Community Grant Program 

 

  

Hydro Tasmania offers grants of up to $5000 for not-for-profit (NFP) community organisations based in Tasmania to help fund projects that make a real difference for people and communities.

We want to support community groups to achieve great outcomes.

The program is now in its fourth year and so far we've funded 20 projects.

Applications for our 2020 community grant program have now closed!

Application process

Applicants are required to complete and submit an application form.

Open date	Closing date	Grants awarded
13 February	5pm 27 March	By 30 June

Following the closing date the submissions will be reviewed by a panel made up of Hydro Tasmania personnel.

All successful applicants will be required to sign a Funding Agreement, which will be provided by Hydro Tasmania. 

Successful recipients of the 2019 community grant program

We received 90 applications in 2019!

Volunteers and small community groups play a big part in the quality of life that we often take for granted, so it is wonderful that these grants generate so much interest.

Project	Organisation	Purpose
Older person mental health community training	Rural Alive and Well (RAW) Based in Oatlands	Currently the highest age-specific suicide rate is men 85 years and older. This training will help older people who are experiencing mental health issues and their carers and will be rolled out to rural Tasmanians state-wide.
Brothers of Country	Moonah Arts Centre	Through a series of workshops, Brothers of Country will use Aboriginal practices and connection to country to bring together diverse cultural groups. From these workshops a performance will be created and presented at the Moonah Arts Centre, Moonah Taste of the World Festival and produced into short online films. The project aims to promote diversity and inclusion through sharing different cultures in a creative way.
Replacement of old marching percussion equipment	Latrobe Federal Band	The Latrobe Federal Band is a much loved institution and contributes significantly to the Latrobe, Railton, Sheffield and Port Sorell areas. It provides music for the community at events such as ANZAC Day services, Christmas carols, parades and numerous public concerts. The members are proud to be part of the oldest continuous brass band in Australia (established in 1872) with ages ranging from seven to 70, including some third generation participants.
Family Recovery Centre upgrade	Mates4Mates Hobart	Mates4Mates provides rehabilitation services for current and ex-serving Defence Force personnel and their families. The Hobart Family Recovery Centre has seen a 600% increase in people accessing its services. This grant will be used to install new kitchen appliances. Good nutrition and sharing meals are an integral part of social connection and well-being and restoring a sense of belonging.
Dad's Book - A manual for the most important job you'll ever have	Men's Resources Tasmania Based in Lewisham	The Dad's Book will focus on the needs of new dads and provide information and contacts for support. Fatherhood is often missing from the conversation about new parenthood and is essential for effective sole or co-parenting.
Community Rail History Centre	Derwent Valley Railway	A section of the New Norfolk Railway Station will be converted to an interpretation / history centre to share the story of how the Derwent Valley's railway was built and its role in developing the region.

  

Wondering what contribution our community grants have had in the past? In 2019 the Latrobe Federal Band, Australia's longest running brass band, received a grant to purchase new instruments. These new instruments have made it easier for the band to tour and perform in the community - check out this short video of the recent concert at the 2020 Henley-on-Mersey.

 

+  Selection criteria

We want to support projects that address a defined need and will have an ongoing positive impact in the wider community.

To be considered for this program applicants must demonstrate that:

• The project will achieve a desired outcome for the wider community and will benefit a significant number of residents.
• The applicant and the project is based in Tasmania.
• The project has good prospects of successful implementation within 12 months and the applicant has considered long-term costs and/or maintenance.
• The organisation and the project do not conflict with Hydro Tasmania's values, ethics and safety culture.
• The project has not received significant funding from another source.
• Applicants must be willing to provide information and photographs during the project for use by Hydro Tasmania.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel made up of Hydro Tasmania personnel, and one independent member.

All successful applicants will be required to sign a Funding Agreement which Hydro Tasmania will provide.

