business grant guidelines

COVID-19Round 6

Business Grant Guidelines

Winning a grant has totally transformed our business. Without this grant we could not have afforded the professional rendering workstation we needed to fully transition to animated work (which is lockdown proof and our passion). Now we have locked in six times more animated work than the last three years

combined (well beyond our old capacity), can survive any lockdown, and are now hiring our first animator!

Matthew Boutros and Luke Orrin, Nourishing Media, Greensborough

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GRANT CATEGORIES .........................................................................................................................

TYPES OF PROJECTS SUPPORTED ..............................................................................................

THE APPLICATION PROCESS ..........................................................................................................

CONTACT US ................................................................................................................................................

GRANT WRITING WORKSHOPS ......................................................................................................

FUNDING LIMITS AND GRANT TERMS .......................................................................................

KEY DATES ....................................................................................................................................................

FUNDING EXCLUSIONS..........................................................................................................................

ELIGIBILITY ....................................................................................................................................................

QUOTES ...........................................................................................................................................................

LOBBYING .......................................................................................................................................................

ASSESSMENT PROCESS ......................................................................................................................

TABLE A: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA (existing business) ....................................................

TABLE B: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA (newer/start-up business) ....................................

SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE .............................................................................................................

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“Winning the Banyule Business Grant has enabled me to get my website built and off the ground, especially due to Covid and

disruption to business. Without the grant my business would not be moving forward. This grant has been a huge boost to my business

and my confidence and means I can breathe much easier.”

Sharon Scull, Rock the Shazbah, Viewbank

INTRODUCTION

Up to $5,000

BUSINESS COACHING AND DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

Up to $2,500

GRANT CATEGORIES

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In Round 6, Banyule Council aims to continue it’s support of local businesses recovering from COVID-19 restrictions, helping them to invest in their business, build business resilience and adapt to the post COVID-19 economy.

These grants will also offer support for new businesses discovering opportunities in the changed environment.

BUSINESS SUPPORT GRANTS

TYPES OF PROJECTS SUPPORTED

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BUSINESS SUPPORT GRANTS

up to $5,000

Banyule Council welcomes proposals from businesses that:

assists them with moving online to sell products and/or services opens them to new markets increases brand awareness for business through innovative marketing initiatives that address COVID-19 impacts enables them to start up Examples of costs that Council will consider are: website design and development e-commerce platforms digital marketing and promotion purchasing of hardware and software cost of new packaging cost of online learning or mentoring to develop e-commerce skills online content development (web pages, mobile apps, audio and visual media) purchasing of relevant equipment and shop fit-outs branding development and implementation audio or visual media

BUSINESS COACHING AND DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

up to $2,500

Banyule Council welcomes proposals that:

encourage business growth and reslience through coaching, training and development

Examples of costs that Council will consider are:

mentoring/coaching business and strategic planning marketing strategy development (i.e. branding strategies, social media/digital strategies, market research) training and development courses/workshops

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Crooks in Heidelberg West were successful in

receving a Business Support grant in Round 5 to develop a website and

improve their social media presence.

https://banyulebusiness.com.au/events/

http://banyulebusiness.com.au/

https://banyule.smartygrants.com.au/BSR6

https://banyule.smartygrants.com.au/BCR6

https://banyulebusiness.com.au/events/

KEY DATESApplications Open Monday 6 September 2021 (from 9am)

Free Grant Writing Workshops (via Zoom)Tuesday 21 September 5pm – 7pmThursday 23 September 10am – 12pm

Book at banyulebusiness.com.au/events

Applications CloseThursday 14 October 2021 (11:59pm)

Assessment PeriodFriday 15 October – November 2021

Outcomes Announced End of November 2021

Project Completion (Acquittal)Tuesday 1 June 2022

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Businesses can only apply for one of the grants on offer. The grants process is a competitive one and not all applications will necessarily be funded. In some cases, applicants may also be offered partial funding to run a reduced or modified project.

