- Who can apply:
- Not-for-profit groups
- Status:
- Closed
- Funding:
- $1 - $50,000
The LGBTIQA+ Organisational Development Grants strengthen Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ communities by supporting LGBTIQA+ organisations and groups to grow their crucial work.
Eligible organisations and groups are invited to apply for grants of up to $25,000 under Stream 1 or grants of up to $50,000 under Stream 2 to:
- build their capacity, including through staff training and development opportunities
- better serve diverse LGBTIQA+ communities across Victoria
- fortify their long-term viability by planning for the future.
Find successful grant recipients.
Guidelines
Organisations and groups funded to deliver activities through this program must demonstrate how they positively affect the lives of Victoria’s diverse LGBTIQA+ communities and intend to deliver against at least one of the following five program objectives.
Accessibility and inclusion
Support for LGBTIQA+ organisations to improve inclusive practices that engage diverse LGBTIQA+ people. Funding will be prioritised for LGBTIQA+ organisations that focus on working with people with disability, Aboriginal people and regional/rural communities.
Capacity building
Build the knowledge, skills, processes and resources of organisations and their people, equipping them to provide services and support to LGBTIQA+ Victorians.
Expansion
Enable the growth of core operations into regional and rural communities and improve processes to support meaningful engagement with intersectional LGBTIQA+ communities.
Governance
Strengthen organisational governance to make sure organisations are stable and secure to respond to the needs of LGBTIQA+ communities. This includes the structure of a board or management committee.
Sustainability
Support strategic planning by LGBTIQA+ organisations and groups. This includes support to form partnerships with like organisations to achieve mutual goals, promote long-term viability, reduce reliance on external funding and increase ongoing capacity.
To be eligible for funding, your organisation or group must be either:
- a community, not-for-profit or peak community body based in Victoria that is an incorporated legal entity under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2001 (Vic), or a similar type of organisation
- a social enterprise with a clearly stated purpose or mission related specifically to supporting LGBTIQA+ communities. View ‘What is an LGBTIQA+ community organisation or group?’ section for more details.
And you must:
- be operating for and across the LGBTIQA+ sector or communities
- be an organisation with limited experience (for stream 1) or established experience (for stream 2) in supporting LGBTIQA+ people and communities
- have a current Australian Business Number (ABN), or an auspice with a current ABN
- be an incorporated association, club or community group operating as a not-for-profit registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria
- have an appropriate level of Public Liability Insurance to cover all aspects of the Program, or an auspice arrangement with this insurance cover
- not have any overdue deliverables from other grants provided by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
Larger and more established LGBTIQA+ organisations are eligible to apply, acknowledging that they play a vital role in supporting other organisations as they grow and mature. Larger organisations may choose to support smaller organisations by taking on the role of auspice and/or partner.
If your organisation or group does not meet the requirements above, please refer to the section 'Can I have an auspice arrangement?' within the program guidelines.
Note: Applicants who have overdue or outstanding accountability reports for other grant programs funded through the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing are not eligible to receive funding through this program.
To check if you are up-to-date with your contracted reporting requirements, email equality@dffh.vic.gov.au
Eligible LGBTIQA+ organisations, groups and businesses may apply for grant funding under one of two program streams available to support organisations with different levels of experience in LGBTIQA+ community service delivery.
Having two streams of funding gives new and emerging organisations greater opportunity to participate in the program. It also allows flexibility in the activities that organisations of varying experience undertake.
Stream 1: new or limited experience
Funding of up to $25,000 (GST exclusive) is available for eligible organisations that are newly established or have limited experience in supporting LGBTIQA+ communities.
Organisations under this stream are strongly encouraged to consider activities aligned with capacity building and governance.
Examples of activities that organisations may consider under this funding stream include:
- training workshops to improve the skills of new staff and volunteers
- activities to strengthen board member recruitment and induction
- developing a strategy for growth and development
- computer hardware and software improvements to support employees with disabilities.
Stream 2: established and demonstrated experience
Funding of up to $50,000 (GST exclusive) is available for eligible organisations with established and demonstrated experience in supporting LGBTIQA+ communities.
Organisations under this stream are strongly encouraged to consider activities aligned with the accessibility and inclusion, and expansion and sustainability objectives.
Examples of activities considered under this funding stream could include:
- partnering with a regional LGBTIQA+ group to expand operations into regional Victoria
- developing a strategic plan to better engage diverse community members
- engaging a financial consultant to help support financial planning and increase business growth
- undertaking market research to understand community needs.
Note: While the above examples provide suggestions of how streams could align with the program objectives, this is not prescriptive. Applicants are encouraged to address at least one of the program objectives with their proposed project.
