Guidelines
Suncorp Brighter Futures is designed to inspire and enable our employees to make a difference in the communities they live and work. One way they can do this is to apply for a Brighter Futures Grant. 1. About Brighter Futures Grants Brighter Futures Grants were established in December 2011 to support health and wellbeing initiatives. Brighter Futures Grants are made up of Community Grants of $1,000 - $10,000 and Local Grants of up to $1,000. All information including application dates are advertised on the Brighter Futures website. The total funding pool for each round will be determined by the Brighter Futures Advisory Panel. Grants are not intended as a recurring funding source. Grants will be awarded based on their impact on health and wellbeing in Australia and New Zealand as determined by the Brighter Futures Grants Judging Panel. Applications must be submitted online via the Brighter Futures website. 2. Funding priorities Health and wellbeing is imperative to Australia and New Zealand’s social and economic welfare, workforce participation, productivity and overall welfare. Areas that Brighter Futures Grants support are: Mental health Women’s, men’s and children’s health Ageing health Drug and alcohol abuse prevention and treatment Indigenous and minority groups’ health Refer to Appendix 1 for category descriptions. The priority is minority or disadvantaged groups, where the need or potential outcome has a tangible health and wellbeing benefit to the community or individual. Initiatives that do not have a specific link or demonstrate an outcome for a health and wellbeing issue in Australia or New Zealand are not considered funding priorities. 3. Aims Support a broad variety of causes within the area of health and wellbeing. Award Grants to charities, community groups, schools, sporting clubs and individuals nominated by employees. Make an impact in our community by supporting worthwhile causes or local community participation. Support our employees’ passion for the causes closest to their hearts. Award Grants to recipients nominated by an employee who has shown long term association or commitment to the recipient. Award Grants to recipients who have not received a Grant in the most recent round. Fund initiatives that will have reasonably long-term impact.
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4. Eligibility criteria 4.1. Applicants The applicant applying for the Grant: Must be a permanent part-time, permanent full-time, maximum-term, fixed-term or long-term casual employee of the Suncorp, (who is also subject to the relevant provisions in the Suncorp Enterprise Agreement 2015). Must obtain permission from the nominated recipient to submit an application on their behalf. Can submit one application each round, either in the Local Grant or Community Grant category. Applicants cannot submit applications to both categories in the same round. Applicants who have successfully applied for a Community Grant or Local Grant must wait one round before applying for another Grant. 4.2. Recipients Recipients eligible to receive a Grant are: Recipients who reside or are located in Australia or New Zealand. Individual recipients who have not received a Grant in the most recent round. Other types of recipients who have benefited from a Grant in the most recent round will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The type of recipients eligible to receive a Grant fall within the two categories. Community Grants: Registered charities Note: applications for international aid will only be considered for charities that are registered in Australia or New Zealand. Community groups that do not have an official status such as schools, indigenous communities, and support groups Example 1: An employee nominates a school for children with disabilities who require physiotherapy equipment for their students. Example 2: An employee nominates an official cancer support group relying on philanthropic support to remain operational and provide much needed patient support services. Individuals who have a legitimate health and wellbeing challenge Example 1: An employee nominates an individual who might be going through an immediate health challenge and requires assistance in funding medical expenses and/or treatments. Example 2: An employee nominates a customer who requires funding for a health and wellbeing related item such as the purchase of a wheelchair for their child/ family member. Local Grants: Schools and education providers i.e. extra-curricular activities and clubs managed by a school, kindergarten or education provider. Example 1: An employee is a member of their local school P&F association. The school requires new gym equipment to meet growing demand from students to participate in gymnastics. Example 2: An employee nominates their son’s kindergarten for a selection of new tricycles to replace the current ones that are rusted and no longer safe. Sports teams and clubs e.g. soccer, football, cricket teams, golf, bowls, swimming clubs, ballet, calisthenics etc. Example 1: An employee is a coach for their daughter’s soccer team and requires new training bibs and cones that will be used by teams for several years to come. Example 2: An employee has played cricket for a local club for the past five years and seeks funding support to purchase a new defibrillator for the club rooms.
