Organisations can apply for funding requiring DGR status, through the ANHCA Public Fund for DGR Eligibility and documentation requirements are similar to General Donations Application will be checked against criteria and submitted to the ANHCA Public Fund Committee for approval Once approved organisations are notified, they submit the funding application to the grant maker If the application is successful the grant is paid through the Public Fund and then to the House/ Centre less 5%*

56 projects have been submitted to philanthropic trusts and foundations through the ANHCA Public Fund for DGR 15 projects received funding A total of $ has been received in grant funding Applications and outcomes of project funding

Grants have enabled Neighbourhood Houses/Centres to establish a community garden program set up a job skills training program strengthen and maintain a homework program for children of refugee background support the strategic development of a food bank support community engagement programs

How easy is it to use the Public Fund to obtain Project Funding? Julie George Executive Officer Bellarine Living and Learning Centre Victoria

Where can you find information on grant opportunities? Google Search Join Philanthropy Australia as a subscriber. For $99 you will receive a Directory of Funders and other resources Subscribe to the Our Community Easy Grants Newsletter Enquire with your bank regarding Charitable Foundations

Further information application forms, information sheets and resources v isit the ANHCA website public-fund-for-dgr

Thank you for joining us, a link to the recording of todays session, the PowerPoint and the answers to any other questions will be ed to you. Thank you to Fulvia from CCSA for her technical expertise and to Julie for sharing her knowledge and experience.