Ann Leahy’s Funding Update and COVID-19 Information and Support

Warrego Electorate Office

24 July 2020 Ann Leahy’s July 2020 Funding Update

Ann Leahy’s Scholarships Guide  The Guide is a summary of contact numbers and website addresses for scholarships at major universities, agricultural colleges, training and apprenticeship information, and a listing of scholarships in a range of areas such as rural industry, veterinary, medicine, pharmacy, teaching, sport, engineering and the arts. Year 12 students in the Warrego Electorate will receive a copy of the 2020/21 Guide, however should any other students, teachers or mature age students require a copy it will be made available upon request from my Electorate Offices Ph 1800 814 479 or Ph 1800 625 430 or email warrego@parliament.qld.gov.au.

Building Digital Skills Grant – Good Things FoundationApplications for the $2,500 – $15,000 Building Digital Skills grants are open until 31st July 2020.  The Good Things Foundation manages the national Be Connected Network of community organisations who support older Australians to engage with digital technology in their local communities.  To become a network partner and apply for funding you must be able to provide an ABN number and have public liability insurance.  The network provides access to a range of resources to enhance the delivery of digital literacy programs. The Be Connected campaign is run by the Department of Social Services, in partnership with the Office of the eSafety Commissioner.   For more information telephone the Be Connected Helpline: 1300 795 897, Network Partner Helpline: (02) 9051 9292, email:connect@goodthingsfoundation.orgcontact Ann Leahy’s Electorate Office Ph 1800 625 430 or visit:  https://www.beconnectednetwork.org.au/grant-program/building-digital-skills-grants 

Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) Applications to the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) Round 106 will close at 11.59pm on 31st August 2020.  The GCBF funding guidelines changed (in 2019) and those changes can be found at  https://www.justice.qld.gov.au/community-engagement/news/2019/changes-gcbf-guidelines.  Grants from $500 and up to the value of $35,000 are available to eligible not-for-profit community groups. New applicants are encouraged to watch the tutorials on the website. Further assistance with  registering or applying for a grant is available on Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 5.00pm (excluding public holidays) via Ph 3247 4284 or 1800 633 619, email cbf@justice.qld.gov.au;  Ann Leahy’s Electorate Office Ph 1800 625 430 or visit:  http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/corporate/sponsorships-and-grants/grants/community-benefit-funding-programs

Active Restart Infrastructure Recovery FundApplications close on 7th August 2020 for funding to not-for-profit sport and recreation organisations to support their return to play and encourage the Queensland community to re-engage with physical activity post-COVID-19.  Check guidelines at https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0021/133374/active-restart-infrastructure-funding-guidelines.pdf  for details about funding priorities and program requirements.  For assistance or more information contact Sport and Recreation Office Ph 4531 8525 or E srsswsportrec@npsr.qld.gov.au; Ann Leahy’s Electorate Office Ph 1800 625 430 or visit https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/active-restart-infrastructure-recovery-fund

Arts Queensland – Spaces and PlacesExpressions of interest for Spaces and Places funding must be submitted by 21 August 2020 through Smarty Grants via the Arts Queensland website or via a USB device posted to our office.  Spaces and Places supports organisations, creative businesses, local councils and festivals to develop new products with cultural tourism potential that employ local artists and leverage supporting partnership funding.  To submit online, visit the following web link to access the Expression of Interest form: https://artsqueensland.smartygrants.com.au/SandP   For more information Ph 3034 4016 or toll free 1800 175 531 Email: investment@arts.qld.gov.au contact Ann Leahy’s Electorate Office Ph 1800 625 430 or  visit:  https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/aq-funding

Arts Queensland  – Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP) Applications close on 14th August 2020.  QASP supports vibrant and accessible arts and cultural experiences for Queensland by individuals, organisations or collectives and is delivered through three streams Arts Accelerate, Arts Activate and Arts Advantage.  Apply online via smarty grantshttps://artsqueensland.smartygrants.com.au/   For more information Ph 3034 4016 or toll free 1800 175 531 For more information Ph 3034 4016 or toll free 1800 175 531 Email: investment@arts.qld.gov.au contact Ann Leahy’s Electorate Office Ph 1800 625 430 or visit   https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/funding/organisations/arts-showcase or  https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/aq-funding