+  Eligibility

Applicants must be a community-serving, not-for-profit entity granted tax-exempt status, such as:

• Charities
• Community service organisations
• School associations or parent bodies
• Councils
• Sporting groups
• Cultural groups

Ineligible applications include:

• Projects where there is a direct benefit to a business or an individual
• Projects that benefit a political party
• Fundraising campaigns or appeals
• Ongoing running or labour costs rather than for a defined project
• Expenses that have already been incurred or covers a budget deficit
• Projects that are more appropriately the responsibility of State or Federal governments

+  Handy hints

• Demonstrate strong value for money.
• Show a clear need in the community.
• Provide evidence of community support.
• Provide a clear explanation of the project's objectives.
• Show that risks associated with the project have been considered.
• Contain clear, evidence-based details of the number of people who will benefit.
• Demonstrate organisational and/or community capacity to complete the project.
• Don't use jargon, write acronyms in full in the first instance and ensure the application can be understood by the average person.
• Consider maintenance or replacement costs on an ongoing basis.
• Provide all requested details in the body of the application. A large number of applications may be received and it is unrealistic to expect that website links or references will be reviewed.
• Letters of support are a good way to demonstrate community need and support for projects. These letters should be obtained from outside the applicant organisation.
• It is unlikely that projects will be funded where there is an unrealistic outcome, time frame or budget, is likely to be beyond the capacity of the applicant and / or unlikely to proceed in the next 12 months.

+  Terms and conditions

• Submission of an application is deemed to be acceptance of the conditions.
• Community grants are only open to projects in Tasmania.
• Applications must be submitted on the application form provided.
• Applications open 13 February 2020 and close at 5pm 27 March 2020. Applicants will be notified of the outcome by June 2020. Late applications will not be accepted.
• Satisfaction of the eligibility criteria and compliance with the application process does not guarantee the provision of a grant to any applicant. The judging panel reserves the right in its absolute discretion to choose the successful applicants. The judging panel’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• Hydro Tasmania may choose to award grants to successful applicants either in full, or in part.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the budget and other financial information is correct and fully completed.
• The grant must be used within 12 months from payment and for the purpose for which it has been provided. If an organisation is unable to fulfil this requirement the funds must be returned to Hydro Tasmania.
• A final project report and photographs of the successful completion of the project must be provided to Hydro Tasmania within 12 months of the receipt of the grant. Photographs are to be made available for use by Hydro Tasmania.
• Approval of a grant does not commit Hydro Tasmania to any future financial assistance to the organisation.
• If there is a third party involved, for example, a sponsor the applicant remains responsible for all parties to abide by the terms and conditions of the grant.
• Successful applicants must sign a Funding Agreement and provide Hydro Tasmania with a tax invoice.
• Hydro Tasmania shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered (including but not limited to indirect or consequential loss) or for any personal injury suffered or sustained in connection with funded projects.
• Hydro Tasmania accepts no responsibility for any tax implications that may arise from the successful application.
• Once a grant has been awarded any shortfall required for the completion of the project needs to be covered by the organisation or other funding sources.
• Hydro Tasmania collects applicants’ personal information in order to conduct and administer the community grant program. If the information requested is not provided, the applicant may not participate in the program. By submitting the application each applicant agrees that Hydro Tasmania may use this information for any media, promotion, marketing and/or publicity purposes without further reference, payment or other compensation to the applicant.

+  Previous grants awarded

In 2018 we received 84 applications in the second year of our community grant program. Volunteers and small community groups play a big part in the quality of life that we often take for granted so it was wonderful that these grants generated so much interest.

