3. Sourcing Funding

 

Where Can You Source Initial Funding?

There are a number of avenues you may explore for raising the initial funds for your Community Website:

  • State and federal government offer a range of grants, details of which can usually be found on their websites.
  • Contact your local council for potential assistance.
  • Sponsorship from the business sector.
  • There are also many simple things you can do to raise money locally, such as holding a raffle, or having a BBQ or cake stall in the local shopping area.

There is also a wealth of information to be found on the internet.  Try the Federal Government's  Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs portal at http://community.gov.au for topics ranging from starting, managing and developing your community organisation to grants & funding and internet tools and tips.

Also try the Australian Government's Regional Development Network's Area Consultative Committees (ACCs) which are non-profit, community based organisations funded by the Australian Government under the Regional Partnerships programme who find local solutions to local problems.  More information and links to your local ACC are at:  http://www.acc.gov.au

A listing of available grants across Australia and how to successfully apply is at http://ourcommunity.com.au in the Find & Manage Money section.

For simple clear advice on the steps involved in getting grants click on the following link. This overview of the grant application process was prepared by Linda Woodrow, the Executive Officer of the CTC Association.

Seven Steps to Getting a Grant (Word document 47KB)

Other cost saving resources:

For information on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) issues of specific interest to not-for-profit organisations and links to a wide range of products and services to assist organisations to make savings please visit the following websites:

CommunIT - helps community and not-for-profit organisations to increase their ICT capacity - visit their website at: www.communit.info

Donortec - assists charities and nonprofit organisations with Income Tax Exempt status by providing software and hardware for very low or discounted fees in conjunction with their donor partners - visit their website at: www.donortec.com.au