A non-exhaustive list of the types of activities that will be funded through these grants includes:
- development of strategic, business, marketing and fundraising plans
- development and delivery of engagement plans across intersectional LGBTIQA+ communities
- identify new income streams to increase business growth
- development and/or delivery of regional and rural engagement plans and strategies (including online delivery)
- advice from consultants or subject matter experts (such as legal, business, financial or fundraising)
- employment of fixed-term contract staff engaged for the direct purpose of delivering the proposed project
- creating or strengthening partnerships and/or working collectively to leverage resources and opportunities with other organisations
- training and development of staff, volunteers and board members that will directly benefit the organisation and improve knowledge. This may include organisational planning, policy review, governance, leadership and management, financial management, fundraising, volunteer management, marketing, social media, website development or advertising
- activities relating to forward planning, skills development or institutional knowledge management
- purchase or upgrade of office equipment to support the organisation’s expansion or sustainability
- support for an organisation or group to apply for and obtain incorporation and/or charitable status
- attendance at conferences and training in Victoria that provides direct and clear benefits to the organisation or group and/or the communities they engage
- auspice fees (no more than 10% of the total funding request).
Note: You may request reasonable administrative and project management costs for work directly associated with implementing your proposed activities. This is capped at 50 per cent of total funding request. These costs are not intended to fund operational or program staff costs for business-as-usual duties.
The following activities will not be funded through this grant round:
- activities that do not align with the program’s objectives
- competitions, commercial (for-profit) or direct fundraising activities or events
- activities or costs that have already been funded by another Victorian Government program
- ongoing staff positions, staff contracted for periods longer than the project timeframe or operations/administrative costs for business-as-usual activities
- direct lobbying or activities that promote or are held for a party political purpose
- personal living expenses
- expenses not related to the activity outlined in application
- external-facing initiatives
- leasing buildings or land
- buying capital infrastructure
- buying food or beverages
- festivals and related costs such as venue hire, travel or catering
- activities conducted outside of Victoria
- Rainbow Tick accreditation or LGBTIQA+ competency activities
- travel costs (regional and rural applicants may receive a limited exemption)
- overseas and interstate conferences, training or study tours
- honours or masters degrees or courses that can be funded through a government-funded scheme
- advertising or marketing for activities, initiatives or events not funded through these grants
- retrospective funding for activities that have already started or have been completed.
If your organisation does not meet the eligibility requirements outlined above, you may nominate an auspice organisation which meets criteria to apply for a grant on your behalf. A letter of support will need to be uploaded with your application to confirm the agreement.
Any organisation that meets the eligibility criteria may act as an auspice.
If the application is successful, the auspice organisation will be responsible for the following:
- signing the grant agreement
- all legal and financial responsibility of the grant on your organisation’s behalf
- receiving and distributing grant funds under the grant agreement
- ensuring all project activities are completed
- submitting final and budget reports on behalf of your organisation.
If you are planning on having your grant managed by an auspice organisation:
- ensure your application is submitted by that auspice body on your behalf
- any associated auspice fees are presented in your budget (maximum of 10% and included within the maximum request per application).
Partnership applications are encouraged. Two or more organisations or groups may collaborate to submit a single partnership application. These applications should demonstrate strong value for money, achieve wide benefit and meet an identified needs gap for all beneficiaries.
For example, if there are several applicants that have similar development needs (e.g. board governance training or grant writing workshops), these organisations may submit a partnership application that enables them to coordinate and access the same resources or training as a larger group. One organisation will need to submit on behalf of the partnership and nominate the primary contact person coordinating the partnership and application.
Partnerships are still subject to a maximum request of $25,000 per application under Stream 1 or $50,000 per application under Stream 2.
Step 1: Read the guidelines to ensure your organisation and proposed activities are eligible.
Step 2: Consider the assessment criteria in terms of your project.
Step 3: Discuss your application by emailing equality@dffh.vic.gov.au and requesting a call back.
Step 4: Attend an online information session to find out more and ask questions.
Step 5: Select the application form for the stream you want to apply for.
Step 6: Submit your application by 11.59 pm, Friday 10 March 2023 via the online grant application portal.
Assessment criterion 1: What organisational needs have been identified?
Words: 400
Weighting: 20%
To address this criterion, applicants will be required to provide:
- details of the barriers that limit your organisation’s ability to grow, achieve your identified purpose, or to engage meaningfully with Victoria’s diverse LGBTIQA+ communities
- evidence of why removing these barriers will help develop your organisation
- how you identified the proposed project as a suitable solution.
Assessment criterion 2: What are you going to do?
Words: 200
Weighting: 20%
Applicants will be expected to provide a detailed project plan that clearly outlines the proposed activities by describing:
- activities to be undertaken
- proposed timelines for the activities within the grant period
- readiness to proceed with the activities and that the funded activity is achievable.
Applicants must also complete a budget table that shows clear cost estimates that represent value for money.
Assessment criterion 3: What will the project achieve?
Words: 600
Weighting: 30%
Applicants will be required to demonstrate:
- how the proposed project aligns with the program objectives. For more information, view the program guidelines.
