Council and registered Clubs make annual grants available to the community under Section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993 and under the Registered Clubs Act 1976 respectively. City of Ryde and local registered Clubs qualifying for Community Development and Support Expenditure Scheme (Gladesville Bowling and Sports Club, Gladesville RSL and Community Club, North Ryde RSL Community Club, Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club and Ryde Ex-Services Club) have joined together to form the Ryde Community Grants Committee to oversee an annual community grants process.

The objectives of the Program are to :

1. support innovative responses to identified community issues;
2. stimulate community activity in meeting the needs of local residents;
3. encourage creative and innovative approaches to community development;
4. encourage high quality service delivery;
5. assist the development of skills in the local community.

Any application for funding must be able to demonstrate that it meets at least one of these objectives

EXPENDITURE ON SPECIFIC COMMUNITY WELFARE, SOCIAL SERVICES, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES

Expenditure within this Category is for projects and/or services that contribute to the welfare and broader social fabric of the local community, and are aimed at improving the living standards of low income and disadvantaged people.

1. Community welfare and social services

Expenditure under this heading could include assisting groups providing:

 amily support 
 supported emergency or low-cost accommodation 
 counselling services
 child care and child protection
 aged, disability and youth services
 services to victims of natural or other disasters
 volunteer emergency services organisations (eg. surf life saving clubs, bush fire brigades)

2. Community development

Expenditure under this heading could include assisting groups providing:

 neighbourhood centre activities 
 community education programs 
 youth drop-in facilities 
 community transport services 
 tenants' services 
 state-wide or regional services developing social policies and
providing advocacy for local community services

3. Community health services

Examples of qualifying community health services expenditure could include:

 early childhood health 
 child and family services 
 community nursing 
 therapy
 community mental health services 
 health promotions initiatives 
 drug and alcohol services 
 palliative care/ women’s health/dental/disability services 
 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services 
 home and community care services and disability services

Funding for buildings and equipment for in-patient care may be recognised as Category 1 expenditure in certain limited circumstances, so long as the expenditure is identified by the CDSE Local Committee to be of very considerable potential importance and value to the local community.  Otherwise such grants will only be recognised as Category 2 expenditure.  Funding for medical research is not eligible as Category 1 expenditure.

4. Employment assistance activities

Expenditure under this heading could include assisting groups providing:

 employment placement services 
 group training 
 employment advocacy groups 
 community enterprises 
 local job creation schemes


Guides for decision making

a. Consideration will be given to programs, projects or services that assist people with disabilities, older people, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, women and young people.
 
b. Generally, donations to programs, projects or services operated by non-profit, community organisations are regarded as specific community welfare, community development, social service and employment assistance activities. In considering funding assistance, it is critical to ensure that a demonstrated social need is being met. It is also important not to give funding preference to an activity that can be readily assisted by any existing Government funding program.

c. The Ryde Community Grants Program Committee (CDSELC) will assess the suitability of the submissions and the capacities of the applicant organisations.

d. To determine the allocation of funds, the Committee will:

(i) ascertain an appropriate mix between one-off assistance and longer term funding commitments; and

(ii) ensure a spread of donations, as far as possible, across a variety of benefiting organisations and causes.
 

1. Organisations applying for funds should be based within the boundaries of the City of Ryde and/or principally serve local residents.

2. Organisations applying for grants must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) obtained from the Australian Tax Office.

3. Evidence is required showing that the organisation is community-based and not conducted for private gain.

4. Applications must address local community needs.

5. An organisation in receipt of a Ryde Community Grant must expend those funds on the project as outlined in the application.

6. Provision of a grant must not lead to the organisation becoming dependent on the Ryde Community Grants Committee for future allocations of funds.

An application must include the following:

• a copy of the organisation’s most recent Annual Report, or a statement of he   organisation’s activities during the previous 12 months;
• a copy of the organisation’s Statement of Aims and Objectives; and,
• the organisation’s ABN and confirmation of GST registration where applicable.

7. An organisation applying for the first time should attach a copy of its Constitution.

9. An Office Bearer of the organisation must sign and submit the Statutory Declaration Form attached to this application for funds.

N.B. Grants over $3,000 are not normally considered unless exceptional circumstances prevail. An organisation wishing to apply for an amount in excess of $3,000 is advised to make an appointment to discuss the project with the Manager - Community Services - Kevin Moloney - phone 9952 8310.

 1. Grants will not be made for:
• money already spent;
• recurrent salary costs; and,
• party political and religious purposes.
 
2. Other Community Development and Support Expenditure limitations
for Registered Clubs

Such expenditure will be disallowed if it falls within the following areas:

a) Sporting-related expenditure as follows:
professional or semi-professional sporting bodies or persons where all or part of the expenditure is to be used for directly financing the professional or semi-professional sporting activity; and/or
non-professional sporting expenditure that is used to make monetary payments to the sports persons or persons directly participating in the sporting activity;
b) Professional entertainers and entertainment provided for patrons of the club and used for the purpose of directly promoting activities associated with the commercial operation of the club;
c) Expenditure on operating a club's commercial activities and expenditure that is directly related to a club fulfilling its obligations under the requirements of its licence and the various Acts and Regulations that apply to its commercial operations (eg. Occupational Health and Safety);
d) Capital expenditure only (not non-capital expenditure) on club facilities where:
the project is primarily commercial in nature; or
it is directly related to the upgrading or enhancement of gaming facilities; or
the facility is operated on a profit basis.

April
Application Forms and Program Guidelines distributed to interested groups

May 
Applications on the prescribed forms to be submitted by 7 May 2008
June
Applications are assessed against the Program objectivesJuly 
July
Applications assessed as suitable for funding are recommended to Council
August 
Successful applicants are informed by mail and invited to attend a Grants Presentation Ceremony, to be determined by the individual Club or Council.  Cheques distributed.

Please read the attached guidelines carefully before filling in  the application form. 

When you have completed the application form, please return it by 7 May 2008 to:

GENERAL MANAGER
RYDE COMMUNITY  GRANTS CITY OF RYDE
LOCKED BAG 2069
NORTH RYDE NSW 1670

Should you require any further information about the Ryde Community Grants Program please refer to CDSE Funding on www.clubsnsw.com.au  or contact:
Manager - Community Services
Tel: 9952 8310
This publication can be made available in alternative format on request to assist persons with disabilities.