The mission of the Hamer Sprout Fund is “to build communities inspired to take action for a sustainable future”. These grants are provided as an incentive to new or established groups to develop initiatives that achieve this aim.

The objective of the Hamer Sprout Fund is to support projects and organisations that:

• Promote innovation in environmental education;
• Facilitate engagement in environmental action;
• Advocate for environmental sustainability; or
• Foster collaboration between young people engaged in environmental leadership.

Available funding

A total of $25,000 is available for the Sprout Grants each year. Up to $5,000 is available per project, however more (up to $10,000) may be awarded in exceptional circumstances.

Groups or individuals may submit more than one application if they have a number of eligible projects.

Closing date

The closing date for Hamer Sprout Fund Grant applications is 30 September each year. The Sprout Fund committee will endeavour to respond to all applicants within two months.

Preference may be given to applicants that have not already been allocated a grant within the current funding round.

Eligibility

You are eligible for a Sprout Grant if you are:

• An individual, organisation and/or community group.
• Not-for-profit.
• Offering activities, programs, projects and events to the general community without discrimination or restriction.
• Demonstrating some level of fundraising and financial contribution to your activities, programs, projects and events (which may include financial or in-kind assistance that might be obtained from other parties in the form of support or sponsorship).
• Tax deductible - Grants can only be made to charitable entities which are endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as having "Deductible Gift Recipients" (DGR) AND Tax Concession Charity (TCC) status. The requirements for DGR status are set by the ATO. For more information about DGR and TCC status see www.ato.gov.au/nonprofit. An organisation's name or ABN can be used to search the Australian Government's online Australian Business Register to check details of its DGR and TCC endorsements - http://www.abr.business.gov.au

Ineligible

• A registered business and / or profit making organisation.
• Seeking retrospective funding for activities, programs, projects and events that have already started or have been completed.
• Requesting funding that would otherwise be covered by insurance.

Successful grant recipients are required to:

• Commit to fully expending their grant within the agreed time frame;
• Use allocated funds only for the purposes outlined in the agreement, unless consent is given by the Sprout Fund for variations.
• Provide an evaluation of the project, outlining what has been achieved;
• Appropriately acknowledge the Hamer Sprout Fund’s support in all promotional material and information that relates to the grant-funded project;
• Adhere to the principles of access and equity at all times.

• Email: thehamersproutfund@gmail.com