Grass Roots Grant Program- 2023-24 Round 1

⁠⁠⁠The Grass Roots Grant Program supports the involvement of Territorians in sport and active recreation and is administered for the Northern Territory (NT) Government by the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities (the Department). The program aims to increase participation in sport and active recreation.

Who can apply?

Funding is available to not for profit organisations only.

To be eligible for funding an organisation must:

• be operating as a not-for-profit organisation
• meet one of the following:

        - be incorporated under and compliant with the Associations Act (NT)

        - if your organisation does not have legal standing, you must have an administering body that is incorporated under a relevant Act to take responsibility for administering, reporting and                   acquitting the grant on behalf of your organisation

• be physically located and actively operating in the NT

Types of organisations that are eligible for funding include

• Meet the Department's definition of a sport or active recreation organisation.
• Be based in the Northern Territory.
• Be currently registered as an incorporated body with Licensing NT (Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade), or hold another comparable legal status.
• Operate as a not-for-profit organisation.
• Be an affiliate of an organisation recognised as the national body or NT Peak Sporting Body and /or Active Recreation Organisation (where applicable).
• Be compliant with Licensing NT, or other relevant authority.

Who can't apply

Types of organisations that are not eligible for funding include:

• Individuals
• Parents and Citizens Association’/‘Parents and Friends Association’.
• State/Territory and Australian Government agencies.
• Tertiary education institutions, schools, school councils, student groups.
• Political and religious organisations.
• Organisations not compliant with Licensing NT.
• For-profit groups/commercial organisations.
• Any organisation that has received funding from this program in the previous round. For example, an organisation that received funding in Round 2 2022-23 is ineligible to apply for funding in Round 1 2023-24.
• Organisations with outstanding NT Government grant acquittals.
• Organisations that are not based in the NT.
• Organisations that do not meet the Department’s definition of a sport or active recreation organisation.
• Recipients of NT Peak Sporting Body, Active Recreation Organisation and Remote Sport Program funding, except on behalf of an affiliate.
• Organisations that are not affiliated with a recognised national body or NT Peak Sporting Body (where applicable).

What can't be funded:

Funding is provided across five categories outlined in these guidelines. It is important that your application directly aligns with the relevant category and criteria clearly detailing the objectives and outcomes of the project/purpose the funding is being requested for. Ensure there is a description of how your project meets the category and criteria as well as clearly state the benefits the project is expected to achieve.

Note that you can apply for funding across the different categories in one application. However, the maximum amount of funding that can be applied for is $5,000 in total across all categories.

Official service provider project quotes must be provided supporting the application budget.

Applications supported with a dollar-for-dollar contribution will receive stronger consideration. Official project quotes from local providers must be supplied when seeking to purchase goods or services.

Participation priorities are initiatives that improve physical literacy, inclusiveness and organisation membership.

The key program areas are:

Participation - Multi-sport opportunities - where two or more different organisations working in collaboration to plan and deliver programs that develop a broad range of sporting skills and abilities through activities targeting fun, enjoyment and personal development. Programs can be run during school holiday periods. Official season playing uniforms for junior sport teams (16 and under), up to a maximum value of $500 per club, are eligible for consideration providing the uniforms remain the property of the organisation. 

Planning - Strategic and operational planning inclusive of risk management, marketing and communication, business growth, sponsorship and volunteer management (including writing of job descriptions and task templates for volunteers).

Volunteer Development

Education and training opportunities for, and recognition of, volunteers including coaches, instructors, facilitators, officials and other organisation support personnel, in areas such as integrity, first aid, leadership programs, information technology, and social media. This can extend to attendance at recognised conferences and workshops, but excludes costs associated with coaching or officiating accreditation courses. Information technology support is limited to organisation/club software licences.

Promotion

Programs or activities that increase the profile of an organisation to enable it to increase engagement/participation and sponsorship in its programs and/or increase participant awareness of the benefits of sport, this includes updating websites, social media platforms and partnerships with local media.