Up to $150,000 to encourage and support innovative solutions to significant social and environmental challenges, addressing key issues facing communities now and in the future.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation – Innovation Grants?
The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation – Innovation Grants (LMCF-IG) is designed to encourage and support innovative solutions to significant social and environmental challenges.
The program focuses on three main Impact Areas:
- Homelessness & Affordable Housing
- Inclusive, Sustainable Economy & Jobs, and
- Healthy & Climate Resilient Communities
These grants provide crucial funding for both new ideas and the expansion of proven solutions.
LMCF-IG level of support
Seed Innovation Grants
- Up to $50,000
- No specific co-contribution is required.
Scaling-up Innovation Grants
- Up to $150,000
- No specific co-contribution is required.
LMCF-IG important dates
- This is closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
LMCF-IG objectives
The Innovation Grants aim to:
- Support the development and deployment of new solutions that address systemic social and environmental issues.
- Encourage the testing of new concepts and scaling of proven innovations.
- Promote collaborations that can drive meaningful and sustainable changes in communities.
Projects and expenditure eligible for LMCF-IG support
The specific grant type applied for will determine the scope and focus of the project:
Seed Innovation Grants: These grants are designed to support the early stages of innovative projects. They can provide funding to:
- Test a new concept or idea that could lead to significant service improvements or advancements in addressing major community issues.
- Conduct research to build a deeper understanding of an area or issue, which can inform program design, policy development, or philanthropic investment.
- Identify best practices that can be applied more broadly.
- Support the initial development phase of a social enterprise, helping to lay the groundwork for future growth and impact.
Scaling-up Innovation Grants: These grants are intended to expand or replicate innovations that have already proven successful on a smaller scale. They can provide funding to:
- Pilot or scale-up a new service model or social enterprise that has demonstrated potential for broader community or systemic impact.
- Apply new approaches to enhance service effectiveness and quality, thereby improving outcomes for a larger population.
- Increase the impact and efficiency of services by facilitating partnerships, mergers, or collaborations, such as sharing space or back-office support.
- Build a deeper understanding of emerging issues or areas through applied research, particularly research that can be directly applied in practice to inform policy or service delivery.
See the guidelines for full details of projects and expenditure eligible for LMCF-IG support.
Other LMCF-IG important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for LMCF-IG support
To be eligible, organisations must:
- Be endorsed as a Tax Concession Charity (TCC) and a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).
- Operate in Victoria, particularly Greater Melbourne, for projects under Homelessness & Affordable Housing and Healthy & Climate Resilient Communities.
- Operate in Victoria, NSW, or ACT for projects under Inclusive, Sustainable Economy & Jobs.
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
LMCF-IG assessment criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Alignment with the Foundation’s Granting Principles and Impact Area Outcomes.
- The design, outcomes, and feasibility of the project.
- The project team’s capacity and skills.
- Budget justification and value for money.
- The extent to which the innovation addresses climate change challenges and benefits disadvantaged communities.
See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.
How do I get the LMCF-IG?
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.
- Deliver the project as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Information to prepare for the LMCF-IG application
The program guidelines do not explicitly mention any specific documents or information to prepare for the application process. However, based on common practices for grant applications, it’s typically important to prepare the following:
- Detailed Project Proposal: This would include the project objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and alignment with the grant’s impact areas.
- Budget Breakdown: A detailed budget that justifies the funding requested, including any co-contributions if required.
- Organisational Information: Proof of eligibility, such as confirmation of your organisation’s Tax Concession Charity (TCC) and Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status.
- Evidence of Impact or Research: For Scaling-up Innovation Grants, evidence of the project’s success in a smaller context or initial research findings could be required.
- Partnership Agreements: If the project involves partnerships or collaborations, documentation of these arrangements might be necessary.
Applying for the LMCF-IG
Organisations interested in applying should submit their enquiries through the lmcf.org.au portal.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
LMCF-IG resources
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