Veteran Wellbeing Grants

For Stream A Small Grants and Stream B Large Grants, to be eligible to apply you must be either:

• an ESO applying in your own right
• an ESO applying as the lead member of a consortium
• a non-ESO applying as the lead member of a consortium with at least one ESO

and

• one of the legal entity types listed in the guidelines.

An organisation’s entity type is validated through their ABN.

To be eligible you must be one of the following legal entity types:

• Company
• Cooperative
• Incorporated Association
• Indigenous Corporation
• Statutory Entity.

Applications from Trustees on behalf of a Trust and consortia are acceptable, as long as:

• at least one of the members is an ESO
• the lead applicant has an eligible entity type as per the list above
• the lead applicant is solely accountable to the Commonwealth for the delivery of grant activities.

Applications from organisations with overdue DVA acquittals at the closing date and time of this grant opportunity will not be funded. Please note: this only applies to overdue acquittals. If you have a current DVA grant agreement with an acquittal due date after the closing date for this grant opportunity, you are eligible to apply.

All not for profit organisations who apply for this grant opportunity must be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

You are not eligible to apply if you are a/an:

• Corporate Commonwealth Entity
• Corporate State or Territory Entity
• International Entity
• Local Government Entity
• Non-corporate Commonwealth Entity
• Non-corporate Commonwealth Statutory Authority
• Non-corporate State or Territory Entity
• Non-corporate State or Territory Statutory Authority
• Partnership
• Person
• Sole Trader
• Unincorporated Association.

Please note: The above list is not definitive. If your entity type is not listed in the legal entity types above, you are not eligible to apply and your application will not be assessed.

You are also not eligible if you:

• are an organisation, or your project partner is an organisation, included on the National Redress Scheme’s website on the list of ‘Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme
• are an organisation, or your project partner is an organisation, listed as non-compliant under the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 at the closing date and time of this grant opportunity (if applicable)
• receive funding from another government source that will entirely meet the costs of the project proposed under this grant opportunity
• are a Not for Profit Organisation that is not registered with the ACNC.

See the guidelines for full details of eligible organisations for VWG support.

Stream A Small Grants category

Eligible expenditure for Stream A Small Grants may include, but is not limited to:

• project staff salaries and on-costs and trainer/facilitator/presenter costs that can be directly attributed to the provision of the project
• minor building improvements or maintenance to existing buildings may be funded if they are integral to the project. These can include:
• upgrade of toilet facilities including disabled access
• provision of disabled access to a building (for example, ramps and access doors)
• upgrade of kitchen facilities
• repair of roofs
• repair of floors
• provision of external shade areas (for example, pergolas or verandas)
• operating expenses directly related to the project, such as:
• communications (telephone/internet/captioning)
• facility hire/rental
• information technology (computer/website/software)
• public liability insurance for the project
• postage, stationery and printing
• accounting and auditing
• limited domestic travel/accommodation costs
• ingredients intrinsic to cooking or nutrition workshops/projects. Meals/food for other activities are not eligible expenditure and will be removed from your funding request if included
• assets that can be reasonably attributed to meeting activity deliverables, including the purchase of minor tools and equipment
• replacement items (for example, replacing equipment such as heating/cooling equipment, audio/visual equipment or kitchen appliances)
• volunteer expenses, including expenses relating to training to ensure volunteers are appropriately qualified/accredited (for example, Workplace Health and Safety training and First Aid training)
• limited project participant accommodation costs.

Stream B Large Grants Category

Eligible expenditure for Stream B Large Grants may include, but is not limited to all expenses listed above for the Stream A Small Grants category but also includes the requirement for grants of $100,000 or more to undertake project evaluation.

Projects of $100,000 or more must be evaluated once they are completed (see section 12.2 in the guidelines). This evaluation may be funded as part of the grant but must not exceed 10% of the total grant amount sought and must be supported by a detailed quote.

