Community Service Organisation (CSO) Growth & Attraction Fund

Please read this information before completing the online application form.

Important information

• Name: CSO Growth and Attraction Fund 
• Status:  Closed
• Amount: $200,000 per year for two years 

At a Glance 

• Expressions of Interest (EOI) will open on 1 November 2024 for community service organisations (CSOs) for a new multi-year grant that aims to support the development of effective partnerships that explore changes and improve access to vital community services.
• Council is seeking initiatives that respond to community need and address service accessibility gaps which affect multiple organisations and have impact across the community services sector.
• This funding opportunity has been designed to: 
  • Provide opportunities for CSOs to model, test and scale whole services that deliver more joined-up user experiences, 
  • Identify and explore CSO partnership opportunities to attract additional investment, collaboration & cohesion, and 
  • Empower the community service sector to identify and respond appropriately to local needs. 
• Applicant organisations will have a track record of community sector collaboration, advocacy for priority groups and evidence-based evaluation.
• The total funding pool is $200,000 per year for two years. Eligible organisations can apply for funding up to this amount.

Strong EOIs will be invited to complete a detailed funding application which will be reviewed through a Panel assessment process. A funding and service agreement will be negotiated with the successful applicant. 

Funding context 

This funding program directly supports the strategic direction of the CSO Growth and Attraction Framework 2024-2027 and has been informed by the valued work of the Casey Futures Partnership, an initiative that supports CSOs and Councils to work together to identify sector needs and challenges, as well as service gaps.

The City of Casey’s community services sector is strong, capable, and resilient, however additional investment is needed to increase community sector capacity, integration and collaboration to meet not only the volume of service demand, but also the diverse needs of emerging populations and the complexity of those needs.

Cohesive community partnerships increase information sharing, facilitate collaboration and learning and build trust between different organisations and social groups that can support flexibility and the recovery from stressors and disturbances that occur over time. 

What we are looking for 

This funding is intended to build meaningful and impactful partnerships that improve access to community services through the consideration of specific barriers including;

• service eligibility,
• language, digital and health literacy,
• distribution of services across the municipality,
• awareness relating to service availability for both community members and sector professionals,
• the impact of intersectionality on accessibility, and
• complex or uncoordinated referral pathways.

We are seeking to invest in initiatives that will;

• grow the connection, resources, capability and capacity of and between participating organisations and the broader community sector, 
• are focused, collaborative and sustainable,
• generate evidence and contribute to collective learning, and 
• include diverse community representation and broad participation. 

Funding outcomes and success measures

EOIs will need to show how the proposed initiative will deliver the following outcomes and success measures: 

Who can apply 

The EOI is open to not-for-profit (NFP) community service organisations who are accountable to a governing body and that have been established for the primary purpose of providing psychosocial, physical, educational, financial, and other support services and assistance to individuals, families, and groups in the broader community. It is not intended for organisations who principally serve their own members.

To be eligible for this funding, organisations must: 

• be committed to providing direct services to residents of the City of Casey 
• be an established NFP community service or charitable organisation (auspices are not accepted for this funding) 
• be a legally constituted entity (eg. a cooperative, incorporated association, company or trust) 
• have a Committee or Board of Management that accepts responsibility for the administration of the funding and acquittal 
• hold current public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance to cover staff, volunteers, members, and the general public, as appropriate (minimum $20,000,000) 
• be committed to equal opportunity, non-discriminatory and culturally sensitive practice, and 
• be financially viable.

Who cannot apply 

For-profit and some NFP organisations are not eligible to apply for this funding. The following organisation types are not eligible to apply, regardless if they are NFP: 

• Individuals and sole traders (including those with an auspice) 
• Government agencies at local, state or federal level 
• Businesses 
• Political parties or groups 
• Schools and kindergartens 

 What we can fund 

 Activity costs and operational/administrative expenses related to the project can be funded, as well as integrated evaluation activities to inform current practice and long-term behaviour change, and capacity building costs for involved organisations to positively impact the community. 

Eligible applicants may submit more than one EOI provided that each application is for a different project proposal. 

What we cannot fund 

• EOIs from organisations that have previously been funded by Council but have not satisfactorily acquitted the grant.
• Projects that already receive funding from Council or duplicate an existing project, program or partnership.  
• Projects in areas that Council considers are the responsibility of another authority or tier of government. 
• Projects that are provided for the sole purpose of promoting a religious or political belief.  
• Capital works projects, including those that are covered by Council’s Minor Capital Works Investment Program. An item is considered capital if it is permanently fixed to the ground or building and/or increases the value of a facility.  
• Conferences and academic studies.  
• Specific ineligible expenses including donations, travel and fundraising. 

Council’s approach to evaluating submissions 

The online EOI form will ask applicants to provide a broad outline of their proposal and will include specific questions related to assessment criteria A, B & C as noted in the below table.

All eligible EOI submissions will be considered by an assessment panel made up of Council Officers and independent external professionals with relevant sector knowledge and experience.

Strong EOIs will be invited to submit a more detailed project application to address ALL assessment criteria (A through E) and to include a complete project and evaluation plan, risk assessment and budget.

Assessment Criteria

Conditions of this funding 

• The funded period is 1 June 2025 to 01 June 2027. 
• Successful applicants will be required to enter into a Funding and Service Agreement with the City of Casey, which lists funding conditions.  This must be signed, and appropriate documentation provided before funds are issued. A two-year funding agreement will be offered subject to the decision of Council.  
• Organisations with outstanding payments due to Council will need to clear the debt and satisfy acquittal requirements for any previous Council grants and funding before funding will be released each year. 
• Successful applicants will be expected to commit to membership of the Casey Futures Partnership. 
• Successful applicants will be required to provide detailed biannual outcome reports and an acquittal report at the end of the first year of funding, as part of the decision-making process for continuing the funding for a second year. Council will provide the report templates and Council officers will review the completed reports.  
• The successful applicants may be required to provide a statement of expenditure or an audited statement at the completion of the two-year funding period. If Council’s grant funds are not spent, all remaining funds must be returned to Council. 
• Council reserves the right to withdraw the offer of funding if eligibility or funding conditions are breached; or if the funded project is unable to meet its objectives or agreed outcomes. 

Timelines 

Supporting information 

In preparing an EOI application, it may be helpful to learn more about Council’s Plan and Health and Wellbeing Strategy, as well as Casey’s Community Profile. The following links are provided for your reference:  

• CSO Growth and Attraction Framework 2024-2027 
• City of Casey Council Plan 2021-2025
• City of Casey Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2021-2025
• Casey demographic information

In addition to this funding, Council can provide a range of support and advice including: 

• access to strategic input, support and facilitation
• assistance in leveraging and brokering support with Council such as venues, spaces and facilities, marketing, and promotion
• communicating and connecting across Council networks in relation to the partnership

Contact Council 

The following Council officers are available to discuss your proposed EOI prior to submission: 

• Vanessa Hammond, Senior Lead CSO Growth and Attraction
• Chris Micah, Senior Grants Officer

For questions about how to apply and general enquiries, please contact Council’s Grants Team on 9705 5200 or email communitygrants@casey.vic.gov.au