Contents
1.INTRODUCTION
1.1Program Background
1.2Program Objectives
1.3Priority Target Groups
2.ELIGIBILITY
2.1Organisations eligible to apply for funding
2.2Project eligibility
2.3Ineligible projects
2.4Level of Funding Available
2.5Eligibility Checklist
3.APPLICATION PROCESS
3.1How to Submit an Application
3.2Closing Date for Applications
3.3Lodgment of your Application
4.ASSESSMENT AND APPROVAL PROCESS
4.1Assessment of Applications
4.2Assessment Criteria
4.3Approval Process
4.4Probity
5.SUCCESSFUL AND UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
5.1Requirements and Responsibilities of Successful Applicants
5.2Unsuccessful Applicants
5.3Complaint and Appeal Process
6.APPLICATION FORM
1.INTRODUCTION
1.1Program Background
Since 1998, funds from offender employment programs across the State have been set aside for organisations which support victims of crime. Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) provides a percentage of the level of sales achieved by Corrective Services Industries (CSI) to the Victims of Violent Crime Grants Program (VOVCGP).
The VOVCGP was developed through consultation with relevant community agencies, the Victims of Crime Bureau and various other government departments.
1.2Program Objectives
- To ensure that a portion of the profits from offender employment programs (through CSI) are allocated to victims of crime support organisations so that offenders fulfil their responsibility to make reparation to the community.
- To ensure that a portion of the profits from offender employment programs (through CSI) are utilised to contribute to the provision of appropriate projects and services which address the specific needs of victims of violent crime.
1.3Priority Target Groups
The Program is open to applications that aim to assist any group of people who have been victims of violent crime. However, applications that seek to assist the following groups of people will receive priority status under the Program: -
- Children & youth;
- People in rural and isolated areas;
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people;
- People from a non-English Speaking Background;
- People with disabilities; and
- Older people.
2.ELIGIBILITY
2.1Organisations eligible to apply for funding
2.1.1Applicant Organisations must be ‘not-for-profit’, non-government entities, operating in New South Wales.
In reference to this program, this means: -
a) Not for profit - The organisation must not be a profit-making entity - all financial equity remains with the organisation and management committee members are unpaid.
b) Non-government entity -The organisation must not be operated by government although it is usual for the majority of funding to be provided by government.
c) Operating in NSW -The organisation must have a New South Wales address and provide a service to NSW residents.
2.1.2Applicant Organisations must be an incorporated entity and hold an Australian Business Number (ABN).
This means that the organisation is either: -
- Incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1984; or
- Incorporated under any other legislation; or
- A company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001; or
- A cooperative registered under the Cooperatives Act 1992;
and
- Has an ABN.
If your organisation is not incorporated or does not hold an ABN, possibilities for a partnership project could be explored with an organisation, which meets the requirements.
2.1.3Applicant organisations must be able to demonstrate a sound record in the administration and implementation of services for victims of violent crime or be able to demonstrate that they have specialist expertise with the client group that the project is proposed for.
Organisations must be able to demonstrate that they have a solid background in developing, implementing and providing services for victims of violent crime. It is not sufficient that an organisation provides a service to the general community of whom some clients may be victims of violent crime. To be eligible, the organisation must provide a service that is specifically targeted to meeting the needs of victims of violent crime.
Alternatively, an organisation may be able to demonstrate that it has specialist expertise with a particular client group that a project is proposed for although the organisation does not currently operate a specific program for victims of violent crime e.g. Aboriginal organisations, intellectual disability services. Applications from organisations in isolated areas without specialist programs for victims of violent crime will also be considered if specialist programs are not available from other services in the area.
Examples of eligible organisations: -
- An organisation set up explicitly to assist victims of violent crime e.g. a domestic violence service, a homicide support group, a child abuse support service.
- An organisation which administers a program specifically targeted to meeting the needs of victims of violent crime e.g. a neighbourhood centre with a domestic violence program, a community legal centre with a court support program (note: it is the specialist program that is able to apply for the funding e.g. the domestic violence program or the court support program).
- An organisation set up to provide support services to a particular client group which can demonstrate that their expertise can assist in the delivery of appropriate programs to that particular group of victims of violent crime e.g. a support service for the intellectually disabled which seeks to conduct a specific project relating to being a person with an intellectual disability who is a victim of violent crime.
- A community support service e.g. family support or neighbourhood centre, which seeks to operate a project aimed at victims of violent crime in an isolated area where it can be demonstrated that specialist programs are not already available in the area.
Examples of organisations unlikely to be eligible: -
- A community support service which accepts victims of violent crime as clients but which does not have a specific victim support program in place or is not seeking funding for a specific victims support project.
- A family support service without a specific victim support program which recognises that a high percentage of its clients are victims of violent crime.
- Any organisation/program where the focus of the service does not specifically seek to address the emotional issues relating to being a victim of violent crime e.g. a housing provider where the major focus is on appropriate housing support and movement toward independent living.
