This month let’s talk about submitting.
There’s more to it than just filling in the responses and pressing SUBMIT.
Read on for our top 5 tips to take the stress out of submitting.
Tip 1 – plan to submit your application 2-3 days before the due date. Yes, this means being organised and having a plan right from the beginning. Planning to submit early means you’ve got time up your sleeve if something goes wrong with the digital aspects, your documents are too large, or something else.
Tip 2 – get a friend or colleague to check that you’ve answered every response, ticked every box, have attached every document that should be attached, and have signed and dated the application. Fresh eyes always help! It’s so easy to miss little things if you’ve looked at the application form many, many times already.
Tip 3 – contact the funding body’s helpline if you do have any issues submitting. If you’re submitting early and there’s a problem, they’ll have time to help you solve it. If you’re submitting on the final day, they may not have time to respond to you before the grant closes.
Tip 4 – save all the relevant documents into an easily-accessible folder and name your documents with your project’s name. This makes it easier to keep track of the documents that need to be uploaded or attached to the application. It also makes it easy for the assessor and the funding body to locate the specific documents you refer to in the application. For example: Lismore CWA Clubhouse Upgrades – letters of support
Tip 5 – celebrate (once you’ve submitted)! You’ve done a great job getting the application in one time, so congratulate yourself and your team. Now, put it aside, and don’t think about the assessment process – if the assessment team needs more information they’ll be in touch.
Grants highlight
The Grassroots Cricket Fund is now open! This fund ensures the cricket clubs and indoor centres throughout Australia gets the investment they need to support those who help drive grassroots cricket and bring communities together.
The GCF is a partnership of the Australian Cricketers’ Association and Cricket Australia, working to together to help drive this vital program and grow grassroots cricket.
We are excited to introduce the Community Grants Program for the 2024/25 season, which aims to empower clubs and centres like yours to excel in promoting cricket within your local communities.
Learn more and apply here: Play Cricket.
Closes on September 22.
Grant Guru
Are you looking for ways to boost your community or business? Do you need funding to support your innovative ideas and projects? Then, you should join Grant Guru!
Grant Guru is a program that helps communities and businesses get the funding they need to make their dreams a reality. Whether you are a small business owner, a non-profit organisation, or a community group, Grant Guru can help you find the right grants and funding opportunities for your needs.
By registering for Grant Guru, you will gain access to a wealth of resources and tools, including:
- A comprehensive database of grants and funding opportunities, updated daily
- Personalised grant recommendations based on your needs and goals
- Expert advice on grant applications and proposals
- Access to webinars and workshops on grant writing and funding strategies
- But that's not all! By joining Grant Guru, you will also be part of a vibrant community of like-minded individuals and organisations who are passionate about making a positive impact on their communities.
We invite you to join us and take advantage of this unique opportunity to build your community or business. It's easy to register for Grant Guru – simply visit our website and sign up today.
Together, we can create a better future for ourselves and our communities. Join Grant Guru and let's make it happen!
If you have a Service NSW Business Profile, you can now log in to access the NSW Grants and Funding Finder – a one-stop shop for business owners to locate all the support you’re eligible for. Forty different grants, savings, rebates and budget relief initiatives from various government websites can be found in one easy-to-search hub.
Lismore City Council staff are also available to discuss projects and provide letters of support for grant applications where applicable. To arrange a time, email: business@lismore.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 6625 0500.
The Service NSW Business Bureau
Service NSW for Business has become the Service NSW Business Bureau.
The Service NSW Business Bureau provides free, ongoing and personalised support for every stage of your business.
The Business Bureau helps businesses access government services, information and advice to support them to grow in the NSW economy.
Businesses can:
- talk to a Business Concierge over the phone, in person or online
- get advice from an independent advisor or access a range of events, webinars and online resources through Business Connect
- engage with a multicultural advisor for in-language support or get culturally appropriate advice from the Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative (ABAI)
- create a Business Profile to make it easier to manage government transactions and business licences
- download the free Service NSW Business Bureau app to access support on the go.
For more information call 13 77 88 or visit the website.
Rural Small Business Financial Counselling
The Rural Business Support Program is an independent financial counselling service available to small businesses in regional centres who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, financial hardship. If your small business is going through a difficult period, reach out to your local counsellor on 1800 344 090 or connect through the website.
Launch into Work Program
Launch into Work trials pre-employment projects that support job seekers to increase their skills, experience and confidence. Projects are co-designed with employers, jobactive providers, registered training organisations and other stakeholders to ensure both employer and job seeker needs are met. If you are interested in co-designing a pre-employment project that includes training, mentoring and work experience, and can commit to employing job seekers who successfully complete the project, please register your interest by contacting the Employer and Workforce Strategies Team at workforce@dese.gov.au or visit the website for additional information.
Workforce Australia
Workforce Australia is the employment service delivered by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. Workforce Australia includes a new online service and a network of providers to deliver personalised support. Workforce Australia helps Australians find and keep a job, change jobs or create their own jobs. To find out more visit the website.
Digital Solutions – Australian Small Business Advisory Services
The Digital Business Solutions program supports the Australian Government’s commitment to enhance the capabilities of local small businesses. It delivers low cost, high quality digital advisory services to Australian small businesses in metropolitan and regional areas. To find out more visit the website or contact our local Northern Rivers Region Digital Business Advisor, Liza Lyttle on 0429 686 629 or email liza.lyttle@enterpriseplus.org.au
Strengthening Business
Strengthening Business connects you with experts to help your business become stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future. You will be paired with an independent facilitator to recommend ways to strengthen your business systems, operations and strategies and identify opportunities to improve your business, with a roadmap to get you back on track.
To find out more visit the website or contact one of Lismore’s Strengthening Business Facilitators Stuart McPhee via email at Stuart.McPhee@ep.industry.gov.au or 0414 788 278.
Mindset and Mental Health
New Access for Small Business with Beyond Blue is a free and confidential mental health coaching program. It’s for sole traders and small business owners. And the best bit - You don’t need a doctor’s referral to access it. Find out more.
Rural Aid also offers free counselling to farmers and their families.