You cannot use the grant for:

• business as usual expenses, including to subsidise the general ongoing costs of an organisation such as electricity, phone, rent and consumables
• ongoing wages or salaries that are not directly attributed to the provision of the project as per the grant agreement
• projects that are strongly focused on delivering primarily research, medical or clinical services and treatments
• projects that aim to produce commercial profit (either directly or indirectly)
• facilities or activities that could reasonably be expected to be provided by the applicant
• activities or events that are commemorative in nature
• the provision of meals, food, catering, merchandise, gifts and prizes
• equipment, administration and salaries or other expenses that are deemed to primarily support veterans’ advocacy
• the same activity or project you have received funding for previously from DVA or any other government agency unless there are demonstrated enhancements
• activities for which other Commonwealth, state, territory or local government bodies have primary responsibility
• activities, projects or services which are fully funded by another agency
• activities that are not integral to the project
• projects that have already commenced and retrospective activity costs
• renovation work to smoking, bistro, bar and/or gambling areas or ancillary areas (for example, bistro function areas or creche facilities for patrons using these services)
• purchase of land or property
• building works that are cosmetic only in nature, including landscaping
• capital works for new or replacement buildings
• costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application or related documentation
• costs associated with hosting, arranging or attending conferences or expos
• vehicle on-road costs or running costs such as fuel, delivery fees, stamp duty, warranty, registration and insurance
• overseas travel, projects or activities
• activities or items not consistent with DVA’s Social Health Strategy 2015–2023 – for example, the upgrade and/or refurbishment of bar and gaming facilities, establishment of outdoor smoking facilities, and so on. Further information on DVA’s Health Promotion initiatives can be found on the DVA website.

See the guidelines for full details of expenditure eligible for VWG support.

All 3 criteria have equal weighting (33.33% per criterion).

Stream A Small Grants assessment criteria

Criterion 1: Project need and suitability (maximum of 4,000 characters – approximately 600 words)

Describe your project and why it is needed.

Your response must address all of the following 4 points:

1. What activities will you undertake and how many people in the veteran community do you expect will participate in the activities (what will you do)? If you are including other community groups such as First Responders or other non-veteran cohorts, please identify the percentage of those anticipated to be involved in the activity compared to veterans.
2. How have you identified whether this grant activity is needed by the veteran community and who you are targeting? How did you determine this (who will it help)?
   Note: target group examples could include all veterans, at risk veterans, transitioning veterans, younger veterans, veterans’ families.
3. Provide supporting information that demonstrates the project need to address either:

• • an identified need, gap, risk or issue for veterans, or
  • for renovation work, how it will improve, increase or enhance the use of the facility or services to be delivered to veterans (how will it help)?

4. In what geographic location(s) will the activity be undertaken and how has this been determined in terms of the greatest veteran needs (where and why)?

Criterion 2: Achieving outcomes (maximum of 3,000 characters – approximately 450 words)

Describe how the target group(s) will benefit and how you will achieve program outcomes.

Your response must address all of the following:

1. Describe the outcomes you expect to achieve from your project, and how do these relate to the VWG Program outcomes? A minimum of 2 outcomes must be addressed (why is it important and what will change)? For your reference, the VWG Program outcomes are to deliver projects that:

• • fund organisations that can sustainably deliver activities and projects to the veteran community now and into the future (such as a project with co-funding and/or in-kind contributions)
  • increase opportunities for members of the veteran community to engage in social and community activities and/or improve health behaviours and support healthy places and safe environments
  • support the development of well-researched and tailored activities and projects for veterans, with a particular focus on activities and projects supporting those at risk of experiencing poor mental health
  • increase collaboration amongst organisations and expand activities and projects and harness existing expertise for the benefit of the veteran community
  • increase awareness of veterans’ issues and/or services within the veteran community.

For small value equipment funding requests of $5,000 or less only you can address one of the above outcomes and the following requirement:

• • provide support equipment that will enable service delivery of one of the above outcomes.

2. How will you know the project has been successful and how will this be evaluated and reported?

Criterion 3: Ability of organisation to deliver (maximum of 4,000 characters – approximately 600 words)

Describe your organisation’s experience delivering projects that benefit the target group(s).