2.1.4Organisations must have completed all requirements of any previous funding rounds
Organisations that have received funding under previous rounds of the VOVCGP, must have satisfied all the requirements set out in the formal letter of offer and Memorandum of Understanding to be eligible to make a further application under the Program.
2.2Project eligibility
Funding is available to conduct ‘one-off’ projects or to purchase resources, which will benefit victims of violent crime.
One-Off Projects
A one-off project is defined as a project which: -
- Has a clear start and a finish;
- Contains objectives (i.e. what the project seeks to achieve) and strategies (how you will attempt to achieve the objectives); and
- Has a demonstrable outcome e.g. a report, a revised policy, a pamphlet, a book, a kit etc.
Resources
Alternatively, organisations are able to submit an application to purchase resource items that will benefit victims of violent crime. A wide range of resource items have been approved under the Program in the past. These have included: -
- Child safety and playground equipment;
- Re-printing of existing brochures (note: if the document requires to be updated or revised this would be considered a project);
- Workshop tools and equipment;
- Computer equipment;
- Books, videos, resource kits; and
- Television/video equipment.
While any item will be considered, applicants will be required to ensure that they clearly demonstrate the benefit of purchasing the resources for victims of violent crime who utilise their service.
2.3Ineligible projects
The funding available under this Program aims to assist the provision of support services to victims of violent crime rather than to actually provide a direct service. During the development phase of this Program, it was identified that a large number of organisations with victim support workers/programs already exist in the community. However, funding for community organisations/workers to carry out specific projects or to purchase much needed resources for their client group had been difficult to locate. The VOVCGP seeks to meet this need and add value to victim support services already in existence.
Given the above, ineligible activities would include: -
- Direct service provision e.g. employment of a domestic violence support worker, employment of a position to coordinate a support group;
- Recurrent projects/programs e.g. ongoing therapeutic workshops/groups; and
- Costs that would normally be involved in the running of ongoing services and programs e.g. rent of premises.
2.4Level of Funding Available
Individual applications for funding should not exceed $15,000.
2.5Eligibility Checklist
Is our organisation eligible to make an application? Use the following checklist to find out.
1. Our Organisation is:-
- Not for profit; AND
- Non Government Entity; AND
- Operating in NSW
2. Our organisation is incorporated:-
- Yes
3. Is/Does our Organisation:-
- Set up to assist victims of violent crime; OR
- Administer a program specifically targeted to meeting the needs of victims of violent crime; OR
- Set up to provide support services to a particular client group which can demonstrate that their expertise can assist in the delivery of appropriate programs to that particular group of victims of violent crime,
4. Our application is for:-
- A one off project with a clear start and finish date, objectives and strategies and a demonstrable outcome; OR
- The purchase of resource item/s which will benefit clients.
3.APPLICATION PROCESS
3.1How to Submit an Application
Applications must be submitted using the Funding Application Form, which is contained in this document from page 12.
The application is to be submitted electronically (see 3.3 below) and four complete copies of the application are to be submitted in hard copy (see 3.3 below), including all relevant attachments (see page 21).
The FAP will consider only one application per organisation each year (note: a different branch would be considered a different organisation).
Karina Stuart, Co-ordinator, Community Funding Programs can be contacted on telephone number (02)8346 1004 or via email at r assistance in completing the Funding Application Form.
3.2Closing Date for Applications
The closing date for applications is 5pm, Thursday 11th November 2010.
3.3Lodgment of your Application
Your application must be lodged electronically through the NSW Government eTendering system ( This is a mandatory requirement for all tenders. Your organisation will need to register on the website and then ‘Lodge a Response’ to the Tender which will be available under Department of Justice and Attorney General/Corrective Services NSW. Your response must be lodged prior to 5pm Thursday 11 November 2010.
Four hard copies of your application (only one copy of your annual report) marked confidential are also required to be delivered through one of the following methods):-
- In an Express Post Envelope (available from Post Offices) postmarked no later than Tuesday 9 November 2010; OR
- Hand delivered to the Tender Box prior to 5pm,Thursday 11 November 2010.
Hand delivered applications / Posted applications
Applications should be addressed to:
Expression of Interest
Co-ordinator, Community Funding Program
Corrective Services NSW
TENDER REF 0910-16
Ground Level, HenryDeaneBuilding
20 Lee Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000 / Applications should be addressed to:
Expression of Interest
Co-ordinator, Community Funding Program
Corrective Services NSW
TENDER REF 0910-16
GPO BOX 31
SYDNEY NSW 2001
IMPORTANT NOTICE
It is the responsibility of the Applicant to make contact with Karina Stuart, Co-ordinator, Community Funding Programs on telephone (02)8346 1004 to ensure that the Application has been received within the time frame.
Late Applications will not be accepted unless CSNSW is satisfied that the submission of a late application will not comprise the integrity and competitiveness of the selection process.
In order to ensure the fair and equal treatment of all applications,applications that are received late or received on the final day for submission and are incomplete will not be considered by the FAP. An application would be considered incomplete if it did not include a completed Application Form and all of the required attachments.