CCI Giving’s Small Grants Program  – Round 6Applications open on 1st  July 2020 and close on 4th September 2020. Organisations that hold DGR Item 1 status can apply for single grants of up to $5,000 to support events or projects, and up to $10,000 to support small capital works initiatives.  The program’s aim is to assist young people experiencing educational disadvantage, refugees and people seeking asylum, families affected by mental illness and those affected by domestic violence.  More information on how previous program recipients are using funds to respond to emerging needs in their local communities can be found on the website https://ccigiving.org.au.   Applicants should call (02) 9779 6317 for a preliminary conversation or email contact details to CCI Giving ccigiving@australianphilanthropicservices.com.au;   as a first step. Some organisations will be invited to provide a detailed funding application with supporting documentation.

Albert and Barbara Tucker Foundation Applications close on 14^th August 2020 for grants to charitable organisations of up to $25,000 for projects that support and address disadvantage in areas of the arts, education (primary, secondary and tertiary), equality and social acceptance, domestic violence, prevention of cruelty to animals, and the protection of wildlife and wildlife habitat.  For further information email mara@tuckerfoundation.org.au  contact Ann Leahy’s Electorate Office Ph 1800 625 430 or visit: http://tuckerfoundation.org.au/

Western Downs Regional Council  – Community Hardship and Assistance Grants Program  Applications opened on 1st June 2020 and close 1st June 2021 or sooner if all funds are expended.   Amounts of up to $10,000 in funding to provide ‘quick response’ financial assistance to eligible community organisations experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, including financial assistance to a community or sporting organisation to remain viable during the COVID-19 crisis as a result of lost income, financial hardship as a result of being unable to reclaim funds outlaid for an event or project cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis, and projects to assist organisations develop alternate service delivery models.   To apply and for further information visit:  https://www.wdrc.qld.gov.au/living-here/grants-funding/community-hardship-and-assistance-grant/

Queensland Destination Events Program – Round 17 Applications close on 7^th October 2020.  Funding is available for Queensland events being staged between May 2021 and May 2022.  Events play a key role in fostering regional tourism and economic development. Tourism is an essential industry to many rural and regional centres, ensuring economic stability, and events can be a cost-effective way of promoting a region and its attractions – as an event grows, it attracts tourists in its own right. The positive economic impact and interest in a community that a successful regional event can provide not only helps to build a sense of local pride but can also foster confidence and strengthen the community as a whole.   The Queensland Destination Events Program (QDEP), formerly the Regional Development Program (RDP), seeks to leverage the crucial link between events and the destinations in which they are staged, extending the flow of the economic, marketing and social benefits of events throughout metropolitan and regional Queensland. There are two streams of funding:  •           destination event funding – single year funding for developing events seeking growth            ($10 000 to $25 000 per year)•           significant event funding – single year or up to 3 years of funding for events that can demonstrate             a strong track record of growth or growth potential ($25,000 to $100,000 per year). For more information on eligibility, funding uses, funding conditions, and the application process please check the QDEP Funding Guidelines   If you have any questions about the application process, please contact TEQ Ph 3535 3535, via email at events@queensland.com or Ann Leahy’s Electorate Office Ph 1800 625 430 or visit:  https://teq.queensland.com/Events/Events-Support/Queensland-Destination-Events-Program

FairPlay Voucher – Round 3 (replaces Get Started Vouchers program).Round 3 closes on 7^th October 2020.  Parents, carers or guardians can apply for a voucher valued up to $150 for their child/young person. Vouchers can be used towards the cost of membership, registration and/or participation fees for eligible activities with registered physical activity providers. Support will also be available for families who struggle with the cost of regular participation but have not previously met the eligibility criteria for a voucher.  For more information visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/fairplay/apply Ph 137 468, email: fairplayvouchers@npsr.qld.gov.au; or contact Ann Leahy’s Electorate Office Ph 1800 625 430.

