Multicultural Storytime Grant Program

Successful organisations will be those that can deliver on the following four key objectives:

• Establishing new Multicultural Storytime programs across Victoria: Delivered in family friendly locations such as libraries, community centres, publicly funded language schools, kindergartens, Early Childhood Education and Care Centres and gathering places.
• Providing families with evidence-based culturally appropriate health information: Using culturally sensitive resources, families will have a sound understanding of health-related topics such as good nutrition, the importance of an active lifestyle, and oral hygiene. Encourage the use of culturally appropriate materials and resources during Multicultural Storytime sessions to promote inclusivity and relevance.
• Fostering connection to culture and language: Storytime will provide opportunities for families to explore and celebrate their own cultural heritage and the heritage of others. Storytime will promote positive self-identity, cultural pride, and a sense of belonging.
• Developing language and literacy skills: Promote early literacy skills through engaging storytelling techniques, interactive activities, and book sharing practices. Parents or caregivers are encouraged to reinforce language acquisition and literacy skills at home.

To be eligible for grant funding consideration, organisations must deliver the service in Victoria and match one or more of the following descriptions:

• A not-for-profit entity, registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic)
• A Victorian based Aboriginal entity (must be incorporated under Commonwealth or Victorian legislation including Victorian Aboriginal businesses and not-for-profit organisations, ACCOs, ACCHOs, and Traditional Owner groups and land trusts).
• Victorian local councils (applying in a partnership).

Additionally, to be eligible for funding, organisations must have:

• a current ABN
• a Certificate of Currency evidencing a Public Liability Insurance policy
• valid Working with Children Checks for all staff in a service delivery role.

Local councils are only eligible for funding if they apply in a partnership with or as an auspice for a multicultural or ethno-specific organisation.

Only one application from each organisation will be considered for funding by the department.

If your organisation is not incorporated or does not have an ABN, you may still apply if your application is supported by an eligible auspice organisation that has agreed to manage the grant on your behalf. You must include a letter of support from the auspice organisation in your application. Auspice organisations must meet all eligibility criteria.

Organisations that are ineligible to apply for funding include but are not limited to: individuals; commercial organisations; organisations in liquidation; sole traders; for-profit organisations; professional associations; Non-corporate Commonwealth Entity; Non-corporate State/Territory Entity; Non-corporate Commonwealth Statutory Authority; and organisations outside of Victoria.

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

Multicultural Storytime grants can be used to fund the following activities:

• Project management and staffing (capped at 20 per cent of the total funding): This includes salaries or wages for executive staff and administrative personnel.
• Service delivery staff including facilitators, coordinators or other staff with a direct service delivery role.
• Venue or facility hire (if required): May include expenses incurred to source locations to deliver Multicultural Storytime programs in a variety of locations.
• Equipment and supplies: Depending on the activities and services provided, there may be costs for purchasing or maintaining equipment, such as audio-visual systems, books, educational resources and supplies for Multicultural Storytime programs.
• Marketing and outreach: Promotional activities such as website development, online advertising, social media campaigns, community outreach events, and partnerships with relevant organisations.
• Online platform set-up and maintenance: Costs associated with the set-up and maintenance of the technology that will facilitate uploading Multicultural Storytime sessions to the websites of funded organisations or other digital platforms.
• Program resources: Developing and providing program materials, handouts, evidence-based educational resources, and tools for participants. These materials will only be covered if they meet the program objectives.

The funding provided by the Victorian Government may not be used for:

• Capital expenditure
• Running competitions, commercial or fundraising activities
• Purchasing or leasing a building or land
• Initiatives, activities or travel outside Victoria or funding for overseas people or organisations to visit Victoria
• Initiatives or activities that promote or are held for political purposes, or those that actively promote themes which contravene the objectives outlined in this specification
• Retrospective funding for projects or programs that have already started or have been completed, including any activity undertaken prior to the notification of the application outcome
• Activities and/or organisations eligible for funding under another State, Federal or Local Government program, and where the project is clearly within the programmatic responsibility of another Government program.

