Applications are now open for the next round of the Queensland Government’s Supporting Women Scholarships program. The $10 million program is providing opportunities for women of all ages and backgrounds to gain qualifications in high priority and skills shortage areas, which have been traditionally male-dominated. The scholarships are available for vocational education and training and university study from the Certificate IV level through to postgraduate qualifications in the following fields:
·         Agriculture and Environment
·         Architecture and Building
·         Earth Science
·         Engineering
·         Information technology.

The scholarships are valued at up to $5,000 each year (up to a maximum of $20,000), and are available for school leavers, women returning to study or changing careers. Applications close 11 October 2013 for scholarships commencing at the beginning of the 2014 academic year. Apply online at www.supportingwomen.qld.gov.au.

Senator for Queensland, Jan McLucas, urges youth organisations in North Queensland to take advantage of a program to help stamp out bullying and youth violence. The Federal Labor Government is targeting school and cyber-bullying with grants of up to $70,000 through the annual Youth Development and Support Program.

Applications are open until 23 August 2013. For information on the program and how to apply, visit http://www.youth.gov.au/sites/youth/news/pages/ydsprogram_010410

(Source: Email from Senator McLucas on 5/8/13)

 The Queensland Government Office for Early Childhood Education and Care is implementing a range of strategies to support awareness and use of Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) data across Queensland, including the Queensland AEDI Community Action Grant Program.

Grants from $5,000 to $20,000 are available to support organisations to respond to AEDI data in communities with higher proportions of vulnerable children than the Queensland average. Activities funded under this grant should prioritise raising awareness of issues relevant to early childhood development, engaging with community members in identifying issues and delivering solutions or enhancing the capacity of the community to support early childhood development.  

Applications are now being sought from eligible organisations, with activities to be delivered between September 2013 and March 2014. Applications close 9 August 2013.

For more information on the grants as well as the application form, please visit http: //deta.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood/service/grants/index.html

The 2013-14 funding round for the Youth Development and Support Program (YDSP) is now open. The Australian Government established the YDSP to provide funding for development opportunities for young people in Australia.

$500,000 will be available in the 2013-14 YDSP funding round to fund initiatives that inspire and encourage young people to engage with government and their community, and help them develop skills and connections within their communities.

This year YDSP will focus funding on projects under the theme ‘Building a safe and supportive culture’. Applications should demonstrate how the Projects will develop Young People’s skills to engage in positive non-violent/non-bullying behaviours in their community. These Projects will:
• enhance wellbeing and build young people’s resilience and ability to cope with stress; and/or
• assist Young People to engage with their community and encourage leadership.

In order to be eligible to apply for YDSP funding, an organisation must be:
• a non-government organisation; and
• not-for-profit; and
• a company or an incorporated association.

Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations are strongly encouraged. Applications for funding must be submitted by 5.00 pm AEST on 23 August 2013. Information about the grants process, including Program Guidelines and how to apply for funding, are available at www.youth.gov.au. For all enquiries, call 1300 363 079 Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm (AEST), TTY users call 133 677 then ask for 1300 363 079, or email ydsp@deewr.gov.au

The Queensland Government is offering sponsorship funding to assist community groups and organisations who host events during 2014 Queensland Week, from 30 May to 8 June.

Sponsorship funding of up to $8000 (excl GST) for a limited number of events is available, with successful applicants forming part of the Queensland Government’s 2014 Queensland Week celebrations.

Queensland Week is a time when all Queenslanders can get together and celebrate the proud histories and traditions that make Queensland the great state it is today.  All communities across the state are encouraged to put together their best Queensland celebration.  It could be a street parade, barbeque, concert or festival or anything that is special to your community.

Download the program guidelines and application form or phone 07 3405 5215 for more information.

Applications close COB Friday 30 August 2013.

Are you a social enterprise that has been operating for less than 3 years?
Do you have?

• A well thought out business idea or a documented business plan
• The passion to follow it
• Evidence of trading history or financial forecasts

Foresters has finance options tailored for early stage social enterprise to grow and develop.

• $300,000 is available for a variety of loans including commercialisation of Intellectual Property, business purchase, business development, equipment, marketing, website development, program delivery, human resources and any other worthwhile purpose.

