Grants Program

In addition to providing funding to selected projects and initiatives within these priority areas, the Foundation has established a Grants Program to respond to applications for funds. It is this Grants Program to which these Guidelines for Grants apply.

Generally, individual grants of up to $100,000 in any one year, are envisaged by this Program. However, submissions for larger grants will be considered. For the 2007-08 year, the Foundation has fully committed its available funds for the Grants Program. New applications are not being accepted. Potential applicants should monitor the website (www.colonialfoundation.org.au) and, when grant making resumes, details about the next closing date for submissions will be shown.

Exclusions

In general, the Colonial Foundation will not support:

areas considered to be the direct responsibility of government
general fund raising projects or appeals
travel, study or conferences (unless incidental to a project being funded)
individuals
other foundations, trusts and philanthropic organizations to fund their general objectives
intermediate fund raising agencies
general maintenance or overhead expenses (unless a part of a specific project)
mainstream school-based educational work
funding deficits

The Foundation will not fund political activities and, for the time being has decided not to fund religious bodies for religious purposes.

Whilst not usually a priority for funding, capital works or building appeals may be considered.

As the Foundation has made substantial grants in certain areas, it wishes to channel its available funds in other directions. It is unlikely that further grants will be made in the short to medium term for laboratory based basic research, for programs addressing mental health issues, or for programs addressing the needs of young people with complex problems.

Other Relevant Factors

Longer-term projects

The Foundation recognises that many projects need to be for a substantial term if they are to succeed. Where support for the project is needed over a number of years, details of the amounts required and other likely sources of funding should be provided in the application.

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.

Community ownership and participation in projects or programs greatly increases effectiveness.

Skill base

The Foundation favours supporting not-for-profit organizations or individuals with the skills, track record and commitment to accomplish the work proposed.