See the guidelines for full details of activities eligible for MSGP support.

1. Organisational/partnership capacity (20%)

• Demonstrated expertise and experience in delivering Multicultural Storytime OR evidence of sound planning to rapidly deliver a new service.
• Qualified staff and facilitators with appropriate training and knowledge.
• Capacity to work well in a partnership, including clearly defined and agreed roles and responsibilities (where relevant).
• Capacity to manage and sustain the delivery model over the four-year program period.

Examples of supporting information:

• vision
• history
• previous experience delivering community projects and working in partnership (if relevant)
• key staff members, highlighting their qualifications and experience.

2. Activity design and structure (20%)

• Clarity of activity content aims and alignment with program objectives.
• Comprehensive Multicultural Storytime program design which addresses the key objectives outlined on page 6 of these guidelines.
• Effective session format, duration and frequency.

Examples of supporting information:

• Detailed overview outlining specific story topics, schedules, locations of Multicultural Storytime programs, languages for the stories and schedules.

3. Collaboration and Innovation (20%)

• Partnership applications must provide details of the proposed partnership’s strength, reach and governance.
• Evidence of relationships with relevant sector agencies and/or referral pathways.
• Engagement in knowledge sharing, partnerships, or joint initiatives.
• Capacity to upload Multicultural Storytime sessions to funded organisations’ websites.

Examples of supporting information:

• Details of partnership governance arrangements (such as steering committee terms of reference and a partnership memorandum of understanding).
• List of current partnerships and collaborations with relevant sector agencies.
• Examples of joint initiatives or projects conducted in collaboration with other stakeholders.
• Current links to Multicultural Storytime sessions on funded organisations’ websites.

4. Participant outreach and engagement (20%)

• Ability to promote the service and reach the target population of families with children aged under five years.
• Strategies for inclusion of families from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, in particular from new and emerging communities OR strategies for inclusion of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families.
• Strategies for overcoming barriers to participation.
• Measures to ensure ongoing participant engagement and retention.

Examples of supporting information:

• Outreach materials such as information sheets, social media campaigns, or website information.
• Examples of successful recruitment efforts and strategies to maximise inclusion and overcome barriers to participation.

5. Budget and value for money (20%)

• Viable budget that outlines how the grant amount applied for would be expended over the period.
• Cost-effective approach to delivery of the required services.

Examples of supporting information:

• Detailed budget breakdown with clear allocations for various program components.
• Realistic cost estimates for budgeted goods and services that represent value for money.

See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.

You should read and understand the guidelines.

You need to ensure you are eligible for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.

You must successfully undergo the following assessment process:

• Eligibility assessment: All applications undergo an eligibility assessment against the eligibility criteria to determine whether the application should proceed for merit assessment.
• Merit assessment: Eligible applications will be assessed against the assessment criteria based on responses provided in the application form.
• Assessment panel: All applications are reviewed by an evaluation panel.

Prepare the following information:

• vision
• history
• previous experience delivering community projects and working in partnership (if relevant)
• key staff members, highlighting their qualifications and experience.
• detailed overview outlining specific story topics, schedules, locations of Multicultural Storytime programs, languages for the stories and schedules.
• details of partnership governance arrangements (such as steering committee terms of reference and a partnership memorandum of understanding).
• list of current partnerships and collaborations with relevant sector agencies.
• examples of joint initiatives or projects conducted in collaboration with other stakeholders.
• current links to Multicultural Storytime sessions on funded organisations’ websites.
• outreach materials such as information sheets, social media campaigns, or website information.
• examples of successful recruitment efforts and strategies to maximise inclusion and overcome barriers to participation.
• detailed budget breakdown with clear allocations for various program components.
• realistic cost estimates for budgeted goods and services that represent value for money.

All applicants must complete and submit a grant application online via the SmartyGrants portal.

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.