 Tackling Tough Times Together (TTTT)Tackling Tough Times Together is a rolling grants program with applications accepted at any time and assessed quarterly.  Applications for the current round close on 27^th August 2020.  The program’s aim is to help communities access the resources they need to support one another through the ongoing effects of the drought.  Grants are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities.  Three tiers of grants are available:  Up to $20,000 – projects to be finalised within 18 months of approval;  Up to $60,000 – projects to be finalised within 18 months of approval;  Up to $150,000 – applications for this tier are by Expression of Interest, and multi-year projects (up to three years) are welcomed. Applicants must speak with the TTTT team to discuss their project before applying.  NOTE: Expressions of Interest close approximately 3 weeks before the quarterly due date for applications.   Projects in all tiers must clearly demonstrate a focus on one activity from the following seven areas, with a further breakdown of what can be funded on the website.  1. Building community resilience; 2. Developing organisational resilience and capacity; 3. Enhancing environmental sustainability; 4. Fostering cultural vibrancy; 5. Lifelong learning and education; 6. Economic strength; 7. Improving community health and social wellbeing.  For more information Ph 1800 170 020, email toughtimes@frrr.org.au; Ann Leahy’s Electorate Office Ph 1800 625 430 or visit:  https://www.frrr.org.au/grants/tackling_tough_times_together.php

FRRR – Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) – Small & Vital Grants – Round 6Applications close on 25^th August 2020 for grants that can be used for a wide range of purposes including: Delivering activities, programs and services; Purchasing or hiring equipment and materials; Community infrastructure projects; and Operational and administrative costs associated with a project will be considered. This could include wages, paying a skilled contractor, or paying for overhead costs incurred in the project’s delivery.  Applications must clearly demonstrate a focus on one activity from the following seven activity areas. 1. Building community resilience; 2. Developing organisational resilience and capacity; 3. Enhancing environmental sustainability; 4. Fostering cultural vibrancy; 5. Lifelong learning and education; 6. Economic strength; and 7. Improving community health and social wellbeing.  Further detailed information of activities that will be considered for funding can be found on the website. www.frrr.org.au;  Small & Vital is a rolling grants program. The cut-off for submissions and outcome advisory dates of successful applicants are listed on the website.  If you have any queries or wish to discuss your project please contact FRRR on 1800 170 020, email: info@frrr.org.au; Ann Leahy’s Electorate Office Ph 1800 625 430 or visit:  https://www.frrr.org.au/SRC_Small_Vital.php

.  QCWA Public Rural Crisis Fund (PRCF) The QCWA are currently assisting farmers and their families with household support in flood and drought affected areas, in every part of Queensland.  Assistance is limited to one successful application per calendar year. Support is given in the form of grocery vouchers, store credit or being able to pay some overdue accounts such as utility bills. For more information, Ph 07 3026 1220 email: prcf@qcwa.org.au; Ann Leahy’s Electorate Office Ph 1800 625 430 or visit:  http://www.qcwa.org.au/what-we-do/public-rural-crisis-fund

Australian Government Support and National ServicesIndividuals, families, farms, and rural and regional communities can access a range of services and support to help them manage during times of hardship, including drought, and prepare for future conditions.   It is important that those in need of support do not self-assess their eligibility for assistance and instead seek advice from an expert, like a rural financial counsellor.  For more information on services and assistance available, please access the following link (below).   https://farmhub.org.au

The Rural Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland (RFCS-SQ)Rural Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland provides free, impartial, confidential, and responsive rural financial counselling services, supporting and assisting primary producers, and small and medium businesses experiencing financial hardship.  For more information, Small and Medium Business call 1300 732 777, Primary Producers 07 4622 5500 or visit: https://www.rfcssq.org.au/.  If you do not have internet access, please contact Ann Leahy’s Electorate Office Ph 1800 625 430 or warrego@parliament.qld.gov.au; for assistance.

Other Grants and Assistance available to Businesses including COVID-19: To find information and stay up-to-date on the Australian Government’s latest COVID-19 support for business visit:https://business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business  or call 13 28 46. For Queensland Government business grants and assistance including COVID-19 visit  https://business.qld.gov.au; Ph 13 74 68. If you do not have internet access or you require assistance please contact Ann Leahy’s Electorate Office Ph 1800 625 430 or warrego@parliament.qld.gov.au for further information regarding any of these grant programs.

Ann Leahy MP — Member for Warrego Shadow Minister for Local GovernmentRoma Office       T: 4570 1100 or 1800 814 479 PO Box 945 ROMA Q  4455 Dalby Office T: 4519 0700 or 1800 625 430 PO Box 262 DALBY Q 4405