Your response must describe each of the following:

1. Your organisation’s history of past performance or experience in delivering similar projects, including the outcomes achieved (what your organisation offers).
2. Your organisation’s community knowledge, links, networks and partnerships.
3. Outline how you will leverage these networks to successfully deliver the project (how your organisation is connected to the community).
4. For how your organisation plans for success, describe:

• • what project risks your specific activity will have
  • how you will manage them
  • how you plan to deliver the project within the 12 month activity period.

Note: risk is not required to be addressed for the purchase of low value equipment/assets and funding requests of $5,000 or less.

Stream B Large Grants assessment criteria

• If applying for less than $100,000, you must address assessment criteria 1, 2 and 3 only. All 3 criteria will have equal weighting (33.33% per criterion).
• If applying for $100,000 or more, you must address assessment criteria 1, 2, 3 and 4. All 4  criteria will have equal weighting (25% per criterion).

Criterion 1: Project need and suitability (maximum of 4,000 characters – approximately 600 words)

Describe your project and why it is needed.

Your response must address all of the following:

1. What activities will you undertake and how many people in the veteran community do you expect will participate in the activities (what will you do)? If you are including other community groups such as First Responders or other non-veteran cohorts, please identify the percentage of those anticipated to be involved in the activity compared to veterans.
2. How have you identified whether this grant activity is needed by the veteran community and who you are targeting? How did you determine this (who will it help)?
   Note: target group examples could include all veterans, at risk veterans, transitioning veterans, younger veterans, veterans’ families.
3. Provide supporting information that demonstrates the project need to address either:

• • an identified need, gap, risk or issue for veterans, or
  • for renovation work, how it will improve, increase or enhance the use of the facility or activities and projects to be delivered to veterans (how will it help?)

4. In what geographic location(s) will the activity be undertaken how has this been determined in terms of the greatest veteran needs? (where and why?)

Criterion 2: Achieving outcomes (maximum of 4,000 characters – approximately 600 words)

Describe how the target group(s) will benefit and how you will achieve program outcomes.

Your response must address all of the following:

1. Describe the outcomes you expect to achieve from your project, and how do these relate to the VWG Program outcomes below. A minimum of 3 outcomes must be addressed (why is it important and what will change)? For your reference, the VWG Program outcomes are to deliver projects that :

• • fund organisations that can sustainably deliver activities and projects to the veteran community now and into the future (such as a project with co-funding and/or in-kind contributions)
  • increase opportunities for members of the veteran community to engage in social and community activities and/or improve health behaviours and support healthy places and safe environments
  • support the development of well-researched and tailored activities and projects for veterans, with a particular focus on activities and projects supporting those at risk of experiencing poor mental health
  • increase collaboration amongst organisations and expand activities and projects and harness existing expertise for the benefit of the veteran community
  • increase awareness of veterans’ issues and/or activities and projects within the veteran community.

2. How will you know the project has been successful and how will this be evaluated and reported?

Criterion 3: Ability of organisation to deliver (maximum of 4,000 characters – approximately 600 words)

Describe your organisation’s experience delivering projects that benefit the target group(s).

Your response must describe all of the following:

1. Your organisation’s history of past performance or experience in delivering similar projects, including the outcomes achieved (what your organisation offers).
2. Your organisation’s community knowledge, links, networks and partnerships.
3. Outline how you will leverage these networks to successfully deliver the project (how your organisation is connected to the community).
4. For how your organisation plans for success, describe:

• • what project risks your specific activity will have
  • how you will manage them
  • how you plan to deliver the project within the 12 month activity period.

Note: For activities/projects of $100,000 or more, your response must provide sufficient detail to demonstrate your ability to reduce or manage the potential risks.

Criterion 4: Performance Measures and Monitoring – ability to measure, report and meet targets (for funding of $100,000 or more ONLY)

For grant funding requests of $100,000 or more, you must describe how you will meet the measurable targets and measure achievement of deliverables for the veteran community. Provide specific detail on each measurement and how you will manage and report.

You must complete the template attached with the Stream B application form when responding to this criterion.

