How to apply

For a grant to be considered, the request must be in writing.
All applications are assessed against specific guidelines and are subject to approval by our Grants Coordinator and the Board.

You can apply for a Grant through the online form on this page or by downloading and submitting the Application Form below.

GRANT APPLICATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES MARCH 2020

The Foundation

The Foothills Foundation is a diverse group of business people whose aim is to improve the lives of disadvantaged people in our community, by raising funds ethically, assuring our financial sustainability, building connectivity within our community and awarding grants to local people and community groups in need. Established in 1976, The Foothills Foundation Inc. (ARN A0026188U) is a bona fide charity and is a not-for-profit organization (ABN:68582921647). The Foundation has also set up the Foothills Charitable Trust to ATO requirements and Trustees have been appointed. Donations to the Trust are tax deductable.

Grants

Grants are given to disadvantaged people in our community, or to organizations that support people in need in our community. For a grant to be considered, the request should be in writing, preferably on the official application form (Annex 1) and usually needs to be submitted by a community/care organization. However, individual requests can be acted upon. The Foundation can also partner with other agencies/organisations/business groups, for example, on specific projects or initiatives, or in responding to grant applications.

Grant Applications

All requests for Grants should to be sent to the Foothills Foundation through the Grants Sub-Committee; the email address is bruce.stewart@foothills.org.au. Supporting documentation from a medical practitioner, case-worker, referral agency, local council or relatives, for example, should be attached.

Handling of Grant Applications

The Foothills Foundation Board has designated a Sub-Committee to deal with Grant Applications. Their role is to investigating each application and either award the grant or present a proposal to the Board for responding to the application. A turn around time of approximately one week should be expected in most cases.

The Grants Sub-Committee will be acquainted with other groups in the area that do similar funding to the Foothills Foundation so as to consider joint offers or referrals. In assessing grants, applicants should also identify what other avenues they have attempted in seeking support, including their local council and other local charity groups.

Criteria for evaluating Footman Trust Grants

Criteria 1: ​Funds must be directed to disadvantaged people in need in our community.  

Criteria 2:​Funds must be directed to those living or working in our “Giving Area”, that is, Maroondah City Council, Knox City Council and Yarra Ranges Council areas.

Grants to marginally close areas will be considered by the full Board taking into consideration the locality, need and involvement of other related charity organisations. (Annex 2).

Criteria 3:​Funds should be directed towards items such as mobility devices, communication/educational items, special requirements (e.g. body splints, arm gaiters, compression garments, etc.), specialist living aids (e.g. reclining chairs, care-reachers, supportive shoes) and assisting disability support groups, the homeless, people subject to domestic violence and charitable organisations providing related and relevant support, or other purposes as approved by the Board after due consideration of the application.

Funding for purposes not identified above will be considered by the Sub-Committee on an exceptions basis. Agreement to fund such exceptional grants must be endorsed by the Board.

Criteria 4:​Grants will not normally exceed $2,000.

Funding over $2000 would be considered on an exceptions basis. Agreement to fund such exceptional grants must be endorsed by the Board.

Partnering Relationships

The Foothills Foundation will partner with other like-minded local charity organizations in specific projects or initiatives or in responding to grant applications. Such partnering arrangements would be subject to approval by the Board.

Declining Applications

Should an application, for some reason, fail to meet the above criteria, the Grants Sub-Committee can seek to determine if the Foundation can assist the applicant in any other way. Should this be possible, and be within the bounds of the Grant Application requirements, the Foundation Board may reconsider a further Grant Application following the above practices and procedures.

Check List:

1. Contact details
   
2. Details of Recipient
   
3. Specifics of Grant Request / use of Funds
   
4. Supporting Documentation

"Improving The Lives Of Disadvantaged People In Our Community"