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Community Service Organisation (CSO) Funding

Before you apply, please read through the information below. It will give you the best chance of your application being successful.

Important information

  • Name: 2024-2027 Community Service Organisation (CSO) Funding
  • Round Opens: Monday 18 March 2024
  • Round Closes: Friday 26 April 2024 at 5:00 pm 
  • Amount: $5,000 - $40,000 per year for 3 years.
  • Previously successful recipients

Online information session

  • Tuesday 19 March 2024  
  • 3.00 pm – 4.00 pm  
  • Register your place to receive the MS Teams link.

Apply online

The form can be previewed until applications open on Monday 18 March 2024.

Access the application form

Introduction

The City of Casey is working towards creating a more connected, bold and resilient community and The Council Plan outlines Council’s strategic objectives to guide this work across many areas including the environment, infrastructure, the local economy, services, and community.

The City of Casey recognises the significant contribution that Community Service Organisations (CSOs) make to the municipality and is committed to building the capacity of CSOs to deliver vital services for Casey’s diverse communities.

Council defines CSOs as not-for-profit organisations that invest in Casey’s communities through the provision of vital services. These services support residents, meet essential needs, strengthen capacity and build healthy and strong communities.

Several strategies outlined in The Council Plan relate to the work of CSOs in providing services and facilities that are driven by community needs, foster community connection and are inclusive and safe for all Casey community members. 

Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy also provides direction on the priority health and wellbeing focus areas to maintain and improve public health and wellbeing at a local level and address the complex challenges and causes that lead to poor health outcomes.

What is the Community Service Organisation (CSO) Funding Program?

The City of Casey’s CSO Funding program provides eligible organisations with funding for the delivery of services and support programs that significantly benefit Casey residents, including associated operational and administrative costs. 

The program aims to provide a strategic and transparent approach to funding CSOs, in line with Council objectives and identified community need.  Financial support is provided over a three-year period according to specific priority areas and desired outcomes.

Funding is available to CSOs currently providing services to Casey residents and CSOs that wish to commence providing services to Casey residents (through a primary location or outreach/satellite site in Casey, or from a surrounding municipality).

This triennial funding program provides organisations with the financial certainty they need to improve their capacity to plan and deliver ongoing programs that meet the needs of Casey’s growing community.

 The program is competitive. Following the completion of the 2024-2027 program, the next CSO Funding round will open in 2027.

Purpose of this grant

The purpose of the CSO Funding program is to:

  • enhance the health, wellbeing, safety, security and connectedness of residents through the provision of high-quality sustainable services and programs
  • build the capacity of CSOs to plan and deliver vital services for diverse communities
  • provide support to CSOs to respond to Casey’s population growth, changing demographics and emerging community needs
  • strengthen partnerships between Council and CSOs to inform facility and services planning and development
  • support a range of priority programs and services across the municipality.

Who can apply

To be eligible for this grant, organisations must:

  • be committed to providing direct services to residents of the City of Casey
  • be an established not-for-profit community service or charitable organisation (auspices are not accepted for this funding)
  • be a legally constituted entity (eg. a cooperative, incorporated association, company or trust)
  • have a Committee or Board of Management that accepts responsibility for the administration of the funding and acquittal.
  • hold current public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance to cover staff, volunteers, members, and the general public, as appropriate (minimum $20,000,000)
  • practice equal opportunity and non-discrimination
  • be financially viable.

What we can fund

Activity costs and operational/administrative expenses related to the program or service can be funded.

What we cannot fund

  • Applications from individuals and private profit-making organisations. 
  • Applications from organisations that have previously been funded by Council but have not satisfactorily acquitted the grant. 
  • Programs and services that Council considers are the responsibility of another authority or tier of government, such as requests from primary and secondary schools, higher education institutions, and local, state or federal government entities.   
  • Programs that are provided for the sole purpose of promoting a religious or political belief. 
  • One-off activities, programs, and events (these may be eligible for Council’s Community Grants program). 
  • Capital works projects, including those that are covered by Council’s Minor Capital Works Investment Program. An item is considered capital if it is permanently fixed to the ground or building and/or increases the value of the facility. 
  • Programs that already receive funding from Council. 
  • Conferences and academic studies. 
  • Specific ineligible expenses including donations, travel and fundraising. 

