Developing your proposal

Preparing your application

Register your interest

Before applying for our Major Grant, we ask that organisations register their interest in applying using our online form.

Registering your interest is not required to apply and does not form part of your application and or influence the outcome.

Registration enables helps us to validate online submissions.  Letting us know you’re interested in applying also helps support and improve our Major Grants.

Everyday Legal Grant applications do not have a registration of interest.

Confirm your eligibility

We prioritise submissions from community legal organisations and other not-for-profit community organisations in partnership with a legal organisation.

Non-legal organisations are required to partner with an organisation with suitable legal expertise to ensure accurate legal information is provided to the intended audience.

We encourage partnerships between research organisations, courts, tribunals, statutory bodies and other community organisations to share knowledge, resources, provide guidance and expertise where there is shared interest.

The applicant is responsible for reporting and financial management.

We only fund organisations – individuals are not able to apply.

We focus on civil law and access to justice issues. We will consider work at the intersection of civil and criminal law, but we do not fund work exclusively on criminal law.

Discuss your idea and seek feedback

The Grants Manager can provide feedback on your project proposal and confirm it meets the grants criteria.

Contacting the Grants Manager to discuss your idea may save you time in applying for something that is not eligible or unlikely to be funded.

We might also be able to connect you with past grant recipients, organisations which may be suitable to partner with or members of our team who can provide guidance and expertise.

Getting early feedback on your proposal can help to strengthen your application giving you the best chance of success.

Grant criteria

The following criteria is used to assess grant applications. Not all criteria will be applicable to all projects. Everyday Legal Grant requirements are reduced.

• Evidence of the need - the legal issue or research topic responds to legal need and/or is timely and likely to be of broad interest in the sector.
• The project addresses needs of clients and/or community groups experiencing disadvantage in access justice.
• Project design/methodology is appropriate for audience or approach.
• Sustainable project outcomes.
• A process for sharing the project findings, processes and/or outcomes more broadly with the sector.
• A commitment to evaluate and learn from the project to improve organisational practice and help identify effective approaches.
• Organisational capacity to undertake the project.
• Partnerships and collaborations to improve reach and impact or facilitate knowledge transfer.

Grant exclusions

We will not fund:

• studies to obtain a degree or diploma
• government organisations with the exception of independent statutory bodies
• core operating costs
• purchase of major items of equipment
• international travel costs
• conferences
• commercial or profit-making activities
• litigation of any kind
• projects that primarily support political activity and lobbying
• projects that do not primarily benefit Victorians
• work started or costs incurred prior to grant approval
• previously unsuccessful grant applications unless invited to reapply by VLF.

Review the application questions

We provide Major Grant application questions so you can prepare your responses across your organisations and with partners before submitting your online application.

Budget items

Your costs will depend on your project activities. Be realistic but remember that we have limited funding.

It’s important that your project aligns with our objectives and make sure you choose the right grant program for your project.

Expenditure should be itemised and descriptions provided for each. Costs may include staffing and project coordination, consultant fees, volunteer expenses, production costs, translation or interpreter costs, software or subscription fees, and a contribution towards overheads.

Where possible please attach quotes or examples of previous costings for external suppliers for example, design or consultant fees.

We have an example budget with the types of items and level of detail to include when submitting your application.

Engage project partners

We encourage applications submitted in partnership.

You may choose to partner with another organisation or agency that works with the target group or has an interest in an area of law.

Another option is to engage a partner that brings specific skills and expertise to the project. The application form asks you about the role of any partners.

The applicant is responsible for reporting and financial management.

Submitting your application

Applications must be submitted via the SmartyGrants online platform.

We use SmartyGrants to manage our grant application, reporting and acquittal processes. When you are ready to submit your application, follow the link on the grant page which will take you to the SmartyGrants site.

Assessment process

The Grants Subgroup of the VLF Board makes funding decisions on major Grant applications. The Executive Director makes decisions on Everyday Legal Grant applications.

All applications are reviewed by the Grants Manager and Executive Director.

Grant applications may also be reviewed by members of our Research Team and/or external assessors with specialist expertise in research or access to justice issues.

Applications are assessed against the key criteria.

Grant obligations

All successful applicants enter into a funding agreement with Victoria Law Foundation. Other requirements include submitting a final report on completion of the project and acknowledging the support of Victoria Law Foundation.

See the Manage your grant page for more information.

Developing your project

We can provide further guidance and help you prepare your project proposal and application. Get in contact with the Grants Manager to discuss your needs.

VLF resources

Our Research Network events can help you to keep you up to date with new research and initiatives in the community legal education and access to justice space.

Enhancing Engagement webinars support you to produce more accessible legal information.

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive information about our latest research, grants, resources, insights and events.

Data collection and ethics standards

It is your responsibility to conduct ethical research and data collection practices when undertaking any research project funded through our Major Grant program.

If you are partnering with an academic body you may choose to go through their ethics process. If not, you will need to establish an alternative process such as forming a reference group or internal governance committee to approve the research activity and guide the project

We have developed the following guidance, information and templates to help you.

Overarching standards

Confidentiality, informed consent and secure data collection and storage

Ethics checklist

Sample consent forms

Process for ethics approval

If you are partnering with an academic body you may choose to go through their ethics process.

If not, you will need to establish an alternative process such as forming a reference group or internal governance committee to approve the research activity and guide the project.

For more information or guidance, please contact the Grants Manager.

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