Landcare Australia Community Grants Program 2024

Landcare Australia Community Grants applications have now closed. 

Thank you for your interest in the 2024 Landcare Australia Community Grants.  The program has now closed for applications. Our Grants Team are now working with the assessment panel to review all eligible applications.

This grant program aims to support and celebrate the many groups that have and continue to make a significant contribution to caring for our environment across Australia.

Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 18th October.

Landcare Australia would like to thank everyone who applied. We look forward to sharing the news of successful recipients shortly.

Have you subscribed to our monthly Landlink or do you follow us on social media? Make sure you keep up to date with all our Grant news here.

 

As part of Landcare Australia’s celebration of 35 years of Landcare Australia and landcare as a national movement, the 2024 Landcare Australia Community Grants program will support local landcare and community environmental groups across Australia to deliver projects that address priority issues for the group, community and/or the environment.

The Landcare Australia Community Grants program is open to all landcare and community groups across Australia that embrace the landcare ethos, including Landcare, Bushcare, Dunecare, Coastcare and “Friends of” groups Traditional Owners and First Nations organisations, youth environmental groups and networks (ages 18+).

This grant program aims to support and celebrate the many groups that have and continue to make a significant contribution to caring for our environment across Australia. Applications are open to projects that address priority issues, and may include educational workshops, restoring essential wildlife habitat, shelterbelts and fences, protecting our waterways, managing weeds and feral animals, working with Traditional Owners and First Nations organisations, hosting local community workshops, or purchasing plants and equipment, creating signage, amongst other landcare activities.

 

Project Funding Available

A total funding pool of $300,000 ex GST is available, made possible by the generous contributions to Landcare Australia’s fundraising activities.

Grant applications for a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $20,000 (excluding GST) are available.


Helpful hints for applying for a Landcare Australia Community Grant

The Landcare Australia grants team have put together some top tips to help make your application process a breeze!   Feel free to download, print or share with anyone who is interested in applying for a grant. Download Top tips for applying for a Landcare Australia Community Grant.

Enquiries

If you have any questions after reading these guidelines, please call 1800 151 105, or email: [email protected].

 

Key Dates

Applications open: Landcare Week Monday 5 August 2024
Applications close: Friday 20th September 2024
Successful applicants notified: By Friday 18th October 2024
Final report due and projects complete: Wednesday 31st July 2025


Click here to download the Guidelines and Criteria for Landcare Australia Community Grants program 2024

Eligibility

To be eligible organisations must:

  • be an incorporated association.
  • have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
  • have an account with an Australian financial institution.
  • hold a current Personal Accident and Public Liability Insurance Certificate of Currency

Eligible Activities

Funding is available for activities that build capacity or further the objectives of your landcare or community group. This may include:

  • Weed and pest animal management and noxious weed control
  • Site maintenance and rubbish removal
  • Habitat creation and revegetation plantings
  • Cultural and ecological burns
  • Managing fuel load
  • Approved capital works (e.g. fencing, soil moving, path improvements)
  • Community events and activities
  • Signage
  • Volunteer recruitment activities
  • Project management will be funded as part of your grant, however it is recommended that it does not to exceed 10% of the total project budget

What We Do Not Fund

  • Computers, laptops, and smartphones.
  • Airfares, interstate, or overseas travel.
  • Project costs and activities that are funded through another grant or fund source.
  • Alcohol
  • Retrospective funding of activities or project costs that have been completed before the funding agreement for this grant was signed.
  • Purchase of goods for competitions, prizes, giveaways, or vouchers, donations. The above lists are not exhaustive. If unsure phone Landcare Australia on 1800 151 105.

Ineligible Organisations

The following organisations are ineligible to apply for the The Landcare Australia Community Grants 2024 however can participate as co-contributors for applications:

  • Commonwealth statutory authorities;
  • State, Territory or Local Governments;
  • Government or regional NRM organisations;
  • Not-for-profit organisations operating at a state or national level;
  • Universities;
  • Individual landholders;
  • Schools and pre-schools;
  • Youth groups under age 18 including scouts and girl guides.