By calling for applications, CSNSW is not committed to provide funding to any prospective organisation.
4.ASSESSMENT AND APPROVAL PROCESS
4.1Assessment of Applications
Applications will be assessed by a Funding Advisory Panel (FAP) consisting of CSNSW officers, community representatives and a representative from the Victims of Crime Bureau.
4.2Assessment Criteria
Assessment is broken into two sections: -
- The FAP will make a determination as to whether the organisation has proven it is eligible to submit an application. Applicants not assessed as being eligible will be culled.
- The remaining applications will then be competitively assessed against the following criteria: -
- Demonstrated level of need - the application clearly outlines how the need for the project was established;
- Use of evidence- the project should be based on strong evidence about what works in assisting victims of violent crime;
- Clear benefits for victims of violent crime;
- Well planned;
- Cost effectiveness;
- Innovation (project applications);
- Complementary to, but not a replication of existing services and projects (project applications);
- Well defined, realistic and deliverable objectives/outcomes (project applications); and
- The provision of assistance to priority target groups as set in 1.3 of this package.
4.3Approval Process
Following the assessment process, the FAP will forward funding recommendations to the Minister.
Once a decision is made, applicants will be advised in writing of the outcome of their application.
4.4Probity
It is essential that competing organisations, interested groups and the public are able to have complete confidence that the funding application and assessment process is conducted in a manner which has due regard for probity. To promote probity and transparency, a two-part approach has been adopted within this process and is outlined below.
4.4.1 Disclosure of Functional Roles and Responsibilities
The following is a brief description of the roles and responsibilities of involved parties within the application/assessment process: -
Co-ordinator, Community Funding Programs
The Co-ordinator, Community Funding Programs collates applications, checks that all documentation is provided by applicants, provides advice and assistance to applicants, organises the sitting of the FAP, arranges advice to applicants as to success and reports feedback recorded by the FAP to requesting unsuccessful agencies.
Funding Advisory Panel (FAP)
The FAP assesses all applications against the criteria to determine each applicant’s relative capacity to carry out the nominated project, makes recommendations and records the rationale for recommendations made.
Minister
The Minister is responsible for final approval of the projects under the program.
4.4.2 Confidentiality, Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest and Ethical behaviour
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is acknowledged as being important to maintain the integrity of the application and assessment process. Therefore, all applications received by the Co-ordinator, Community Funding Programs will be held in confidence prior to submission to the FAP and no information contained within those applications will be provided to any external party.
Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest
Members of the FAP will be required to disclose any conflict of interest, which may influence their decisions within the assessment process. The holding of membership by any FAP member to any applicant organisation being assessed by the FAP will render the representative ineligible to participate on that panel.
Ethical Behaviour
Members of the FAP will be provided with and required to sign an agreement in relation to ethical behaviour and disclosure.
5.SUCCESSFUL AND UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
5.1Requirements and Responsibilities of Successful Applicants
5.1.1Adhere to Conditions of Grant
A formal letter of offer and Memorandum of Understanding will be forwarded to successful applicants setting out the conditions of approval.
Please contact the Co-ordinator, Community Funding Programs if you wish to obtain a copy of an example of the likely conditions of grant.
5.1.2Effective Project Management & Oversight
Successful organisations are responsible for effective project management including: -
- The administration and financial management of the project;
- Accepting all legal and other responsibilities as employers of any staff involved with the approved project; and
- Fulfilling any necessary reporting requirements specified in the formal letter of offer and Memorandum of Understanding.
All personnel employed by the organisation in whatever capacity are the sole responsibility of the organisation. CSNSW will not indemnify the organisation in respect of such personnel for any act or claim arising from such employment.
5.1.3Goods and Services Tax (GST)
CSNSW will gross up grants awarded to include a 10% GST component to meet the requirements of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) introduced by the Commonwealth Government in July 2000. Successful organisations will be required to remit the 10% GST component to the Australian Taxation Office (e.g. if your application is to conduct a project costing $10,000, CSNSW will gross up the grant by 10% bringing the total grant to $11,000). The organisation would be responsible for remitting the GST component (i.e. $1,000) to the ATO.
5.2Unsuccessful Applicants
Applicants who are unsuccessful may request feedback in relation to their application after having received written notification. The Co-ordinator, Community Funding Programs can be contacted in this regard on telephone number (02) 8346 1004 or via email at .
5.3Complaint and Appeal Process
All general complaints or suggestions for improvement in relation to the application and assessment process should be directed in the first instance to the Co-ordinator, Community Funding Programs.
In the event that an applicant wishes to appeal the recommendation made by the FAP, the applicant must submit a detailed letter to the Co-ordinator, Community Funding Programs, which clearly outlines the grounds on which the appeal is being made. Appeals should only be lodged on appropriate grounds in relation to a concern about the fairness/probity of the process, for example, a belief that a conflict of interest has occurred within the FAP. A belief that the applicant’s submission was ‘better than’ the successful agency’s submission would not represent appropriate grounds for appeal.
Corrective Services NSW