Our Grants

We have a number of things that we look for:

• Strong leadership – ‘doing’ leaders with vision, action and tenacity – people who are making things happen and motivating others
• An organisation in good health – sound governance, effective operational systems and financially viable
• Demand-driven work – evidence that the work proposed is relevant and important to the people who are meant to benefit from it, and that those people have or will be genuinely involved in its development
• Sound strategy – the work proposed is a logical and practical response to the issue and local context, and there is evidence suggesting it will be effective in these circumstances
• Capacity and experience to deliver the strategy effectively – a deep understanding of the people you seek to work with, relevant specialist skills, you are trusted by the people you seek to work with
• Clear and demonstrable desired outcomes – clarity on what will be different as a result of the grant, and mechanisms to track outcomes as you go along, allowing refinement in real time
• Other financial contributions – or a sound plan to leverage VFFF support to obtain further funding

VFFF grants support three types of costs:

1. Core operations

This refers to organisational and administrative costs such as salaries and overheads that maintain the everyday operation of an organisation. VFFF primarily makes core operations grants for small to medium-sized organisations at a critical time of transition or development. For example:

Sports Chaplaincy Australia to support the salary costs of the chaplaincy in junior sport Sydney netball pilot ($49,483).

Employment of academic mentors across the network of Country Universities Centres, to support students in academic engagement and success ($520,049 over 3 years).

2. Capacity building

Capacity building grants aim to strengthen organisations by investing in core competencies such as business or operational planning, board development and governance, management capacity, staff training, leadership development and infrastructure. This support intends to enhance the ability of an organisation to operate more effectively beyond the conclusion of the grant. For example:

The Crusader Union of Australia for the redevelopment of the Lake Macquarie Outdoor Recreation Centre to support young people grow their interest and participation in Christianity ($3,000,000 over two years).

National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA) to employ a Fundraising Manager ($375,000 over 3 years).

3. Programs

This refers to costs that are directly related to the development, implementation, delivery and evaluation of a specific program or activity. Most VFFF grants under $50,000 tend to be for programs, as well as some larger grants. For example:

The Alpha Australia Youth Series to help young people explore and discuss the basics of the Christian faith in a church, youth group or school environment ($240,000 over three years).

Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF)’s Refugee Action Support Program, providing literacy and learning support for recently arrived refugee students ($50,000)

VFFF makes grants to charities registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Grants above $50,000 are available for organisations working in NSW. Grants between $20,000 and $50,000 are available for organisations working in NSW or Queensland.

VFFF has two granting areas – Thriving People and Places and Christianity. The guidelines offer information to assist grant seekers in determining whether their request aligns with VFFF’s goals. Go to the page for each area for an overview and to read the guidelines.

Grants between $20,000 and $50,000 are available for organisations working in NSW or Queensland. Grants above $50,000 are available for organisations working in NSW. In FY2019 our grants ranged from $25,000 to $3,000,000 and 75% of grants were multi-year commitments.

VFFF does not provide funding for: Scholarships, public fundraising appeals, endowment funds established to provide a corpus for institutions, disaster appeals or political projects and/or lobby groups.

All organisations considering applying to VFFF are kindly requested to read the guidelines and then call us on (02) 9291 2727 to discuss your ideas.

If invited to apply, applications are made through our online portal, accessed through this website. Applicants create a log in and are guided through a series of questions. You can save your application and return to it later.

We also require copies of organisations’ latest audited financial statements and up-to-date management accounts be uploaded with applications. Receipt of applications is acknowledged by email and shortly after VFFF will be in touch to discuss your request. VFFF reserves the right to seek assistance from external experts in assessing applications.

We aim to be of assistance to grant seekers during the preparation of applications and encourage organisations to contact us with any queries that arise. VFFF will contact grant seekers to work through any concerns or questions and may also request meetings or site visits. We are grateful for grant seekers’ cooperation and patience and appreciate open communication throughout the application process.

For requests over $50,000 there is a two-step application process:

1.       Register your organisation – VFFF will send you a link to register through our online portal. This involves filling in organisational contact details, and uploading your latest audited financial statements and up-to-date management accounts.

2.       Submission – VFFF will request further information about the request, outcomes and budget  through an application form accessed through your online account.

The VFFF team use all the information provided to write a submission for consideration by the VFFF Board that meets quarterly. Applicants are advised of the outcome by phone following the meeting and in writing within a fortnight.

For requests between $20,000 and $50,000 there is a single-step application process:

If invited to apply, applications are made through our online portal, accessed through this website. Applicants create a log in and are guided through a series of questions. You can save your application and return to it later.

Applications are considered quarterly by the Grants Committee and applicants are advised of the outcome by phone following the meeting and in writing within a fortnight.

Once a grant is approved, VFFF will request successful organisations to:

• Sign and return a grant agreement
• Nominate a single point of contact for administration of the grant
• Provide their bank details for payment
• Provide a receipt of payment

VFFF is always interested in hearing from grantees about their achievements and challenges and relies on feedback to inform our work. We invite grantees to stay in touch as it suits them.

VFFF asks grantees to provide an acquittal report and an expenditure statement at the end of the funding period, for which templates are provided. For multi-year grants, yearly progress reports, including expenditure statements, and brief six-monthly updates are also required.

VFFF reminds grantees when reports are due and provides templates to assist in the process.

VFFF aims to be helpful and flexible and encourages open communication with grantees beyond specific reporting requirements.

VFFF prefers not to receive framed certificates, plaques or other tokens of appreciation. While we value the spirit in which these acknowledgements are given, grantees are encouraged to express their appreciation in letter format.

It is important that grantees inform us of any significant changes that will have an impact on the work we are funding. VFFF is mindful of the fact that circumstances can change and will seek to be flexible.

Since its establishment VFFF has tended to be low-key and non-publicity seeking. However, we hope our grants will help recipient organisations to attract funds from other sources and are happy for our support to be mentioned to other funders or included in Annual Reports and accounts. We request that grantees ask us before using our name or logo.