What are Small Grants?
Up to $5,000
Applications open until 30 June 2020
Improving community understanding of the justice system, including Law Week events
Small Grants help community legal organisations and not-for-profit community groups undertake projects that support local community needs and improve understanding of the justice system. These grants are likely to fund:
- one-off projects addressing legal issues relating to a specific community
- pilot projects offering new approaches to delivering legal information
- Law Week projects and events.
In 2020, we will prioritise Law Week events that assist people affected by the bushfires to understand legal issues they might face in their recovery.
Events must be held in Law Week 18-24 May 2020 and increase community awareness and understanding of the legal system.
Other events that meet the criteria are eligible to apply.
We expect to support six grants of $2,500. Law Week grants will support events such as legal health checks and info sessions, legal advice pop ups and more.
Applications will need to be submitted by 2 March 2020 to be included in the 2020 Law Week program.
Who can apply?
Small Grant applications are open to community legal centres and not-for-profit community organisations. We only fund organisations – individuals are not able to apply.
How to prepare your application
Submit an application
Complete the application form online through SmartyGrants.
Grant guidelines
Guiding principles
Priority will be given to applications that can demonstrate:
Support for bushfire affected communities in 2020
Events that assist people affected by the bushfires understand legal issues they might face in their recovery.
Evidence
Evidence of legal need and a good case that this response is likely to make a difference.
Impact
Projects that have potential to reach significant audiences – this could be a broad audience or a project that responds to a current issue or need for a specific group of Victorians.
Assessment process
The Executive Director of the Foundation makes funding decisions. In most cases, applicants will be advised on the outcome of their application within 2-4 weeks of the application being received.
Grant applications are assessed against the Foundation's statutory functions, grant aims and guiding principles. The following criteria are also considered as part of the assessment process:
- grants can only be made to organisations
- the project must primarily benefit Victorians
- legal need – what is the legal need of the target audience? What is the evidence?
- project methodology – what will you do to address the need?
- format – how does the format meet the needs of the target audience?
- duplication – does the information already exist?
- capacity – does the organisation have the skills and resources to undertake the project?
- impact – what difference will this work make?
- dissemination and promotion – has a strategy been developed to ensure the information gets to the target group?
- replication – is there potential for the project to benefit a broader audience?
- budget – is the budget realistic? Does it offer value for money?
Grant exclusions
Generally, we do not fund:
- professional development activities
- conferences – sponsorship or attendance
- government organisations with the exception of independent statutory bodies
- recurrent or core operational costs
- purchase of major items of equipment
- international travel costs
- commercial or profit-making activities
- litigation of any kind
- projects that primarily support political activity and lobbying
- costs incurred prior to grant approval
- grant applications previously deemed unsuccessful by the Foundation unless invited to reapply.
Conditions of grant
Victoria Law Foundation places conditions on the grants it makes. Some of the grant requirements include:
- successful applicants enter into an agreement with the Foundation
- a final report is to be submitted on completion of the project
- acknowledging the support of the Foundation
- having materials checked by a person with appropriate legal knowledge
- developing resources using plain language principles (where applicable).
FAQs
Can I still apply for funding to deliver a Law Week event?
Yes, you can apply for funding through the Small Grant program. The application form is the same. We expect to offer smaller amounts – up to $2500 (excl. GST) for Law Week events.
How many grants are available?
The Foundation’s grant pool is $300,000 divided between our three grant programs. Unfortunately we are unable to fund many great projects due to limited funding. We aim to fund around 4-5 projects within each grant program.
Contact the Grants Manager to find out if your project proposal meets our selection criteria and if sufficient funds are available, giving your application the best chance of success.
What are my obligations if I am offered a grant?
All successful applicants enter into a funding agreement with the Foundation. Some other general requirements include submitting a final report on completion of the project and acknowledging the support of the Foundation.
