Below are some of our most frequently asked questions. You can also watch our information videos for more on our grants, including how to write a strong application, and what happens if you’re successful.
What if my plans change?
If your plans (timing/activities/budget) change from what you said in your application, you must contact us to seek approval. We will then assess your new plans against the original criteria and if approved, you will be given a Variation to your Funding Agreement. If you spend the grant differently than your application/Funding Agreement without approval, Council will ask for all grant monies to be returned.
What does it mean to be incorporated?
When your group is incorporated, it means it has its own legal identity, separate from its members. Activities occur in the group’s name, rather than in the names of individual members.
As an example, if an unincorporated group needs to rent a property or arrange insurance, an individual member would need to sign under their name, placing them at personal financial risk.
An incorporated group can instead do this under the group name, which shares and reduces the risk to individual members.
Your community group may not want to become incorporated, particularly if you only ever handle small amounts of money, and have no need to enter into legal agreements.
For more information on incorporation, refer to the following helpful guides:
Justice Connect: Not-for-profit-Law website: How to decide whether your group should incorporate
Consumer Affairs: Victoria’s guide for clubs and community groups: Should your club incorporate?
What is auspicing?
You can approach a larger organisation to partner with your community group/ organisation to fund a grant. This is helpful if you are otherwise ineligible for the grant (for example if your group is not incorporated.)
The ‘auspice organisation’ takes responsibility (legal and financial) of the grant on your group’s behalf. They will sign your grant agreement, receive and distribute grant funds under the grant agreement, ensure activities or events are completed, and submit end of funding reports on your behalf. Your group/organisation will still be known as the ‘grant recipient’.
If you choose to apply for a grant as part of an auspice agreement, you need to provide all their details in your application, and evidence that you have an agreement with them.
The auspice organisation you choose must be incorporated and have an ABN.
Does my group need an ABN?
When your group has a turnover of more than $75,000 a year, you may need to have an ABN as you may need to collect and pay GST. It’s a good idea for any incorporated group to register for an ABN. You can read more at the ATO website.
What if my group doesn’t have an ABN?
If your organisation doesn’t have an ABN, you must complete a Statement by Supplier Form and lodge it together with your application.
The form is available on the Australian Taxation Office’s ATO website.
Why do we need public liability insurance?
Public Liability Insurance (PLI) may be costly, but the risks of not having PLI could cost your group much more.
PLI protects your group against the liability to pay damages for a bodily injury, death, or for property damage that occurs as a result of an activity you run. It also covers the legal costs you would face if you had to defend a claim.
We only fund groups who manage the risk by having PLI because of the potential costs your group could face if something went wrong and you didn’t have PLI.
Why doesn’t Council’s Public Liability Insurance cover us?
We have our own PLI policy, which covers specific activities and locations. The Community Grants program funds community-led events and activities and therefore is not covered by Council’s PLI.
Can you organise our Public Liability Insurance for us?
No, each group is unique and needs to have it’s own PLI.
We don’t have Public Liability Insurance yet, can we still apply?
To help new groups apply for grants, you are able to apply for our Quick Response and Operational Grant before you have PLI but you will need to get coverage as soon as possible if you are funded.
We’re happy to help if you need a list of possible Insurance providers. Contact our Community Grants Officer on 9205 2749.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
PLI doesn’t cover everything you may expect it to. You may need separate insurance when required, such as volunteers insurance or building and contents insurance as well as PLI.
What is 'In Kind'?
In Kind means any contribution you (or others) make for free, that you would otherwise have to pay for. e.g. volunteer hours, free venues, free advertising etc. Including your In Kind amount in your budget shows us the full scale of your activity, and how much you’re contributing.
We are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander group/Corporation, can we apply?
Yes. We encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Do you have a question we haven’t covered? Contact the Community Grants Officer on 9205 2749 or communitygrants@hume.vic.gov.au.