Grants Policy

Purpose and Intent

Grant funding is essential for supporting and strengthening local communities. Through ongoing, annual and multi-year grant programs, the City of Casey provides a range of funding opportunities that support residents, enable the community to respond to local needs, provide programs and services that benefit community members and deliver outcomes that align with Council’s strategic aims. 

This policy outlines Council’s commitments and responsibilities in providing grants to the community and provides guidelines for the consistent management of grant programs across Council. The policy supports community development, inclusion, best practice in grants administration and fair and transparent decision making. It also ensures that applicants are aware of conditions and responsibilities in relation to grant funding from Council.

Scope

The policy applies to grants to the community that are considered and approved by Council for specific agreed purposes. It covers Council officers, assessors and individuals, auspices, organisations or groups that are applicants or recipients of Council grant funding. It applies to all Council Departments involved in the promotion, assessment and management of grant programs where Council is providing a grant directly to an organisation, auspice organisation or individual. (Refer to Appendix 2 for Council grant programs within the scope of this policy).

Definitions

Policy

Objectives

In providing grant funding, Council aims to:

• Strengthen the Casey community through support of a diverse range of activities, services, and programs that are responsive to community needs.
• Create a thriving and active community that is healthy, safe, inclusive, connected and reflects the diversity of Casey.
• Build the capacity of local organisations and foster partnerships within the Casey community to support planned growth, collaboration and sustainability.

Management of grants programs

In line with good governance and best practice in grant administration, Council is committed to delivering grant programs that are:

• Ethical and accountable – grant processes are robust, governance is clear and strong, and appropriate policies and procedures are followed.
• Strategic and outcomes focused – programs respond to community needs, align with Council priorities and provide value for money.
• Inclusive and accessible – grant opportunities are widely promoted and barriers to participation are reduced.
• Customer focused and efficient – grant information is accessible, processes are streamlined and proportionate to funding amounts and risk.

Administration of grants programs

Application processes

Grant opportunities will be widely promoted across the municipality using a variety of promotional avenues. Councillors will be kept informed of grant opportunities and invited to share information within their wards.

Each grant program will have its own set of guidelines outlining the specific purpose, process and conditions of the program.

• Objectives of the program
• Application process
• Eligibility and assessment criteria
• Acquittal and reporting requirements
• Timelines
• Funding conditions

Council will use an online grants administration system to ensure a consistent and user-friendly customer experience. Support will be provided through information sessions or upon request.

Personal information collected during the grant process will be managed in accordance with Council’s Privacy Policy.

Unsolicited funding requests will be referred to relevant grant programs where available and must meet program criteria to be considered.

Assessment processes

Council officers will assess applications against eligibility and program criteria. Where appropriate, community members may be involved in assessment processes.

Conflicts of interest will be managed in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020 and Council procedures. Individuals with conflicts will not participate in assessment or decision making.

All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application and offered feedback. Complaints will be managed in accordance with Council’s Complaint Handling procedure.

Standard Conditions

The standard conditions applying to all Council grants are outlined in Appendix 1 and apply to all funding programs unless otherwise stated.

Responsibilities

Breaches

NA

Relevant Forms

Document History

Appendix 1

The following grant programs fall within the scope of the Grants Policy.

• Achievement Grants
• Ageing Positively Festival Grants
• Biodiversity Incentive Scheme Grants
• Business Grants
• Community Grants
• Community Service Organisation Funding
• Creative and Cultural Development Fund
• Environment Grants
• Equipment and Training Grants
• Event Funding
• Minor Capital Works Investment Program
• Quick Response Grants