Local Grants Program – Round two applications now open!

Applications for the second round of the Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund Local Grants Program are now being accepted.

Applications close at 5.00pm(EST) on Friday 5 September, 2008.

Successful applicants will be announced on Friday 17 October, 2008.

Who can apply?

To be eligible to apply, your organisation needs to:

• Support the health and wellbeing of Australian children.
• Identify realistic, measurable and achievable project goals and outcomes.
• Be endorsed by the Australian Tax Office with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status.

Please note that the ABN/ACN supplied on all applications will be checked by the Fund to ensure DGR status is correct.

How to apply

Organisations can apply for a Local Grant by self-nominating or being nominated by a Commonwealth Bank staff member.

Only applications lodged via the online application form by the published closing date and time will be eligible for assessment.

Application questions

To help you prepare your application the following is a list of questions that are asked:

• State the title of the nominated organisation’s proposed community activity/initiative. (10 words or less)
• In which state will the project be undertaken?
• Provide a summary of the proposed community activity/initiative. (200 words or less)
• Outline the details of the timeline for implementation of the community program. The program must be implemented within a one year period. (50 words or less for each entry)
• What is the amount of funding sought? (maximum $10,000)
• Is this a new program?
• If not, how long has the program been running? (20 words)
• Describe the children or youth who will benefit from this program. (200 words or less) Include demographic details of beneficiaries of the program such as age group, socio-economic background.
• How many children or youth will the program positively impact over the course of a year? (20 words)
• What are the immediate community benefits at the completion of the project? (200 words or less - Answer in point form)
  What are the long term community benefits as a result of this project? (200 words or less - Answer in point form)
• Describe how the proposed program will be measured and/or evaluated to determine whether it has been successful in achieving the proposed outcomes? (200 words or less)

1. Online application form

2. Conditions of  entry

3. Tips for a successful submission:

1. Take time to think about the actual cost of the project rather than applying for the maximum amount
2. Adhere to word limits and write in point form if you can
3. Print out the summary of your application before submitting it so you have a copy for your records
4. Be specific when you describe the demographic details of the children or youth who will benefit from the program
5. Before submitting your application check that your ABN/ACN has DGR status at the following website www.abr.gov.au
6. Before applying look at the judging matrix to assist with your submission

4. The judging process:

1. State-based committees made up of Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund members judge each application against the judging matrix.
2. Each State Committee has staff representatives from regional and metropolitan areas, and they have a specific amount of funds to distribute.
3. The Committee looks at the aims of the program, the number of children or youth that benefit from the program, and the short and long term community benefits of the project.