Purpose of Grant

To support innovative responses to community needs either as a whole or target groups (children, youth, seniors, people with disability, culturally or linguistically diverse).

These grants are intended for one off/ad hoc/smaller scale projects or events, or to assist the delivery of projects/events for which opportunity has arisen.

Projects that align with the Shire of Northam Council Plan will be highly regarded.

General Conditions

• All quotes are required to be submitted at the time of application:
• Any quotes between $500 - $4999 require one written quote.
• Any quotes between $5000 - $10,000 require two written quotes.
• A maximum of 20% of the total funding received can be used for catering purposes.
• Where funding is granted for a public event, the Shire retains the right to withhold payment until Public Event Approval has been granted (where applicable). Successful funding applications do not grant automatic event approval.
• Only one grant can be applied for per project or event.
• Projects and events that receive grant funding under the Community Growth Grants are ineligible to receive funding for Bright Idea's Grants or funding under Council’s CP.70 Donations, Sponsorships & Allocations Policy.
• For grants awarded over $1,000, 90% of the funds can be claimed upfront. The remaining 10% of funds will be withheld until the grant acquittal is submitted.
• Decisions are final and will not be reconsidered.
• Canvasing of Council Members may result in your application being disqualified.
• Any unspent funds at the conclusion of the project or event are to be returned to the Shire.

Eligibility Criteria for Bright Idea Grants

Applicants must meet the following criteria to apply for any Shire grant:

• The organisation must be based and/or operate within the Shire of Northam.
• If an applicant is not based within the Shire, an application may be submitted, however it must be auspiced/administered by a local Incorporated not-for-profit community organisation.
• The project must be of benefit or be available to the whole community, and/or diverse/specific target groups across the community.
• A community group seeking to make upgrades to a community building must prove that they have a current lease or licence in place for at least a three-year tenure.
• Groups must demonstrate that they are an Incorporated, not-for-profit community group or
  sporting club. If a group is not Incorporated, an application may be submitted for a Bright Ideas Grant, however it can only be to the value of $500.00.

Not Eligible for Bright Idea Grants

The following are not eligible to receive funding:

• Retrospective, contingency or on-going operational costs, e.g. salaries, rent, insurance, admin costs.
• Businesses/profit making ventures.
• State and Federal Government agencies, including schools.
• Council Members or staff employed by the Shire of Northam (however, the Council Member or employee may be a part of the group who is applying).
• Activities that are unlawful or will cause an environmental hazard.
• Anything that will become the property of an individual.
• Purchase of alcohol, (or any alcohol associated licences), prizes, gifts or any activities with a fundraising outcome.
• Equipment not directly related to the project or event.
• Projects that are the core responsibility of government agencies.
• Projects with a political purpose.
• Faith based or activities for religious purposes (although welfare and community service activities of faith-based groups can be funded).
• Activities that duplicate an existing service in the Shire.
• Projects that have received another Shire grant for the same project/event in the same financial year.
• Applicants or auspice with outstanding debts or acquittals due to the Shire.

FAQ

How many times does this grant open per year?

 Applications can be submitted any time throughout the year, however, will be assessed in four rounds:

• 1^st February
• 1^st May
• 1^st August
• 1^st November

When are the successful applicants announced? Determinations will be made within 25 working days of the closure of the grant round.

What is the minimum and maximum amount of funding that can be applied for? There is no minimum amount that can be applied for. The Maximum amount is $2,000

How long do organisations have to carry out the project/event? Funds must be expended within 90 days of receiving the grant funding.

What if there is a change in scope of the project after the funding is awarded? You must put the scope changes in writing to the Chief Executive Officer and be granted approval before carrying out the work.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

In preparing your budget, you will need to consider any GST implications.  Please note: If you do not have an ABN, you will need to fill in a Statement by a Supplier form (reason for not quoting an Australian Business Number to an enterprise) form from the Australian Tax Office. If you do not do this, Council will be required to withhold 48.5% of the grant and remit to the ATO on your behalf.

It is important to remember that if you are successful in receiving a grant and you are registered for the GST, the additional 10% in the cheque will need to be forwarded through the BAS (Business Activity Statement) to the ATO (Australian Taxation Office). 

Assessment of Applications

Applications on the prescribed application form will initially be forwarded to the Community Development Officer where they will be assessed in accordance with Council Policy CP.32 Community Grants Policy. Approval for Bright Ideas Grants will be determined by Shire of Northam Executive Management.

Successful Applications

Successful applicants will be required to sign a grant agreement specifying the terms and conditions of the grant, before claiming the awarded funds. If at any stage, the applicant is unable to meet the terms and conditions of the funding agreement they should contact the Community Development Officer as soon as possible.

Successful applicants are to submit a compliant tax invoice to the Shire of Northam to claim their funding. For grants under $1,000.00 the full allocation can be claimed upfront. For grants $1,000.00 and above 90% of the allocated funding can be claimed upfront. The remaining 10% will be withheld until the project is complete and a financial acquittal and project evaluation has been submitted and approved.

Financial Acquittal & Evaluation

Successful applicants will be required to acquit the funding and submit a project evaluation upon completion of the project.

The following information is required for the financial acquittal and evaluation:

• Declaration by the Chairperson/President that funding was utilised in accordance with the grant agreement
• Financial statement (income & expenditure)
• Copies of invoices/evidence of expenditure
• Evaluation of the project against the expected outcomes which may include photographs and project summary, statistics, attendances or case studies.
• Evidence of public acknowledgement of Shire of Northam support
• Completed financial acquittal and project evaluation form

Any unspent funds are to be returned to Council by 30 June in the financial year of the grant unless alternative arrangements have been made.

Any withheld funds will be paid once the project is complete and the financial acquittal and evaluation form has been finalised.

If the applicant wishes to make changes to the expenditure, as outlined in the application, these changes need to be requested in writing and addressed to the CEO.