1. Mandatory targets to include are the achievement of:

• • >75% of participants completed the whole activity
  • >50% of feedback sought from veteran participants, with 95% positive feedback
  • >50% of participating veteran participants with demonstrated improvements against program objectives as appropriate. Note: a benchmark measurement will need to be taken at the start of the activity
  • <10% variance on forecast costs.

2. Applicants should include up to 3 additional targets and goals that are specific to their activity type, for example, if you are training veterans in a new skill you could include a target that >80% of participants demonstrated competency in the new skill.

See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.

You must read and comprehend the guidelines, terms and conditions, sample grant agreement, and the questions and answers document.

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

• specific wellbeing benefits for veterans and/or families that will be enhanced
• how grant funding will enable the delivery of these benefits
• the project’s sustainability after the grant funding is expended
• services currently provided to the veteran community and their effectiveness, and how grant funding will enable the delivery of new, improved, or innovative services
• evidence of gaps in veteran wellbeing services, consultations conducted to understand veterans’ needs, and the projected increase in beneficiaries

Applicants must:

• Read and understand the guidelines.
• Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
• Provide complete information requirements.

Failing to provide the below attachments will result in your application being considered non-compliant and will not proceed to assessment. If a mandatory template is not used, your application will be considered non-compliant and will not proceed to assessment.

Please note: There is a 2 MB limit for each attachment.

Stream A and B Grants

All of the following documents must be attached to each application for it to be considered compliant and for it to proceed to assessment.

• If applying as the lead member of a consortium, it is mandatory to complete a ‘Letter of Declaration’ on the mandatory template provided.
• All grant applications must include costing evidence or quote for budget items listed.
• Refer to section 5.2 in the guidelines. If you are applying for building works you must attach a detailed quote with costs itemised and a scope of the work to be undertaken, proof of ownership or owner permission, relevant council approval (if required), a simple floor plan for your building works, consolidated into one document. Evidence of council approval or a quote completed by a qualified tradesperson or engineer that includes the council approval requirements must be included in the quote. If council approval has not been applied for, provide a quote from a qualified tradesperson or engineer for the works that includes council approval requirements. The quote must also include a realistic project timeframe and planned completion date to ensure the work will be completed within 12 months.
• Active public liability insurance certificate of currency. This coverage must be maintained during the activity period. As per section 4.7 in the guidelines, evidence of public liability insurance is required for all activities where people are involved, including tradesmen. If your public liability expires prior to the grant approval date, evidence of insurance renewal may be requested.
• For grants under $100,000, project evaluation is an ineligible expense.

Additional requirements for Stream B Large Grants of $100,000 or more

All of the attachments required under Stream A.

In addition, for grants of $100,000 or more, the following documents must be attached to your application for it to be considered compliant and for it to proceed to assessment:

• Criterion 4 – Performance measures and monitoring completed document.

If you are applying for project evaluation costs, a detailed quote must be provided with the application. Note: all projects of $100,000 or more must provide an evaluation report at the end of the project. Evaluation costs must not exceed 10% of the total grant amount sought through the VWG Program.

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

Please read the below carefully:

• Each stream has its own online application form that you can access on the GrantConnect website. Please ensure you use the correct application form for the stream(s) you wish to apply for.
• You may submit multiple applications for each stream under this grant opportunity (however, a separate application form must be completed for each project).
• If you wish to apply for both streams, a separate application must be submitted for each stream using the relevant application form.
• If you are submitting multiple applications under either the same or different streams, you must propose a fundamentally different initiative or project for each application. Funding will not be provided for multiple applications for the same project.
• Only the latest accepted application will progress if you:
  1. apply for the same project (regardless of whether the applications are received under the same stream or different streams)
  2. apply for the same project as an individual organisation (in your own right) and for the same project as the lead member of a consortium
• If multiple applicants apply for the same activity and provider, all the applications will be considered competitively against each other to determine the best application to fund. For example, if 2 different organisations apply for a skills workshop in the same location using the same provider they will be considered competitively against one another.

Applicants must complete the relevant online application form(s) on GrantConnect at grants.gov.au.

Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this program and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.