2024-2025 Cultural Grants Program

To be eligible for an Aboriginal Affairs NSW Cultural Grant you must be:

a not-for-profit, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO), working with Aboriginal communities in NSW, and one of the following organisation types

• an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)
• a company incorporated in Australia under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
• a Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW)
• an Incorporated Association (incorporated under state legislation, and commonly have ‘Association’ or ‘Incorporated’ or ‘Inc’ in their legal name)
• an Incorporated Cooperative (incorporated under state legislation, and commonly have ’Cooperative’ in their legal name)
• an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust;

OR

• An Aboriginal sole trader or business whose primary business activity relates to cultural expression or revitalisation (noting project applied under Cultural Grants Program must not be profit making in nature);

OR

• A not -for-profit unincorporated Aboriginal community group with an eligible not-for-profit auspice Applicants or their auspice organisation must also:
• Be an eligible legal entity located in NSW, and able to enter into a funding Deed with Aboriginal Affairs NSW (AANSW), Premier’s Department and have an Australian bank account;
• Have public liability insurance of at least $10 million per claim or be willing to purchase it and include the cost of insurance as part of the asked project budget within their application.

Projects must take place within NSW, and applicants must deliver a service to Aboriginal communities within NSW.

The project should be started by 1 January 2025 and the project must be completed by 31 December 2025.

Funding can be used for:

• Consumables – such as catering, equipment and materials for activities (excluding alcohol) – for the purposes of the project or event
• Hiring equipment to be used for the period of the project or event
• Engaging contractors such as facilitators, trainers and teachers
• Eligible costs associated with holding key state-wide and/or regional Aboriginal sporting and cultural events
• Purchasing minor equipment for event activities up to the value of $5000 (please refer to the FAQ for guidance on minor equipment)
• Administering the project, with up to 10% of the requested AANSW funding amount being able to be used for this task or as auspice fees where there is an auspicing arrangement
• Eligible sole trader/business applicants may include up to 10% of the requested AANSW funding amount to cover remuneration costs. Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information.
• Purchasing merchandise such hats, t-shirts, trophies, medals etc up to 10% of the requested funding amount.

You are not eligible to apply if you are:

• An individual (unless you are an Aboriginal sole trader whose primary business activity relates to cultural expression or revitalisation)
• Non-Aboriginal groups or organisations (except for eligible auspice organisations auspicing an unincorporated Aboriginal community group)
• Incorporated not-for-profit organisations not controlled or operated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Federal and State Government agencies and bodies, including NSW public schools and hospitals
• Unincorporated organisations or groups without an eligible auspicing organisation
• Organisations that have not met project requirements, including acquitting and reporting for any grant funding received from Aboriginal Affairs NSW (AANSW) in the previous two years.
• Organisations with redress sanctions as described in the National Redress Scheme.

Funding cannot be used for:

• Costs for sports teams or cultural groups to attend competitions or events
• Capital costs – any type of building, construction, major equipment, or capital works including renovations to a building, housing related costs or the purchase of land
• Purchase of vehicles
• Wages and salaries and on-costs for ongoing staff
• Wages, salaries and remuneration for sole traders or consultants
• Sitting fees, travel allowance or costs associated with membership of boards/councils
• Activities that may create an ongoing dependency on cultural grant funding, such as funding that is required over multiple years
• Costs that are not directly associated with the delivery of the project