To encourage inclusivity, accessibility and innovation, we will be accepting video applications to support written documentation.

To apply head to banyulebusiness.com.au or click on one of the grant streams below.

Business Support Grants of up to $5,000

Business Coaching and Development Grants of up to $2,500

CONTACT US

All applicants must contact an Economic Develop-ment Officer before submitting their application to discuss their grant proposal. The officer will ensure that the grant idea meets the criteria before you commit to writing your application.

Call us on 9433 7763. If you’d prefer to email, write to us at [email protected]

GRANT WRITING WORKSHOPS

Free Grant Writing Workshops will be held via the Zoom platform. Workshops are not mandatory but encouraged. Learnings can be applied to other grant opportunities available at State and Federal levels.

To book into an online grant writing workshop, go to banyulebusiness.com.au/events

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FUNDING LIMITS AND GRANT TERMS

Successful applicants are required to comply with the following terms and conditions: Sign a letter of agreement detailing the grant obligations, and Submit an online evaluation report with receipt/s accounting for expenditure and demonstrate how the grant helped support the business in response to the impact of COVID-19.

Project completion date is 1 June 2022.

Any alterations, variations or modifications to the grant’s original purpose must have consent from Council. Requests will be considered, and the applicant will be notified of the decision. Approval must be received before changes can proceed otherwise Council reserves the right to cease funding.

FUNDING EXCLUSIONS

Council is unable to pay for the following:

expenses that are considered ongoing costs such as rent, utilities, routine maintenance wages the purchase of buildings or property extensions. personal expenses such as mobile phones (iPhones, Samsungs etc) servicing creditors or personal debts annual business tax and routine accounting services retrospective funding for products/services

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to receive a COVID-19 Business Grant applicants must:

• Own a business in Banyule (including home based business).• Hold a valid Australian Business Number (ABN). • Be a sole trader, micro business or a small or medium sized enterprise (SME). SMEs are defined in the context of this grant as having between 1 to 199 employees. • Have all appropriate insurances, licences and permits to undertake the activity or operate the equipment funded by this project.• Demonstrate market readiness for a new product/service.• Not be subject to any legal impediment, including bankruptcy or liquidation.• Agree to be listed as a business grant recipient on the Banyule Council and Banyule Business websites with the potential to be promoted on social media (prior approval will be sought).

THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Eligible applications will be assessed by an advisory panel comprised of Banyule Council senior staff and external consultants. All applicants will receive notification of the outcome of their application by the end of November 2021.

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

• demonstrated alignment with criteria and relevance of the proposal to impacts or opportunities (30%)• demonstrated plan which includes resourcing, timelines, cost and evaluation (for Business Support Grants only) (30%)• demonstrated financial/operating impacts from COVID-19 (existing businesses) or demonstrated financial viability (Start Ups) (20%)• local procurement (20%)

Please see Tables A and B on overleaf for further details regarding assessment and weighting.

Banyule Council will not consider applications from:

• Applicants who have not contacted an Economic Development Officer to discuss their project idea before submitting their application.• An employee of Banyule Council.• An employee of Australian and local government agencies. Political organisations and trader associations.• Community groups including schools and community organisations. (Please refer to Community grants available on the Banyule Council website).• Unincorporated associations and branches.• Businesses that have an adverse effect on public health, safety, the environment or heritage.• Businesses that have not satisfactorily acquited a previous grant or have existing funds owing to Banyule Council, such as rates.• Businesses that have been a past recipient of a Small Business Grant or a COVID-19 Business Support Grant. Past recipients of a minor grant i.e. a Coaching and Development Grant or a Business Continuity Grant may apply for a Business Support Grant however the sum of both amounts must not exceed $5,000.

QUOTES

Applicants are required to include at least one quote for all intended purchases and services. Quotes can be written, scanned images from catalogues or on-line stores, or a screenshot from a website and should be attached in your online application. Quotes should be no more than six months old.

