What is Family Support Funding Program?
The Family Support Funding Program (FSFP) is an initiative that will help community organisations to deliver support and services of value to Defence families and the community they live in.
Background
The Family Support Funding Program (FSFP) aims to build the capacity of individuals, families and communities to contribute to the local community in which they are posted through the theme of Thriving Communities.
Projects delivered under the FSFP Thriving Communities theme should provide a range of highquality and cost-effective services that link Defence families into the local community, with the potential to develop new services in response to their changing community needs. Successful recipients of an FSFP grant can include but not limited to running events, programs and services, be a base for outreach and referral point for families to other local services, have strong working relationships with other local community services and deliver projects to help Defence communities thrive.
The FSFP provides single and multi-year grants. Multi-year grants are available in two or threeyear funding terms. Single-year grants are the default arrangement; organisations wishing to be considered for multi-year funding must have demonstrated track record of strong governance and been a previous FSFP recipient.
Objectives
FSFP provides funding to not-for-profit organisations to:
- support Defence families to come together for mutual support, education, connection with the community they live in and support for their overall personal and social wellbeing
- support Defence families to engage with each other and their local communities to minimise the challenges and enhance the opportunities that come with the unique military lifestyle
- empower Defence families to thrive by giving them the confidence they need to succeed in managing the Defence way of life
- support community capacity building by identifying and nurturing partnership opportunities to support the delivery for a strengthened sense of community for Defence families, reducing the feeling of isolation that a posting can bring.
The objectives of FSFP grants are to:
- facilitate learning opportunities and promote personal growth and wellbeing for adults and children, creating a positive impact on physical and social development
- create opportunities to form new friendships and networks and share information and ideas to help them manage the demands of military life
- develop innovative ways and new initiatives in response to emerging needs and priorities identified within the Defence community, maximising access to, and use of local community services
- increase the community engagement and participation of Defence families in their local community
- assist organisations and their volunteers to develop skills and build community capacity
- encourage partnerships between local organisations and the development of local community networks.
Funding
Approximately $1.9 million has been allocated for the 2022-23 financial year. Successful applications will receive a grant between $5,000 and $75,000. All amounts are GST not applicable. DMFS may offer a once off short-term grant opportunity during the grant cycle, which will be for projects able to be delivered in a maximum 6 month period.
Eligible Projects
Applicants should demonstrate how the project will achieve the program aims and objectives. Actual eligible and non-eligible projects and activities are determined by the FSFP Advisory Committee based on available funds and the number of successful applications. Please note the following list is a guide only:
- projects that improve the health and wellbeing of Defence families living, working or studying in the local community
- projects that support Defence families at risk of social isolation to connect with others in their community and with local services
- projects that share understanding and cater to the generational and emerging needs of Defence families
- projects that improve the skills and capacity of Defence families and groups to lead, support community connection and build resilient communities
- partnerships with neighbouring community organisations or local businesses where Defence families and the local community can come together to socialise and connect with each other.
Applications for other projects that meet the objectives of the program are encouraged.
Projects can support one or all eligible categories, but not limited to:
- catering/meals—funding for meals must be intrinsic to cooking or nutrition projects, part of costs that involve overnight stay or linked to social connection activities
- replacement items—consideration will be given to replacing items previously funded through FSFP after a period two years or more time has elapsed
- evaluation costs
- administration costs—some administrative costs may be considered if directly and exclusively associated with the establishment of the project.
- volunteer expenses—may only include expenses relating to training to ensure volunteers are appropriately qualified/accredited (e.g. Workplace Health and Safety training and First Aid training)
- equipment and furnishings—funding may be considered for equipment and furnishings that are integral to a project, but all items must be justified and be relevant to the project
- community engagement—activities, events and programs that focus on personal and social wellbeing
- project officer—may be considered for a 12-month period to establish a project and administer its associated program of health and wellbeing activities
- organisations can bid for the cost of auditor fees in the annual FSFP grant.
Successful recipients of an FSFP grant will deliver projects to help Defence communities thrive.
Eligible Applicants
To be eligible, applicants must be one of the following Australian not-for-profit organisations whose volunteers’ work supports families and/or communities in Australia and are legal entities and have been operating for 12 months or longer.
A not-for-profit (NFP) organisation whose NFP status must be demonstrated through one of the following:
- current Registration with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
- state or territory incorporated association status
- constitutional documents and/or Articles of Association that demonstrate the not-for-profit character of your organisation.
Timing
Applications close 03 December 2021.
