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How We Assess Your Community Grant Application

The Foundation’s Directors have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that funds dispersed will be managed so as to maximise their benefit to people experiencing disadvantage and marginalisation. When assessing applications, they are vigilant to ensure that structures are in place to provide proper financial accountability and that there is evidence of the ability to report on measurable outcomes.

What happens next

How EOIs and full submissions are processed

  1. The Sisters of Charity Foundation accepts and acknowledges receipt of applications, and may seek further information or clarification from the applicant.
  2. The Grants Advisory Committee then considers the application and makes a recommendation to the Board of Directors.
  3. If the committee believes that an application has merit but that management structures are inadequate or further financial information is required, then the applicant may be notified and asked to re-apply when it can satisfy the criteria.

Note: As a rule, the Foundation will not include the GST incurred by organisations for purchases or in the provision of services. It is presumed that organisations applying to the Foundation are registered for GST and able to reclaim this amount.

Photo: Grant Recipient Hotel Etico Australia provides employment and independent living opportunities to young people with disability.

Criteria used to assess applications

Alignment with Sisters of Charity Foundation

Do the project’s aim and anticipated outcomes align with the Foundation’s mission, goals and funding priorities?

The Grants Advisory Committee considers the:

  • Project aim
  • Project’s alignment with Sisters of Charity Foundation goals
  • Project funding (government and other sources, including rationale for why project is unlikely to receive support from other funding bodies)

Project need

Has the applicant clearly outlined why the project is needed, and if similar services exist, why they are best placed to deliver the proposed project?

  • The applicant has provided a clear rationale for project need and can articulate why they are best placed to deliver the project, if applicable
  • Letters of support that provide evidence of need are taken into consideration

Project outcomes

Has the applicant clearly stated anticipated outcomes and do they align with the project/program aims?

The applicant has:

  • Clearly articulated the intended outcomes of the project
  • Identified how outcomes will be measured

Organisational capacity

Does the organisation have the capacity to successfully achieve the proposed project outcomes?

The organisation has demonstrated their capacity to deliver the proposed activities and outcomes. There is confidence that the organisation will manage the grant responsibly and use the resources as intended.

The Grants Advisory Committee considers the:

  • Applicant’s response to why they are best placed to deliver the proposed project
  • Availability of resources (paid, volunteer or in-kind contributions)
  • Strategies in place to protect the safety of staff/volunteers and beneficiaries
  • Established relationships within the community
  • Realistic project timeframes that align with the Foundation’s grant distribution schedule and requirement to expend funds within 12 months of receipt

Likely impact on local community

To what extent will the proposed project strengthen or improve the local community if funded?

The Grants Advisory Committee considers the:

  • Involvement of local volunteers in the delivery of the project
  • Contribution to a safer community
  • Promotion of community health and wellbeing
  • Enhanced quality of life for community members
  • Strengthening of identity and/or sense of belonging

Budget quality and alignment with project

Is the proposed budget clear and accurate?

  • Does the budget income and expenditure balance?
  • Has the applicant provided details on how they calculated their expenditure, if applicable.
  • Are the proposed activities reflected within the budget?
  • Is the unconfirmed funding amount likely to be realised within the proposed timeframes?
  • Has the applicant uploaded a quote/s for any items over $5,000?

Alignment with Sisters of Charity Foundation

Do the project’s aim and anticipated outcomes align with the Foundation’s mission, goals and funding priorities?

The Grants Advisory Committee considers the:

  • Project aim
  • Project’s alignment with Sisters of Charity Foundation goals
  • Project funding (government and other sources, including rationale for why project is unlikely to receive support from other funding bodies)

Project need

Has the applicant clearly outlined why the project is needed, and if similar services exist, why they are best placed to deliver the proposed project?

  • The applicant has provided a clear rationale for project need and can articulate why they are best placed to deliver the project, if applicable
  • Letters of support that provide evidence of need are taken into consideration

Project outcomes

Has the applicant clearly stated anticipated outcomes and do they align with the project/program aims?

The applicant has:

  • Clearly articulated the intended outcomes of the project
  • Identified how outcomes will be measured

Organisational capacity

Does the organisation have the capacity to successfully achieve the proposed project outcomes?

The organisation has demonstrated their capacity to deliver the proposed activities and outcomes. There is confidence that the organisation will manage the grant responsibly and use the resources as intended.

The Grants Advisory Committee considers the:

  • Applicant’s response to why they are best placed to deliver the proposed project
  • Availability of resources (paid, volunteer or in-kind contributions)
  • Strategies in place to protect the safety of staff/volunteers and beneficiaries
  • Established relationships within the community
  • Realistic project timeframes that align with the Foundation’s grant distribution schedule and requirement to expend funds within 12 months of receipt

Likely impact on local community

To what extent will the proposed project strengthen or improve the local community if funded?

The Grants Advisory Committee considers the:

  • Involvement of local volunteers in the delivery of the project
  • Contribution to a safer community
  • Promotion of community health and wellbeing
  • Enhanced quality of life for community members
  • Strengthening of identity and/or sense of belonging

Budget quality and alignment with project

Is the proposed budget clear and accurate?

  • Does the budget income and expenditure balance?
  • Has the applicant provided details on how they calculated their expenditure, if applicable.
  • Are the proposed activities reflected within the budget?
  • Is the unconfirmed funding amount likely to be realised within the proposed timeframes?
  • Has the applicant uploaded a quote/s for any items over $5,000?

Key Dates

Notification timeline

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their EOI by 15 September 2025.

Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application by 6 October 2025.

Successful grantees will be notified by 17 November 2025, and the funds dispersed by 3 December 2025.

Photo: Grant recipient Hair Aid provides free hair cuts to people experiencing disadvantage or homelessness.