Apply for the Summerfield Community benefit fund

Summerfield Battery Community Benefit Fund Guidelines

Please read this section before completing the below application form.

Eligibility

To be considered, your project event or initiative must meet one or more of the below fund objectives:

• Community safety, health and wellbeing – keeping our communities safe and looking after ourselves and each other

• Environment and sustainability – helping the community to be more sustainable or environmentally conscious, or looking after the planet including through research

• Social and community development – helping the community to be the best it can through projects that alleviate disadvantage, provide fit-for-purpose facilities or programs, or promote equality and respect or tourism

• Education and skill development – initiatives that support people in the community to improve existing and develop new skills related to either employment or other interests aligned with the objectives listed here

• Culture, art and tourism – events or initiatives that provide experiences to enjoy the local area, or focus on history or creativity

• First Nations culture and community – projects that advance outcomes for Indigenous peoples and communities, or improve understanding of Indigenous culture in the local area.

We are also looking for projects that:

• Are based in or will directly benefit the Mid Murray or Murray Bridge local government areas. Priority will be given to projects or benefits that are geographically close to the Summerfield project site (within 25km), then to those within 50km, and so on

• Can be delivered quickly, with a clear plan for the timing of delivery within 12 months (see recipient obligations below)

• Can clearly outline the costs associated with the amount of funding being applied for

• Can demonstrate lasting benefit to the community and/or specific individuals within it

• Can be delivered or administered by an organisation (club, associate, non-profit, company etc.)

Organisations can apply for up to $10,000. Where more than $2,500 is requested for a single project/initiative, your application will need to include supporting documentation, such as quotes for materials or services, or letters of support. Organisations requesting up to $2,500 are also encouraged to provide supporting documentation to assist with assessment.

Who can apply for sponsorship funding?

Incorporated organisations such as (but not limited to):

• Schools, parents and citizens (P&C) associations or educational institutions

• Charities

• Community clubs

• Environmental organisations

• Sporting clubs

• Industry or business associations

• Small businesses

• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisations.

Organisations are also required to have the appropriate type and level of insurance for delivery of the proposed initiative or project. Evidence of current insurance must be provided upon request.

 Exclusions

• Events or projects that have already taken place (i.e. applying for funding retrospectively). Future incidences of recurring (i.e., annual) events are eligible

• Political organisations, campaigns or events

• Religious organisations, to deliver religious programs

• Costs considered to be associated with an applicant’s core business, or ongoing operating costs

• Applicants seeking financial support for expenses such as prize money or insurances

• Initiatives deemed high-risk or dangerous, or posing an unacceptable safety risk

• Events that promote gambling, alcohol, bullying or any illegal or unethical activities

• Funding for commercial enterprises, salaries or wages, or repayment of debts and loans

• Core funding that is the responsibility of federal, state or local government.

Successful applicants are not excluded from re-applying in future funding rounds (unless previously awarded funds have not been acquitted per the previous agreement).

If you have a question regarding eligibility or exclusions, or would like to discuss individual circumstances you don’t feel are covered by either of the above sections, please contact the project team on 1800 97 17 10 or hello@summerfieldbattery.com.au.

Application assistance

If your organisation has questions or requires assistance completing the application, please get in touch on 1800 97 17 10 or hello@summerfieldbattery.com.au, and we will arrange for a team member to get in touch to discuss your needs and provide support.

Decision making process

Applications for funding will be assessed by the Summerfield Battery Project, and its Community Benefit Committee twice yearly (or as otherwise communicated), with final approval provided by the Summerfield Battery Project Steering Committee. For the purposes of the first round of funding (to be delivered in late 2025), an interim Committee has been established in partnership with key stakeholder representatives and members of the project team.

At the completion of the first round of funding the Project will review CBC membership with the aim of extending the group to include additional community representatives (i.e. business, education, health, local government or community organisations).

This approach ensures that the potential benefits of each application are considered from a local community perspective. This group will meet following the close of each funding round and make recommendations to the delegated financial decision-makers within the project Steering Committee.

The CBC will assess applications based on:

• How well the proposed project/initiative addresses one or more of the Fund objectives

• The number of people/groups that will be positively impacted by the project/initiative, including any relation to marginalized groups or communities

• The delivery timeframe, preferencing ideas that are well formed and have a clear plan for their completion.

Decisions/recommendations may include:

• A request for more information. This may include postponing a decision until the next round (to allow for the additional information to be provided and considered)

• Awarding a different amount than that requested.

Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application within six weeks of the round closing. Funding decisions are final, however unsuccessful applicants are not precluded from re-applying in future rounds. The Project team will be available to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants if desired.

Successful applicants

Successful applicants will receive a letter that clearly outlines the obligations of each party and any conditions tied to the funding. Acceptance of funds will be taken as acknowledgement that these obligations and conditions are accepted by the applying party.

Recipient obligations

By accepting funds from the Summerfield Battery Community Benefit Fund, successful applicants are required to meet a number of obligations. These are outlined below:

• Successful applicants provide their permission for the Summerfield Battery team to include the organisation/group or project in promotional materials relating to the CBFP, unless an agreement is reached prior (where there are grounds for the applicant or initiative to remain confidential).

• Successful applicants will need to provide further details, such as a tax invoice and bank details, to allow for payment.

• Successful applicants will have 12 months from the date funds are paid to deliver the funded program unless timing is otherwise agreed (either during the application process or once successful).

• The successful applicant is required to advise the Summerfield Battery team when the project has been launched/delivered, or the related funds spent in full – whichever comes first – through the Recipient Report Back Form which will be provided to successful applicants. This may require receipts demonstrating actual costs incurred. Where this amount differs by >10% of the granted amount, the Summerfield Battery team reserves the right to request return of unspent funds.

• We understand that things can change, so in the event that the project or initiative approved for funding is cancelled or cannot be completed, the Summerfield Battery team must be informed as soon as practicable. The Summerfield Battery team reserves the right to request the return of funds if a suitable replacement initiative that meets the objectives and eligibility criteria of the Fund is not offered by the organisation/group within 60 days of cancellation of the original project. The CBC will then assess the alternative application, with the Summerfield Battery team to confirm in writing whether or not it has been accepted before funds are spent.

• Acknowledge the Summerfield Battery Project’s support in promotional communications.

• The recipient assumes all commercial responsibilities including public risk/liability for delivery of the project/initiative.

Click this link for a PDF copy of the Guidelines for your records (opens in a new window and can be downloaded).