 
Application Criteria
Organisations must meet the following criteria in order to be considered:

• Be a social enterprise
• Demonstrate an ability to service a loan
• Be seeking loan finance for business development purposes

Apply Online
Applications are open until 16 August 2013. Please complete the online loan application form by following the below link and return your supporting documentation to express your interest.

http://www.foresters.org.au/component/chronocontact/?chronoformname=GROW_app

Please be advised that the following Brisbane City Council grant programs are open for application:-
Full program details, guidelines and application forms are available online via www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/grants

Community Development and Capacity Building Grants Program
Provides funds to community organisations to improve and develop services that respond to local and city-wide issues in Brisbane, including – increasing community identity and connections; increasing social inclusion and reducing isolation. 
Applicants can apply for an amount between $2,000 and $10,000
Closing Date: 2 September 2013
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/community/grants-and-awards/community-groups-and-non-profit/community-development-and-capacity-building-grants/index.htm

Healthy and Physical Activity Grants Program
Provides funds to community organisations for projects to increase participation in community sport, recreation and physical activity in Brisbane. 
Applicants can apply for an amount between $5,000 and $20,000
Closing Date: 2 September 2013
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/community/grants-and-awards/community-groups-and-non-profit/healthy-and-physical-activity-grants/index.htm

Community Support Funding Program
Provides financial assistance to:
-          Community groups facing financial hardships
-          Providers of affordable housing in Brisbane 
Eligible applicant groups must have paid General Rates on properties they owned or administered during the 2012/13 financial year.  Successful community groups and service providers are credited a percentage of the annual general rates paid.
Closing Date: 2 September 2013
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/community/grants-and-awards/community-groups-and-non-profit/community-support-funding-program/index.htm

Suburban Crime Prevention Grants
Provides funds to suburban businesses and not-for-profit community groups and sporting clubs for projects or services that will help deter crime and improve community safety in their local suburb and community. 
Applicants can apply for an amount between $1,000 and $10,000
Closing Date: 25 November 2013
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/community/grants-and-awards/suburban-crime-prevention-grant/index.htm

Please contact Brisbane City Council via 3403 8888 if you have any questions about these programs or desire advice on developing an application.

The Valuing Diversity Grants Program will allocate funding to multicultural events across Queensland in the 2014 calendar year in two categories:

·         Signature Events – grants up to $20,000
·         Culturally Diverse Events – grants up to $10,000.

The closing date for the submission of applications under this program is Wednesday, 10 July 2013.

Late applications may not be accepted and will be considered secondary to the applications received by the closing date.

To submit your application, you can either

·         POST TO – Multicultural Affairs Queensland, Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs, PO Box 15397, CITY EAST QLD 4002.  Ensure your envelope is stamped (postmarked) by Australia Post before or on 10 July 2013.

·         BY EMAIL – Email the application and attachments to MAQ@datsima.qld.gov.au before or on 10 July 2013. Signed copies of Section 10 – Certification – organisation, and (if applicable) Section 11 – Certification - auspicing organisation are to be posted to Multicultural Affairs Queensland, Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs separately before or on 10 July 2013.

·         IN PERSON – Hand-deliver your application enclosed in an envelope or package to “Decipha” (the Queensland Government tender box) at 2 Duncan Street, West End, Brisbane, no later than 4pm on 10 July 2013. Late applications will not be accepted or processed.

The envelope is to clearly specify that it is an application submitted to Multicultural Affairs Queensland, Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs, under the 2013–14 Valuing Diversity Grants Program.  Please complete and attach the relevant label at Attachment 1 of the Application Form to your envelope or package.

If you have any queries in relation to the program or submitting your application, please contact Multicultural Affairs Queensland on (07) 3224 5006 or email MAQ@datsima.qld.gov.au.

This program is administered by the Australian Sports Commission to help aspiring athletes achieve their goals and reach their sporting potential. The program was a 2007 Federal Election promise and was first funded in the 2008-09 Budget.

We all know that supporting a strong sporting interest can strain family finances, and that is why this program helps individual athletes and teams, including young coaches, umpires and referees, participate in major state and national sporting competitions.

The Local Sporting Champions program is open to young people between 12 and 18 years of age (inclusive), with up to 26 grants of $500 available for individuals and four grants of $3000 for teams for assistance with travel, accommodation, uniform and equipment costs.

Further information is available at Local Sporting Champions : Participating in Sport : Australian Sports Commission. Applications for round one are currently open and close on 30 June 2013.

This program was announced as part of Creative Australia, the Australian Government's National Cultural Policy. The program encourages creative, cultural, academic and community achievement throughout Australia by students and young people, making grants available to assist with the financial cost of participating in artistic, cultural, academic and community activities and training.

Queensland is full of young people who have many great talents and who will use those to make a fantastic contribution to our community once they get the chance to develop those talents further. But in some cases their families find it difficult to meet the extra costs associated with participating in activities, events and training.

The program is open to young people 25 years and under. Funding has been allocated over two years, with 23 grants of $500 available for individuals and four grants of $3000 for groups in each Federal electorate per financial year.

I urge you to encourage people you know who will be interested to apply for one of these grants. Applicants are required to provide a letter of support or selection from a representative of an Endorsing Organisation such as a school, training, arts or community organisation. As such, your organisation could play a strong role in supporting applicants.

A local selection committee will assess each application and provide recommendations to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Applications for the first round are currently open and close on 21 June 2013.

Further information is available at www.youth.gov.au.