As your local MP, I'm committed to our community. I want to do everything I can to make sure volunteer and community organisations are funded and supported. This is especially important during a cost of living crisis.
That's why every year, I donate part of my salary to support local community groups and their projects — and why I’m always excited to partner with the Commonwealth’s Department of Social Services to get their family and communities volunteer grants to the groups that need it most.
Expressions of interest have been extended to Monday 6 January 2025. You can complete your expression of interest at stephenbates.com.au/grants24.
Successful applicants will be informed by the Department on 26 February 2025 and invited to complete a GrantsConnect application before 12 March 2025.
I nominate projects to the Department for their consideration based on expressions of interest. Final decision on awarding grants sits with the Department.
You can read the full eligibility criteria and process on the Department’s website: communitygrants.gov.au/news/2024-25-volunteer-round
What I’ll be looking for to shortlist
To make sure these grants go to the groups who need it most, I’ll be looking for these in applications:
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How your project delivers positive outcomes for residents of the Division of Brisbane. These outcomes might be social, environmental, economic or community benefits.
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Your organisation’s annual income is under $200,000.
Eligibility criteria
The Department has set much stricter eligibility criteria this year than in previous years. Many projects that previously would have been funded are no longer eligible. I’ve tried to summarise the changes but please read the full eligibility criteria on the Department’s website to make sure you meet the requirements.
The topline change is that only communications expenses or insurance premiums are eligible for funding unless your organisation supports children’s development or wellbeing.
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Your organisation must be not-for-profit. This might include charities, community groups, associations, clubs or informal networks. You could represent a parents and citizens committee, a Scout or Guide group, an advocacy group or much more.
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Your organisation’s workforce must consist of at least 40% volunteers. This is calculated by headcount not by work hours.
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The project or purpose demonstrates value for money.
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Funds are used to pay for a specific project or purchase that is for the direct benefit of volunteer workers.
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Funds are not used for the usual running costs of an organisation, for costs that are paid for in full or in part by other sources, are for the benefit of paid staff or on capital works, renovations or fixtures.
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Your grant request is for between $1,000 and $5,000 (GST exclusive)
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Your project begins after 1 July 2025 and concludes before 30 September 2026
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If your organisation supports children’s development and wellbeing or helping parents or carers build skills to better support children’s development, you can apply for funding to cover any purchase, costs or activities.
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If your organisation’s primary purpose is not about children’s development or wellbeing, you can only apply for funds to pay for communications expenses or insurance premiums. That means this grant can only be used to pay for the following costs:
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Mobile phones
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Radio communication devices
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Computers, laptops and tablets
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Communications software packages like email hosting or video conferencing software
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Video conferencing equipment like microphones or camera
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Phone or internet bills, or
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Insurance premiums
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However your application can bundle together multiple costs where costs can be paid upfront.
Given the restrictive nature of these new criteria, I’d encourage you to consider what changes you can make to your organisation’s budget to bring forward replacing devices or front-loading bills to free up project funds elsewhere.