Assessment Criteria

Landcare Australia will consider applications based on the following criteria:


Essential Criteria
Explanation
The project activities build capacity or further the objectives of your landcare group
  • The project clearly describes how the funding will support activities that build capacity or further the objectives of your group
The project objective, activities, outcomes and timelines are clearly defined.
  • Project goals are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely).
  • It is clear who will undertake the work, what will be undertaken, and where it will be done.
  • Project benefits are likely to be achieved in the time and budget available.
The project is well developed, appropriately supported and resourced.
  • The project and activities are feasible with a sound technical basis and a strong probability of success.
  • There is adequate technical expertise to support the project.
  • The project engages with and benefits the wider community.
Environmental and community/ social outcomes
  • The project clearly benefits and demonstrates positive outcomes for the local community and environment

Other conditions:

  • Projects can be conducted on public or private land.
  • Groups with project reports still outstanding from previous grants are ineligible for further funding, until all outstanding reporting requirements have been met.
  • Only one application per group will be considered.
  • Preference will be given to applicants who have not received funding in the last two years.
  • Photos of your volunteers engaging in on-ground works or activities that showcase your group’s ability to deliver the project are required as part of your submission.
  • Generally, higher scoring projects will be funded. The projects that are funded may also take into consideration the overall mix of project types and geographic locations.

Reporting Requirements

As a condition of receiving the grant you will be required to complete a final report. The report template includes a measure of improvement described in the original application, other results, photos, and grant expenditure.

Reporting is undertaken online, and Landcare Australia will send you the link shortly after you have received your grant.

Final report due: 31 July 2025

 

Funding Conditions

You will be required to invoice Landcare Australia as per the payment schedule in your letter of offer (if successful).

Successful applications for funding between $5,000 and $10,000 will receive full payment on return of the letter of offer.

Applications for funding between $10,000 and $20,000 will receive an 80% payment on return of the letter of offer and final 20% payment on completion of the final report.

How to Apply

Groups can apply for the Landcare Australia Community Grants on the Landcare Australia Grant Portal until 5pm (EST) Friday 20th September 2024.

Your application

  1. Follow the link https://landcareaustralia.smartygrants.com.au/LACG24. You can view and download the application form before you start your application.
  2. You must log in or register with SmartyGrants to be able to complete the application.
  3. If you wish to save a partially completed application, press ‘Save and close’ and log out. You can log back in and continue to edit your application until you are ready to submit.
  4. To submit your application, click the ‘Review and Submit’ button at the bottom of the Navigation Panel. You need to review your application before you can submit it. Once you have submitted your application the application’s status will change to ‘Form completed’, and no further editing of the application or uploading of support materials will be possible.
  5. You will receive a confirmation email from SmartyGrants to the email address used to log in when your application has been successfully submitted. Please ensure you check your spam/junk mail folder if you do not receive the confirmation email.

For questions about online submissions, please refer to the FAQs below, or email [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my group need an ABN to receive a grant?

Yes, however if your group does not have an ABN you can arrange for an affiliated group with an ABN (e.g. local council) to receive the grant funds on your behalf.

Does the grant include GST?

Yes, however not all groups are eligible to receive GST. Check whether your group is eligible to receive GST here.

Independent advice should be sought if you are unsure. Please ensure your budget does not exceed the total grant funding stipulated in the guidelines. Funds will be transferred to the applicant’s nominated bank account if deemed successful.

What do I need to include in my budget?

For each item, include a short description and provide details of calculations used to arrive at the amount budgeted;

Inflated budgets will damage the credibility of the proposal.

Filling in your budget table:

In the ‘Activity/Item Description’ column, list the resources, funds and activities required to carry out the project;

‘Funding Requested’, enter the price of the items to be funded. Please note – total funding requested must not exceed the total amount of the grant (ex GST);

Where is the funding coming from?

The funding is available through Landcare Australia’s fundraising efforts.

Terms and Conditions

The funding for this grant will be administered by Landcare Australia. Before receiving funding, you will be required to agree to the standard terms and conditions.

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