Grants Program

 

·        Tier 1: Flagship Program

·        Tier 2: Major Projects

·        Tier 3: General Grants Program

 

The Foundation seeks out applications for Tiers 1 and 2 by invited tender. 

Applications for Tier 3 grants may be made at any time through initial enquiry to the Foundation's Executive Officer. 

 

The Foundation will fund a "flagship" grant where a commitment will be made to a particular project. For the period from 2002 to at least 2013, the Foundation has determined to make a commitment of at least $30 million to address the needs of youth mental health by supporting ORYGEN Research Centre.

 

The Foundation will commit to supporting major projects each for at least a five-year period with grants in the order of $5 million per project. Examples of these grants are the Drugs Policy Modelling Program and the Gateway Program.

 

The Foundation's General Grants Program has been established to make individual grants up to $200,000 per annum for each project. However, submissions for larger grants will be considered. General grants may be awarded in areas other than the priority area of assisting young people to achieve their potential. However submissions in this priority area may be given preference. Examples of projects supported under the General Grants Program are:

·        funding of $100,000 per annum for six years to Oxford Houses for a drug and alcohol recovery and support service

·        grants of $250,000 per annum to Indigenous Enterprise Partnerships for Aboriginal capacity building, and

·        a six year program of support at $150,000 per annum for the mapping of the lymphatic system conducted at The Royal Melbourne

         Hospital and The University of Melbourne. 

 

Colonial Foundation proposes to establish a Fellowship Program under this category of General Grants. Depending on suitable applicants, the Foundation intends to award on average one Fellowship each year and each Fellowship will be supported for a five-year period with a review after the completion of the third year. The Fellowships will be funded up to a maximum of $200,000 per annum and will be designed to attract mid-career researchers in any field. The level of funding will be set to allow sufficient funding for the salary of the researcher in keeping with NHMRC guidelines along with research support or as a contribution towards the cost of any equipment needed. Applications for the Fellowships will be sought in August each year and, following a positive assessment, one Fellowship will be awarded to commence in the following January   The Fellowships will only be awarded to researchers attached to an approved research institute or to a University who are undertaking research with a strong policy relevance to the aims of the Foundation.

 

 

In assessing potential projects for funding of the Foundation will take into account:

 

·                     the potential significance of the area being addressed and the likelihood of broad community benefit

·                     the gravity of a problem and the scale of potential benefits from successful outcomes of the project (leverage, or multiplier

                      effect), including the ability to attract additional resources from the public or private sector

·                     sharing of improved knowledge so that others may benefit

·                     sustainability of the improvements or advances sought

·                     the opportunity to build the capacity of the organisation(s) operating the particular program

·                     an opportunity for a significant role for the Foundation in the project in partnership with a well qualified specialist

                      organization

 

 

Longer-term projects: The Foundation recognises that many projects need to be for a substantial term if they are to succeed. The Foundation encourages longer-term (three to five years) partnerships.

 

Prevention: Programs which attempt to identify and deal with the cause of a problem are favoured over those that treat after-effects.

 

Community Resources: Projects that have a community flow-on effect, by calling on qualified volunteers, or making use of community resources, allowing people to contribute to their community are preferred.

 

Skill base: The Foundation favours working with not-for-profit organisations or individuals with the skills, track record and commitment to accomplish the work proposed.

 

Feasibility: Programs or projects that are perceived to be of benefit to the community and that can translate into, and have a reasonable likelihood of encouraging, changes in policy or practice are encouraged.

 

Geography: Given the scarce amount of funding available, Foundation funds are usually directed to projects within Australia.

 

 

In general, the Colonial Foundation will not support:

·                     areas considered to be the direct responsibility of government

·                     general fund raising projects or appeals. 

·                     overseas travel, study or conferences (unless incidental to a project being funded)

·                     direct funding to individuals

·                     other foundations, trusts and philanthropic organizations to fund their general objectives

·                     intermediate fund raising agencies

·                     mainstream school-based educational work

·                     funding deficits

·                     capital equipment, works or building appeals (unless part of a specific project being funded by the Foundation)