The projects selected for the 2018 Hydro Tasmania community grants were:

Project	Organisation	Purpose
New seating at the Lake Barrington rowing course	Rowing Tasmania	The Lake Barrington International Rowing Course has 50,000 plus visitors every year. Rowing Tasmania wants to improve the facilities for the water sport community and visitors. This grant will be used to replace the seating that is now over 35 years old.
Rewiring the CWA Hall on King Island	Pegarah Country Women’s Association	Like most small communities, the CWA Hall is an essential community gathering point. It is used for get-togethers, exercise classes, markets, flower and art shows. The grant will go towards the long over-due re-wiring of the hall and bring the building up to current safety standards.
Art therapy workshops	Magnolia Place (Launceston Women's Shelter)	The Launceston Women’s Shelter is going to provide art therapy workshops for residents and their children who have suffered trauma. Research has shown that these workshops can reduce isolation, improve physical and mental health and aid recovery.
Op shop revival	Mole Creek Opportunity Shop	The Mole Creek Op Shop has been a focal point in the community for over 30 years but needs some maintenance. It’s a volunteer-run shop and all profits go back into the community. This grant means that for the first time the volunteers, whose average is 80, will have heating.
Purchase of a defibrillator and machinery upgrade	Campbell Town and Districts Men Shed	This Mens Shed is seeing an influx of new members. The members host a ‘Special Day’ each week for ladies and provide instruction in woodwork for the disabled. This grant will enable them to have a defibrillator and upgrade some of the machinery and tools.
Meal support for new mums and their families	Esther’s House Pregnancy and Parenting Support	Esther’s House assists women across the State with emotional and practical support during and after a difficult pregnancy. The meal support program provides at least one home-cooked healthy meal for the whole family. Eating well is essential for well-being at this time and the consistent social contact means extra support can be provided if needed.
Harvest Helpers program to preserve excess fruit and reduce waste	Deloraine Community House	The Harvest Helpers pick fruit that people are no longer able to pick themselves. The fruit then gets preserved and shared with the community. It’s used for provisions during an emergency, food for those in need and community get-togethers.

The first round of community grants was awarded in 2017.

We received applications from all around Tasmania from a wide range of organisations.

The projects selected for the inaugural grants were:

Project	Organisation	Purpose
Work-ready program for unemployed young people	Geeveston Community Centre	The young people in this program have literacy and numeracy barriers to getting a job. This program provides training and support to help them enter the workforce, break the cycle of inter-generational unemployment and gain the confidence to be role-models in their family network.
Upgrade of broadcast equipment	Coast FM in Wynyard	Coast FM is a community radio station that connects diverse communities and is a ‘friend’ to many elderly, housebound or marginalised people. The volunteer-based team is using outdated equipment which is not only sub-standard but unlikely to engage younger volunteers who are essential for this service to continue.
Spinal injury equipment for Rosebery and Zeehan swimming pools	Rosebery Community House	These swimming pools are popular with locals and tourists during the summer months for both fun and fitness. The lifeguards have all been trained in spinal injury management but cost has prohibited them from having this essential equipment.
Registration software for the biennial Gathering event in Latrobe	Tasmanian Women in Agriculture (TWiA)	The women in TWiA are mothers, wives and partners in farms, fishing and agribusinesses. Many of them also work in towns and volunteer for rural community services. They are the voice of issues affecting rural families. The software for the biennial gathering (18/20 May in Latrobe) will upskill the volunteers and will be loaned to other volunteer-based community groups in farming communities.
Equipment needed for the annual Mannalargenna Day celebrations held at Musselroe Bay	Melythina Tiakana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation	Mannalargenna Day is an annual event that celebrates Aboriginal culture and history on Ancestral Country. Hundreds of people converge on the North-East to commemorate the life of an important Aboriginal ancestor and learn about the deep and historical connection Aboriginal people have with the area.
Equipment to run a healthy gardening program	Phoenix Community House on King Island	30 per cent of King Islanders suffer from a chronic illness. This gardening program will teach people how to grow their own fresh produce to improve their health. The added benefit is having a social, outdoor activity that will bring people together.
Upgrade to the existing car park	Longford Men's Shed	The Longford Men’s Shed is housed in a hall used by many community groups. Parking is limited and dangerous for older or less able people. The upgrade will make the car-park safer and more useable for this valued community centre.

 

+  Need help?

If you have questions about the application process, please contact us by email or call 1300 360 441.