Funding priorities

Applications should align with and demonstrate outcomes in one of the following domains.

Wellbeing

Priority Programs/Services 

  • Culturally appropriate, gender diverse and LGBTIQA+ inclusive health, wellbeing, and social support services
  • Programs and services that support secure and dignified access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally appropriate food
  • Support services for people with a disability, their families, and carers  
  • Enhanced services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents  
  • Integrated services for the community particularly women, older people, families, and children 0-11 years   
  •  Emergency relief & crisis prevention and support  
  • Support for the preparedness and resilience to climate related health impacts in priority populations***
  • Harm reduction programs, including gambling, alcohol, drugs and/or tobacco/vaping.  
  • Co-designed and inclusive physical activity and active living programs 
  • Services which respond to the needs of older people including meals services, volunteer and community transport, dementia specific services, end of life planning or carer support.

Expected outcomes

  • Casey residents have good physical health.
  • Casey residents have good mental health. 
  • Casey residents protect and promote their health. 
     
Safety and Security

Priority Programs/Services

  • Culturally appropriate family violence-related support services and behaviour change programs
  • Elder abuse prevention and support services  
  • Dispute resolution services
  • Gender equality and respectful relationships programs
  • Community safety awareness programs
  • Financial counselling and financial literacy programs
  • Legal information and education services
  • Homelessness, housing, and information services

Expected outcomes

  • Casey residents live free from abuse and violence.  
  • Casey residents can safely identify with their culture and identity.  
  • Casey residents have financial security.   
  • Casey residents have suitable and stable housing.
     
Connectedness

Priority Programs/Services 

  • Services that meet gaps and unmet demand in Casey’s growth* areas and coastal communities**
  • Digital literacy programs utilising accessible technologies and formats
  • Employment, local job creation, job readiness and volunteering programs  
  • Programs to engage new residents in community life.  
  • Programs that promote the social inclusion and community participation of priority populations***
  • Services for residents without access to transport  
  • Capacity building and empowerment programs for young people  
     

Expected outcomes

  • Casey residents participate in learning, education and contribute to the economy
  • Casey residents are socially engaged and live in inclusive communities.

Notes

*** Priority populations include but are not limited to:  

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, intersex and/or other gender diverse) people , people living with chronic health conditions (including mental health conditions), multicultural people (including refugees and asylum seekers, people living with disability, people in low socioeconomic groups and areas. There is also a strong emphasis on programs that relate to older people (aged 55 and over) and children and young people (aged 10 to 25)

* Growth areas include Berwick South, Botanic Ridge, Cranbourne East, Cranbourne South, Cranbourne North, Cranbourne West, Clyde, Clyde North 

** Coastal communities include the suburbs of Blind Bight, Cannons Creek, Tooradin and Warneet.

How we decide on successful grants

Your application will be assessed on how well it meets the following criteria, noting that consideration may also be given to the total funding available and the distribution of funding across the municipality and priority areas.

1. Clear purpose and objectives that align with Council’s funding priorities

What we're looking for:

  • Evidence of organisational purpose, core services and programs that are community focused.
  • The aims and objectives of the proposed service or program are clearly identified.
  • The service or program and intended target group aligns with the funding priorities of the CSO Funding Program. 
2. Evidence of need in the community and for the organisation

What we're looking for:

  • The applicant has evidence of a strong community need for the service or program.
  • The service or program will improve the overall quality of service provided by the applicant and/or enable the applicant to broaden or deepen their role in the community.
  • The service or program cannot be funded elsewhere or Council funding is required for the program to proceed. 
3. Direct benefit to the Casey community

What we're looking for:

  • The service or program is accessible and delivers clear, measurable outcomes or benefits to the target group.
  • There is potential for the service or program to have lasting community impact.
  • There is participation and support from Casey residents, other local community groups and partner organisations.
4. Capacity of the organisation to manage the funding and deliver the service or program

What we're looking for:

  • The applicant has the organisational structure, management skills and financial capability to achieve the outcomes listed in their application.
  • The organisation has successful delivered services and programs in the past.
  • The organisation has an effective plan to implement and manage the service or program over the three-year period.
  • The budget is detailed and realistic.  