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Community clubs e.g. senior citizens clubs, RSL clubs, gardening groups etc. Example 1: An employee volunteers at her mother’s senior citizen club that would like support to install a bocce pit for the members to stay physically active. Example 2: An employee was a founding committee member of a community garden. The site needs to have a ramp installed to allow people using mobility aids to access the gardens as its known that spending time in the gardens improves peoples’ wellbeing. Please note: Suncorp recognises that on occasions employees may experience extreme financial hardship resulting from a natural catastrophe or other events beyond their control. The Employee Hardship Program (EHP) can provide one off payments to employees to help support them through these difficult events. Refer to http://intranet.ourspace.int.corp.sun/people/policy/Documents/employee-hardship-program-guideline-hr.pdf 4.3. Receipt and use of funds Eligibility requirements for the receipt and use of funds are as follows: The funds will only be deposited into an account held by the nominated charity, community group, school, or sports club, or into an account held by a goods or service provider. The funds must be used for the purpose described in the application. If successful, applicants must provide evidence of use of funds within six months or an update about progress. The Brighter Futures Grants Judging Panel may determine what level of evidence is required on a case-bycase basis. Applications for individuals will only be considered for services or goods relating to the health and wellbeing of that person. The Grant amount awarded will be remitted against the relevant tax invoice for the actual services or goods. If the funds requested are not for the entire amount of the program, initiative or service described in the application, the applicant must be able to demonstrate how the recipient will utilise the balance. Some applicants will be requested to provide a tax invoice or other documentation for the goods or service provider during the validation of the application. 4.4. Not eligible for funding Applications for the following types of funding will not be considered: Event sponsorship Catering costs Prizes, sponsorships or award ceremonies Fundraising activities Commercial activities Retrospective funding i.e. for goods or services already commenced or expenditure previously committed Cash payments to individuals i.e. depositing into individuals’ bank accounts Organisations funding political, religious, military pursuits or animal welfare Grants for an individual recipient will only be provided where a tax invoice or other requested documentation from a supplier or service provider for goods or services is submitted. In addition to the restrictions above the following will not be considered specific to Local Grants: Applications for personal equipment for individuals or uniforms will not be considered however applications for items such as team bibs or general team training equipment may be considered; and Applications to cover operating costs such as staff wages, utility bills, telephone bills, public liability insurance costs, etc will not be considered.
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5. Review and assessment of applications Applications are assessed for eligibility by a Judging Panel appointed by Suncorp. The Judging Panel will generally consist of individuals from the Brighter Futures team and Good2Give. The Judging Panel will review all eligible applications against these guidelines and the criteria below. The Panel will favour applications across the two categories which demonstrate the following: • A long term commitment or association with the recipient. • A compelling need for support of the recipient. • Clear explanation of the potential positive impact the Grant will have for the recipient. • Support for one or more of Suncorp’s health and wellbeing categories as outlined in the funding priorities. • A specific service, program, initiative, equipment or goods. 5.1. Community Grants Applications for a Community Grant are scored against the following criteria: Criteria Interpretation Weighting Scoring guide
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How strong is the association between the Suncorp employee and the recipient?
How long have they known the recipient? How close is the relationship e.g. occasional donor, friend ofa-friend, close family member, dedicated volunteer, player or parent. The stronger the association the higher the score.
30%
How compelling is the recipient’s need for the Grant?
Applications which don’t demonstrate a great need score lower. Applications may be compelling but may not score highly because the recipient already receives ample corporate sponsorship.
20%
To what extent can the Grant be attributed to a specific service or good?
Applications which are very specific about what the money will be spent on score higher.
20%
1 = No association with recipient 2 = Known recipient for less than 12 months, or donated or volunteered for cause as a onceoff 3 = Friend of a friend or similar, known recipient for 2-3 years 4 = Family friend or relative, known recipient for at least 3 years, or clear dedication to cause through regular volunteering or donations 5 = Immediate relative, or deep association with cause e.g. founder, has received support from charity in the past 1 = The need is unclear 2 = The need is a ‘nice to have’ 3 = The need is clear but alternate sources of support are available 4 = Compelling case provided 5 = Very compelling case provided, the charity or individual would struggle to have this need met without the support of this grant 1 = Full grant amount requested, with no breakdown of costs 2 = Specific amount requested but no explanation as to how this amount was calculated 3 = Specific amount requested, and a rough explanation of the funds required 4 = Rough breakdown of costs, and references to demonstrate that costs are based on realistic estimates
5 = Clear breakdown of costs, and supporting documentation to demonstrate that costs are based on estimates or quotes What potential does the Grant have to make a positive impact on the community?
Applications which demonstrate a significant positive impact for the individual recipient or community score higher.
30%
1 = Will make little difference to the recipient 2 = Will only benefit the individual in the shortterm (<1 year), or will supplement the charity’s general funding requirements 3 = Will provide a nice memory or great relief for the individual, or will enable the charity to directly impact 25+ people 4 = Will improve the quality of life for the individual in the long-term, or will enable the charity to directly impact 100+ people 5 = Will make a significant difference to the life of the individual and/or their parents/carers, or will enable the charity to directly impact 250+ people through a specific program/service
5.2. Local Grants Applications for Local Grants are scored against the following criteria: Criteria Interpretation Weighting Scoring guide How strong is the association between the Suncorp employee and the recipient?
To what extent can the Grant be attributed to a specific service or good?
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Length of association with recipient (period of time) and closeness of the association (friend of a friend, dedicated volunteer, player or parent). Those with a stronger association score higher.