- how the proposed project supports the strategic direction of your organisation
- how the funded activities will address the identified needs
- how the funded activities will build the capacity of the LGBTIQA+ organisation or group
- the communities and people that will benefit most from the proposed organisational development.
Assessment criterion 4: Who is involved in the project?
Words: 150
Weighting: 5%
Applicants should outline who will be involved, the role they will play and the skills they will bring including:
- any project coordinators and specialist consultants providing leadership of the project
- confirmed staff engaged specifically for this project who have delivered previous or similar activities
- any partner organisations, representatives of LGBTIQA+ communities or volunteers
- any external provider organisations and their roles.
Assessment criterion 5: How will the project improve your organisation’s inclusion of diverse LGBTIQA+ communities?
Words: 200
Weighting: 15%
LGBTIQA+ people with disability, Aboriginal LGBTIQA+ people, LGBTIQA+ people from regional and rural Victoria and LGBTIQA+ communities of colour are a priority under this program. To address this criterion, applicants will be required to outline:
- the intersectional LGBTIQA+ communities that you intend to engage with through this project
- the barriers to inclusion that marginalised LGBTIQA+ communities face
- how will the barriers identified be addressed by this project to improve accessibility and engagement into the future.
Assessment criterion 6: Will your project benefit regional or rural LGBTIQA+ communities?
Words: 150
Weighting: 5%
Projects taking place in regional and/or rural locations that provide a direct benefit to LGBTIQA+ people in those communities, are a priority under this program. To address this criterion, applicants will be required to outline:
- the regional and/or rural location(s) where your project will take place
- details of how your project will deliver positive outcomes for LGBTIQA+ in those communities.
Assessment criterion 7: How will you measure success?
Words: 200
Weighting: 5%
Applicants should describe the methods that will be used to measure whether the activities have:
- been successful and met the objectives of this program
- increased the applicant’s ability to achieve their core goal or purpose amongst LGBTIQA+ communities.
All applications must be submitted online unless a prior arrangement has been agreed with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
Each application will be scored against the assessment criteria outlined above.
Eligible applications will be assessed by a panel consisting of representatives from the Department of Families Fairness and Housing, the Office of the Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities and other relevant Victorian Government representatives.
Additional considerations during assessment will include:
- at least 30 per cent of successful applicants will be based in rural and regional Victoria
- a clear and demonstrated commitment to improving accessibility and inclusion of LGBTIQA+ Aboriginal communities and LGBTIQA+ people with disability.
After your application is assessed, program staff will consolidate panel recommendations for approval by the Minister for Equality. The decision of the Minister for Equality is final.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by email. Feedback will be provided to applicants upon request.
The following conditions will apply to all successful applicants to the LGBTIQA+ Organisational Development Grants:
- the grant recipient must enter into a Funding Agreement with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing which will set out the conditions, reporting requirements and contractual targets of the funding
- the funded activity must commence by June 2023 and be completed by 31 May 2024
- funds must be spent on the project as described in the Funding Agreement
- any unspent funds must be returned to the Department
- any variation to the approved project must be submitted to the Department for approval prior to implementation
- the grant recipient must have an appropriate level of Public Liability Coverage
- where relevant, organisations are required to arrange Working with Children checks on staff and people aged 18 and over who come into regular, direct and unsupervised contact with young people
- where funding will support the care, education, services or activities for children (under 18 years), it is a requirement that the applicant is:
- a separate legal entity that can be sued in its own right in child abuse proceedings
- appropriately insured against child abuse.
This requirement will improve the ability of child abuse survivors to bring a legal claim for compensation and ensure that successful claims can be paid.
LGBTIQA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer. It is an inclusive umbrella abbreviation to encompass a range of diverse sexualities, genders and sex characteristics. People may identify with more than one of these terms.
While LGBTIQA+ communities often work together, they are different communities with distinct experiences, needs and priorities.
To ensure the activities, services and spaces you provide are safe, affirming and welcoming for LGBTIQA+ Victorians and to help prepare your application, please review and consider the:
- Victorian Government LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Language Guide
- Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ strategy 2022–2032.
Note: Applicants are advised that their organisation, group, activity or event may target all LGBTIQA+ communities, several communities, or an individual community.
The LGBTIQA+ sector encompasses a broad range of organisations, groups and businesses. An LGBTIQA+ organisation or group:
- provides services to LGBTIQA+ communities which may be paid or unpaid and may include health, wellbeing, entertainment, arts and culture services
- services one or multiple LGBTIQA+ communities
- has a clear and evidenced purpose to provide a service for LGBTIQA+ people.
In 2023 this program will prioritise funding to support LGBTIQA+ organisations that are working to improve inclusion outcomes for LGBTIQA+ people with disabilities, Aboriginal LGBTIQA+ communities and LGBTIQA+ people in regional and rural Victoria.
Note: An organisation or group may be considered small, medium or large in terms of operations and/or revenue. They may be at different stages of their management, governance, maturity, program and service delivery.
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