LOBBYING

Canvassing or lobbying of councillors, employees of Banyule Council or assessment panel members in relation to the grant application is strictly prohibited. Failure to comply will render the application ineligible.

https://www.rediscoverlocal.com.au/

https://bit.ly/38n0nyf

existing businesses

TABLE A

ATTACHMENT A: COVID-19 GRANTS ASSESSMENT CRITERIA AND WEIGHTING FOR BUSINESSES IN OPERATION PRIOR TO 23 MARCH 2020

CRITERIA KEY POINTS WEIGHTING

Demonstrated alignment with

criteria and relevance of the

proposal to impacts

Key points (but not limited to): • how well does the proposed project align to one of the identified

criteria? 1. assist businesses with moving online to sell products

and/or services 2. open businesses to new markets 3. brand awareness for business through innovative

marketing initiatives 4. business coaching and development

• Demonstrated relevance of the proposal to impacts. • Demonstrated feasibility to deliver outcomes.

30%

Demonstrated plan with timelines and

budget

Some key points (but are not limited to): • Does the budget accurately reflect the project/consultation

requested? • Have quote/s been provided?

For Business Support Grants only: Is there evidence of a project plan that describes the following: resourcing, timelines, cost and evaluation

30%

Demonstrated financial and/or

operating impacts from COVID-19

Some key points (but are not limited to): • Have financial and operating impacts been defined? • Have financial documents been provided to demonstrate impacts?

20%

Local Procurement

• Does the applicant intend to procure from a local supplier? o full score for procuring in Banyule o half score for procuring in Melbourne’s North ie Hume,

Darebin, Moreland, Mitchell, Whittlesea, Nillumbik o half score if procuring outside of the North is justified and

reasonable For assistance in sourcing a local provider, head to our directory at rediscoverlocal.com.au

20%

https://www.rediscoverlocal.com.au/

https://bit.ly/38n0nyf

start ups and newer business

existing businesses

TABLE B

ATTACHMENT B: COVID-19 GRANTS ASSESSMENT CRITERIA AND WEIGHTING FOR BUSINESSES IN OPERATION P0ST 23 MARCH 2020

CRITERIA KEY POINTS WEIGHTING

Demonstrated alignment with

criteria and relevance of the

proposal to opportunities

Key points (but not limited to):

1. How well does the proposed project align to one of the identified criteria?

1. assist Start-Ups establish in Banyule 2. assist businesses with moving online to sell products

and/or services. 3. open businesses to new markets. 4. brand awareness for business through innovative

marketing initiatives 5. business coaching and development

2. Demonstrated relevance of the proposal to opportunities in current COVID-19 environment.

30%

Demonstrated plan with timelines and

budget

Some key points (but are not limited to): • Does the budget accurately reflect the project/consultation

requested? • Have quote/s been provided? • Have outcome measures been defined?

For Business Support Grants only: Is there evidence of a project plan that describes the following: resourcing, timelines, cost and evaluation

30%

Demonstrated financial viability

Some key points (but are not limited to): • Have financial documents been provided to demonstrate financial

viability? 20%

Local Procurement

Key point: • Does the applicant intend to procure from a local supplier?

o full score for procuring in Banyule o half score for procuring in Melbourne’s north ie Hume,

Darebin, Moreland, Whittlesea, Nillumbik. o half score if procuring outside of the North is justified and

reasonable For assistance in sourcing a local provider, head to our directory at rediscoverlocal.com.au

20%

Interpreter ServiceSupport and Assistance

All Enquiries

The Economic Development Team03 9433 [email protected]

Vision Impaired

For a hard copy of the Guidelines or SmartyGrants Application or large print copies, contact [email protected]

Hearing or Speech Impaired

Call us through the National Relay Service on 133 677 (TTY) or 1300 555 727 (ordinary handset) and contact 9490 4222

For Technical SmartyGrants Support

Call the SmartyGrants support desk from 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday on 03 9320 6888 or by email at [email protected]

business grant guidelines

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