Fund the normal operations of the group as it delivers the Scout Program:
• including leader training, registration and insurance, power and water, hall cleaning and minor maintenance, buying materials and camping equipment
• assist members and leaders with the cost of attending major events such as Kangarees, Cuborees, Jamborees, Gatherings and Moots
• fund major maintenance or upgrade of their hall.
It is unlikely that your normal fundraising activities will be sufficient to cover the cost of a major maintenance project and they all cost anything from $15,000 to over $300,000.
· Local Councils, State and Federal governments – are the major source of grant funds for Scouts Victoria.
There are four major sources of information about grants:
· Local newspapers
· Local Government Newsletters
· Scouts Victoria “Be Informed”
· Scouts Victoria Fundraising Coordinator within the Marketing and Communications Department at VSC
· Have a project.
Ø Submit a P2 form with the support documentation to:
§ the Property department property@ scoutsvictoria.com.au
· Government grant programs can come with an obligation to match the grant funds, for example on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
· Talk to your District Team about what you are proposing. Every building project requires District and Region support before being considered by the Group Facilities Support Subcommittee of the BEC, and no project can proceed without GFSS approval.
· Talk to the Fundraising Coordinator at VSC to find out:
• what government grants are open for applications
• what are coming up
• what the main criteria are
• opening and closing dates
· As you get closer to applying for a grant discuss it in detail with the Fundraising Coordinator.
• This is essential to avoid confusion at government level, as senior VSC personnel are in frequent communication with governments about support for Scouting.
· Scan council newsletters and local papers to see if there are any local grants advertised for which your project may be eligible.
State and Federal Government grants are paid to:
• incorporated bodies or to groups auspiced by incorporated bodies.
• Your group is not an incorporated body, but is an integral part of Scouts Victoria, which is.
•
The Fundraising Coordinator
will advise you on how to word your application with the correct details
• Monies will be paid directly to VSC to provide financial:
Ø oversight per government grant guidelines
Ø reports back to the grant body
• Local Government grants are often paid directly to your group
In every case there will be an obligation to account to the granting government for the spending of the funds. For State and Federal grants this acquittal of funds will normally be done by the Finance Department at VSC. If
you get a local government grant directly you will need to determine what acquittal process your local government requires and ensure that you keep the necessary records.
The Group facilities Support Subcommittee has a small budget for grants and loans to:
• assist groups in funding refurbishment projects.
• Your group will be required to enter into a formal agreement with Scouts Victoria before any loan funds are made available.
• In some cases, the subcommittee may agree to complement the loan with a small grant.
Funding assistance will generally only be made available if the group makes a significant contribution to the cost of the project and accepting a Scouts Victoria loan is one way of making that contribution and spreading the cost over several years. Note also that grants from external bodies – e.g., local or state government – count as part of your group contribution to the project.