The NGO Flood Recovery Program is a $9.1 million assistance package for non-government organisations (NGOs) from the Commonwealth and NSW Governments to support NSW communities affected by the floods that commenced in August-September 2022.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $10,000 to $200,000
- Application opened: 25 July 2023
- Application closed: 8 September 2023, 5:00 pm
Program objective
All funding is directed to NGOs serving the 4 highly impacted NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Districts of Western, Murrumbidgee, Far West and New England.
A total of $6.5 million is available under the NGO Flood Recovery Program – open competitive grants. This stream of grant funding is for any eligible community or volunteer-based NGO in the 4 identified DCJ Districts. The grant will support NGOs to continue to provide critical services to vulnerable individuals and families.
The program is designed to embed social cohesion, support community-led social recovery and respond to community feedback about local decision making.
This open competitive grant stream complements the $1.1 million in closed competitive grants available to invited DCJ service providers that currently provide services to individuals and families in the 4 DCJ Districts.
This program is administered by Department of Communities and Justice.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be considered eligible, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
- Operate in one of the following 4 DCJ Districts: Western, Murrumbidgee, Far West and New England. View more information and maps.
- Operate in one or more of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) subject to a disaster declaration under AGRN 1030 or 1034.
- Deliver human services to support individuals, families, and communities that reside in one or more of the local government areas (LGAs) subject to a disaster declaration under AGRN 1030 or 1034.
- Are experiencing an increase and continued demand for services since the floods that commenced in August-September 2022 (AGRN1030/1034).
- Be a non-government organisation:
- incorporated organisation registered and approved as a not-for-profit body by NSW Fair Trading, or
- not-for profit company limited by guarantee (must have ACNC, DGR and/or ORIC status).
Who can’t apply
Applicants are not eligible if they are any of the following:
- individuals, partnerships or consortiums
- schools and universities
- for profit organisations
- NSW Government, local councils or Australian Government agencies and their entities.
Types of projects funded under this grant
The open competitive grant funds can be used flexibly by grant recipients in the following 4 DCJ Districts: Western, Murrumbidgee, Far West and New England to sustainably deliver services throughout the recovery and to adapt that support as needs change.
Services funded through this grant must only be provided in LGAs subject to a disaster declaration under AGRN 1030 and 1034.
This support to individuals and communities residing in these LGAs, to assist them in getting back on their feet, could include:
- staffing costs to meet increased demand for support
- reimbursement of expenses incurred since August-September 2022 that were directly related to the floods (up to 25% of the total grant provided)
- operational costs to deliver critical service delivery, for example vehicle hire and overheads directly related to service delivery
- service delivery minor expenses up to $1000 per individual, such as
- purchasing food and personal care items not available through other means.
What can’t you apply for
Funds cannot be used for
- expenses that are already covered by other Government grants, including the Disaster Recovery Small Business Grants, or insurance payments, for example replacement of items lost or damaged in the floods
- temporary accommodation arrangements for the applicant organisation
- infrastructure (capital works), equipment and other assets, including the purchase of vehicles
- commercial activities
- existing debts or budget deficits incurred prior to the floods that commenced in August-September 2022
- costs not related to service delivery
- support services provided to individuals or communities that do not live in the eligible LGAs (AGRN 1030 and 1034)
- interstate or overseas travel
- vouchers, such as phone, store or internet credit.
What your application needs to include
Review the NGO Flood Recovery Program Open Competitive Grants – Program Guidelines (PDF 203.7KB).
More information is available on the Department of Communities and Justice website.
Before applying, you will need to collate the following supporting material:
- organisation name
- ABN
- banking details
- 2 authorised signatory details
- PLI insurance minimum $10 million and provide certificate of currency.
More information
You will need to demonstrate:
- there is an increased demand for your services
- you have the capacity to meet the increased demand for your services
- you have the capability to deliver high quality, flexible and sustainable services
- an ability to understand and respond to the changing needs of local communities
- you are able to fully expend the grant by September 2024.
Start the application
All eligible organisations are invited to apply for a grant. Applications must be made through the SmartyGrants online grant portal.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 8 September 2023.
Note: late applications will not be accepted.
After the application is submitted
Applications will be assessed and applicants will be notified of the outcome by late September to early October 2023.
Support and contact
There will be 2 online information sessions to support eligible organisations with their applications and to answer any questions.
- Thursday 3 August 2023 at 10am
- Thursday 17 August at 10am.
For an invitation, contact SPCGrantsTeam@facs.nsw.gov.au.
Further information
Visit: Flood recovery program on the DCJ site
Email: SPCGrantsTeam@facs.nsw.gov.au