Applications open for SPARC Support Grant Program (Australia)

The Shaping Plans to Advance Regional Culture (SPARC) Cultural Plan details the priorities for Council’s development for arts and culture in the Dubbo Regional Council Local Government Area. Developed to be a living document, it serves to define the key priorities and actions that collectively will provide the strategic direction. The plan will helps determine Council’s role in developing regional culture and positions the organisation to meet the cultural needs of the region.

Funding Information

• Funding is capped at $10,000.00 per round. Applicants may apply for up to the full $10,000.00, however funding will be distributed based on the quality and viability of the application and the number of applications, so successful applications may not be funded to the full requested amount.
• The funding is time limited and will cover projects or programs that are to be completed within a twelve (12) month timeframe from the date of funding.

Expected Outcomes

• Each application can apply for up to $10,000.00 each round and is required to address the following:
  • The project/program must address
    • Proposed project including its proposed goals and outcomes
    • The capacity of the organisation to deliver the proposed goals of the project
    • Outline the key steps of the project and when they will be completed.
    • How the proposed project supports the outcomes and goals of SPARC – Dubbo Regional Council Cultural Plan
  • Demonstrate the capacity to manage funds and deliver the project/program within twelve (12) months.
• Council will consider highly programs that:
  • Directly action and support the outcomes of the SPARC Dubbo Regional Cultural Plan.
  • Provide unique, diverse and equitable cultural outcomes for the community.
  • Support the development and growth of a robust cultural sector.
  • Prioritise the development of new and emerging cultural programs or experiences.
• Funding can be applied for:
  • Performances, presentations and exhibitions
  • Increased skills and professional development opportunities for creatives
  • New works that extend creative practice and cultural forms
  • Community arts, cultural development and cultural education
  • Initiatives that strengthen cultural tourism and connections between culture and economic growth
  • Projects that support and platform local creative voices and perspectives
  • Heritage programs that support access, preservation and understanding of regional stories.

Eligibility Criteria

• The project must be held in, or directly benefit the community of the Dubbo LGA.
• Only one application per organisation, per round.
• Eligible Entity Types 
  • Individuals
    • Individual applicants should use their personal name for the application and if successful, will be individually party to the funding agreement.
    • The ABN Lookup register would list the entity type as ‘Individual/Sole Trader’.
    • The ABN ‘main business location’ should match the postcode of the applicant’s address provided.
  • Australian Incorporated Organisation
    • An incorporated organisation is a legal entity separate from its individual members. Incorporated organisations include the following:
      • Incorporated associations
        • Not‐for‐profit community associations incorporated under state or territory legislation
        • Incorporated associations must, by law, have the words ‘Incorporated’ or ‘Inc.’ in their name.
        • Applicants can confirm if they are an incorporated association by searching the ASIC Connect Register, where the entity type will be listed as an ‘Associations’. Note, the ABN Lookup does not provide the necessary proof.
      • Companies limited by Guarantee (CLG’s)
        • CLGs are registered with ASIC under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and may also be registered as charities with the Australian Charities and Not‐for‐profits Commission.
        • CLGs must, by law, use the words ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’ in their name, although may be exempt from doing so in limited circumstances.
        • Eligibility can be confirmed as a CLG by searching the ASIC Connect Register. CLGs will be listed as an ‘Australian Public Company, Limited By Guarantee’. Note, the ABN Lookup does not provide the necessary proof.
        • Additionally, entities with a ‘Pty Ltd’ in their name (rather than just a ‘Ltd’) are not CLGs but are private proprietary limited companies that are not eligible for funding.
      • Cooperatives
        • Registered under state or territory legislation.
        • Cooperatives are set up and run for the mutual benefit of members (for example, a community childcare cooperative).
        • Cooperatives must have the words ‘Co‐operative’ or ‘Co‐op’, and ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’ in their name and are listed as a ‘Co‐operative’ on ABN Lookup.
      • Indigenous Corporations
        • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander controlled organisations registered with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.
        • Indigenous corporations registered with ORIC must have ‘Aboriginal corporation’, ‘Torres Strait Islander corporation’, or ‘Indigenous corporation’ in their name.
        • Applicants and RPAs can consult the ORIC register to confirm an applicant’s status as a registered Indigenous corporation. Note that not all Indigenous controlled organisations are registered with ORIC. They may instead be (eligible) incorporated associations, CLGs or cooperatives, or (ineligible) for profit companies, but will be identifiable from the naming requirements of that entity type.
  • Auspicing
    • An eligible entity may auspice applications for ineligible organisations (for example unincorporated groups).
    • The Guidelines require applications from individuals under the age of 18 to only be auspiced by individuals over the age of 18 with an ABN. It is not possible for eligible entities to auspice an individual.
  • Trust and Partnerships
    • Trusts and partnerships are not eligible under the Guidelines. Trusts are not incorporated organisations with their own legal identity and are not able to contract in their own name.
    • Similarly, partnerships are not incorporated organisations. Partnerships do not have their own distinct legal identity and are not able to contract in their own name.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Applicants with an overdue acquittal
  • An Acquittal Report is required within two (2) months of the completion of each project/program, as per the date listed on each application, or twelve (12) months from date of funding payment, whichever arises first.
• Applicants with outstanding projects/programs due to extension or have not expended their prior funding within the allocated twelve (12) months of provision.
• Applicants cannot apply for funding via the SPARC Support Grant Program if funding has already been provided by another funding stream within Dubbo Regional Council for the same activity in the same financial year. The unique activity needs to be demonstrated.
• Late or incomplete applications.
• Proposals from Government Departments, agencies or any other Council.
• Proposals from sporting agencies (these organisations have other avenues for financial assistance).
• Activities where the primary goal is visitor attraction/economic development (other streams of financial assistance are available).
• Social activities for members of the organisation exclusively.
• Expenditure for equipment not related to the specific project/program proposed.
• Projects or programs with a political or sectarian purpose.
• Applications seeking funds for retrospective projects and programs commencing, or items purchased, prior to end of the grant closing date.
• General fundraising appeals or to raise funds for a charity or organisation
• Existing projects or programs that require additional, continuous and/or top-up funding.
• Proposals that duplicate a project or program already existing within the Local Government Area.

Assessment Criteria

• Each application will be assessed by a panel on the following:
  • Project/program idea.
  • Clear alignment with the actions of the SPARC Cultural Plan
  • Importance of the project and community impacts
  • Capacity of the applicant to successfully complete the project/program.

For more information, visit Dubbo Regional Council.