20%
0 = Less than 12 months 1 = At least 1 year, but less than 2 years 2 = At least 2 years, but less than 3 years 3 = At least 3 years, but less than 4 years 4 = At least 4 years, but less than 5 years 5 = 5 years or more
40%
Those applications which very clearly outline what the money would be spent on and if it is for a particular initiative or piece of equipment that will be an asset of the club or community group score higher.
5%
0 = I’m interested in the recipient but I’m not a member nor do I know any members 1 = I know someone who is a member e.g. friend or colleague 2 = I’m a member or my child is a member 3 = Volunteer (not including coach, leader, etc) 4 = I’m a coach, leader or similar 4 = I’m a board member, treasurer, or similar 5 = Founder/co-founder 1 = No quote attached 2 = NA 3 = Quote attached but only for less than half the amount requested 4 = NA 5 = Quote attached for at least half the amount requested
What potential does the Grant have to make a positive impact on the community?
Those applications which demonstrate a significant positive impact for the community score higher than applications where the funding outcome is not as significant.
35%
1 = Will make little difference to recipient 2 = Will only benefit the recipient in the shortterm (<1 year) (consider physical longevity if equipment/items are being funded) 3 = Will provide nice memory or great relief for the recipient, and/or enable the recipient to directly impact 25+ people 4 = Will make reasonable difference to the recipient, in the long-term, and/or enable the recipient to directly impact 100+ people 5 = Will make significant difference to the recipient, in the long-term, and/or enable the recipient to directly impact 250+ people
Please note: Once the Brighter Futures Judging Panel has met to review applications, their decision is final and no other discussion will be entered into. 6. How do I apply for a Brighter Futures Grant? You can apply for a Brighter Futures Grant by submitting an online application form at http://www.suncorpgroupbrighterfutures.com.au/grant_applications. Brighter Futures Grant applications are generally called for during designated rounds. The opening dates for rounds are listed on the Brighter Futures website and applications are open for one month. Successful applicants will be notified by email and announced internally up to three months after applications close. Funds will be distributed after this time. See section 7 for details around In-Demand Grants that fall outside the designated rounds. 7. In-Demand Grants In-Demand Grants of up to $10,000 may be made available in special circumstances for an individual, charity or organisations outside of designated rounds. This will be at the sole discretion of Suncorp and applications must adhere to all other program criteria and requirements. If you have any further enquiries please contact the Brighter Futures team by calling 07 3135 4030 or emailing
[email protected]
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APPENDIX – Health Category Descriptions Mental health The mental health category may include the treatment and care for people with mental illness that promotes better mental health outcomes for individuals. This category also includes programs offered by community organisations or charities that provide mental health awareness, promotion, treatments, support, prevention and early intervention. Categories that may fit within mental health are: Mental and behavioural disorders Anxiety and depression Schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders Mood disorders Neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders Behavioural syndromes associated with physiological disturbances and physical factors Disorders of personality and behaviour in adult persons Intellectual disability Disorders of psychological development Behavioural and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence Two examples of an application within this category are: An employee nominates the charity, CanTeen which supports young people living with cancer. The grant will be used to fund a program which specifically supports people experiencing grief as a result of their cancer experience. An employee nominates the charity, Kids Helpline which provide free online and telephone counselling services for young people. Women’s, men’s and children’s health This broad category may include the provision of goods or services by community organisations or charities for the treatment of major health burdens affecting our community (this may also include equipment). This category also incorporates, but is not limited to; medical treatments, mobility devices or other health related equipment and services for individuals. Two examples of an application within this category are: An employee nominates a long-term family friend who requires medical treatment/equipment for a significant health challenge. An employee nominates a sporting club that needs specific equipment for a health and wellbeing program designed to engage the local community in sport and recreational activities. Ageing health Community organisations that offer programs, services or equipment that contribute to the level of care provided in aged-care facilities or in people’s homes. This category also includes medical treatments, health related equipment and services for individuals. Two examples of an application within this category are: An employee nominates an elderly member of their family who requires a specific piece of equipment to assist their mobility or accessibility to their home. An employee nominates an aged-care facility to receive funding for medical equipment which will provide a higher level or more specialised care for residents. 7
Drug and alcohol abuse The drug and alcohol abuse category may include community organisations and charities that provide prevention, early intervention or treatment for drug and/or alcohol abuse problems and associated support or rehabilitation programs. An example of an application within this category is: An employee nominates the Australian Drug Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that works with communities to reduce drug and alcohol harm through various community programs, information and advocacy. Indigenous and minority groups’ health Community organisations that provide programs addressing challenges faced by Indigenous and minority groups, specific to health and wellbeing. This may include access to appropriate primary health care services and improvement of health outcomes through promotion, planning, and implementation of community health services. An example of an application within this category is: An employee nominates The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the peak national body representing Aboriginal community controlled health services on matters relating to Aboriginal health and wellbeing.
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