If your application is successful:

  • We will notify you by email in June 2024. 
  • You will be provided with a Funding and Service Agreement which will outline expectations and conditions for the three years of funding.
  • You will be required to adhere to the conditions as outlined in the City of Casey’s Grants Policy
  • You can expect to receive the grant in August 2024, once Funding and Service Agreements have been signed and other necessary documents provided.  

What are the conditions of funding?

  • Successful applicants will be required to enter a Funding and Service Agreement with the City of Casey, which lists funding conditions.  This must be signed, and appropriate documentation provided before funds are issued. A three-year funding agreement will be offered to organisations, subject to the decision of Council. 
     
  • Successful applicants will be required to provide a written evaluation report after the first year of funding (or as otherwise specified in the funding agreement) as part of the decision-making process for continuing the funding for a second year.  Council will provide the evaluation report template to all organisations, and Council officers will review the completed reports
     
  • Successful applicants will be expected to attend  networking meetings convened by Council officers twice a year to discuss community needs, trends and partnership opportunities associated with funded programs and services. 
     
  • Successful applicants may be approached by Council to assist in the area for which they are funded in the event of an emergency in Casey. The nature of this assistance would be discussed during the development of the Funding and Service Agreement. 
     
  • Organisations with outstanding payments due to Council will need to clear the debt before they can receive their funding each year.
     
  • Organisations will need to satisfy acquittal requirements for previous Council grants and funding before funds will be released.
     
  • Council reserves the right to withdraw the offer of  funding if eligibility or funding conditions are breached; or if the funded service or program is unable to meet its objectives or agreed outcomes.  

Tell us how your grant was used

An acquittal report will be required at the end of each year of funding. Successful applicants may also be required to provide a statement of expenditure or an audited statement at completion of the three-year funding period. If Council’s grant funds are not spent, all remaining funds must be returned to Council.

If your application is unsuccessful

An email will be sent to unsuccessful organisations explaining why the application was not successful.  You can expect to hear from us in June 2024.

Timeline

Date
Event
Monday 18 March 2024 Applications open on SmartyGrants  
Tuesday 19 March 2024

CSO Funding Online Information session 

  • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
  • Register to receive a meeting link  
     
Friday 26 April 2024 Applications close.  There is no access to the online applications after 5.00 pm.  An automated acknowledgement email is sent to the applicant as soon as the application is submitted.
MayApplications are processed to determine eligibility.
May - June 2024Applications are assessed against the assessment criteria by the CSO Funding Assessment Panel.
June 2024Applicants are notified of the outcome of their application.
July/August 2024Funding and Service Agreements signed, and funding is distributed.

Useful information

In preparing a funding application, it may be helpful to learn more about Council’s Plan and Health and Wellbeing Strategy, as well as Casey’s Community Profile. The following links are provided for your reference:  

Contact us

The following Council officers are available to discuss your proposed application prior to submission:

  • Head of Community Activation, Rosanne Cregan 
  • Team Leader Grants, Kristin Sweeney
  • Senior Grants Officer, Chris Micah

Organisations should also consider consulting with other relevant Council officers for advice and support about the service or program. 

For questions about how to apply, the funding criteria and general enquiries, please contact Council’s Grants Team on 9705 5200 or email [email protected]

Applications must include additional information as specified. Supporting documents and attachments must be in electronic format and submitted as part of the online application process.  The application must be submitted by the due date.  No paper applications will be accepted. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.  

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