Organisational development

Looking ahead and being more effective is an essential part of any organisation’s success. Organisational development grants can help organisations learn, explore options, plan and develop for the future.

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What we can support

We support all kinds of development activities that build the capacity of your organisation including:

  • Developing strategic, business, marketing and funding diversity plans
  • Undertaking feasibility studies, such as for changing the strategic direction of an organisation or to explore accommodation options
  • Developing operating policies and procedures or training materials
  • Carrying out a staff training needs assessment
  • Professional development including training for volunteers and Board members
  • Developing quality assurance strategies 
  • Supporting compliance with the new Associations Incorporation Act 2015 where organisations are challenged to cover the costs. Go to the Department of Commerce website for details on changes to this law
  • Improving your organisation’s ability to carry out fundraising activities
  • Supporting not-for-profit organisations to access philanthropy
  • Supporting the ‘social’ elements of a social enterprise
  • Support for attending relevant, local conferences, seminars and workshops for people who could not otherwise afford to attend
  • Consultancy and professional fees
  • Staff relief and travel to enable participation in a relevant organisational development activity

Most importantly, we want to understand what your needs and ideas are and explore ways we may support them. Please talk to us.

 
What we’re looking for

  • Suitability of the development activity for your needs
  • The impact the activity will have on your organisation Likelihood of organisational improvement
  • Ongoing benefits for your organisation and/or the community 
  • Opportunities to share the knowledge and skills gained
  • Retained learning within your organisation
  • Involvement of your Board, staff and volunteers
  • A sound budget and the inclusion of other income sources

 
What we need from you

  • A completed Lotterywest grant application form
  • Two written quotes for items over $3,000; a written estimate, advertised price, or one written quote for items under $3,000 (low value, miscellaneous items can be grouped together to $1,000)
  • Minutes of the board meeting endorsing the proposal
  • Full details of the conference or seminar including the program and proposed speakers and budget (if applicable)
  • Details of how and why you selected any consultants involved and their credentials (if applicable)
  • The individual’s curriculum vitae and a course outline (for professional development requests)
  • For requests to support a social enterprise - your organisation’s enterprise plan and business case or equivalent

We also need additional information about your organisation. Find out more in our getting started section.

 
Resources

For a comprehensive list of tools and resources to guide you through the application process, visit the FAQ page.

What other scholarship programs and support are available for the not-for-profit sector?

Atlantic Philanthropies- Led by the University of Melbourne
Starting in 2017, up to 25 fellowships will be awarded annually for the next 20 years, to develop some 500 social change agents, influential leaders and innovative thinkers. Find out more here.

Australian Institute of Company Directors
Scholarships assist participants to attend not-for-profit courses run by the Institute of Company Directors across Australia. Find out more here. 

Australian Institute of Management Western Australia
The Australian Institute of Management WA recognises the work of not-for-profit organisations and aspiring professionals in the community wishing to embark on professional development by providing training up to the value of $4,000 that can be used to fund participation in any of the Open Programs offered by the Institute. Find out more here.

Australian Scholarships Foundation
The Australian Scholarship Foundation(ASF) provides access to free or substantially discounted executive management, mentoring and training programs in a range of management disciplines to directors, staff and volunteers of not for profit organisations through its scholarship programs. Find out more here.

CPA and Pro Bono Australia - Mentor the Treasurer
This program allows qualified CPAs to volunteer their time and expertise to mentor treasurers of small not-for-profit organisations. Find out more here.

Fulbright Scholarship
The Fulbright Professional Scholarship in Non-Profit Leadership provides an opportunity for an emerging leader in the not-for-profit sector to undertake a program of research and/or professional development in the U.S. with an approved U.S. charitable organisation. Find out more here.

Harvard Club of Australia
Scholarships allow participants to attend the renowned Harvard Business School course titled “Strategic Perspectives in Non Profit Management” (SPNM)  held in July each year. Find out more here.

Macquarie Group Foundation - David Clarke Social Innovation Fellowship
Scholarships are available for leaders of not-for-profit organisations to visit and research best practice social innovation projects/ sites in their field. Find out more here.

University of NSW Business School 
Scholarships are available to build capacity in community organisations by offering training and business education to talented management staff. Find out more here.

University of Technology Sydney - Mark Lyons Scholarship
Scholarships aim to improve the quality of leadership and management skills in the Australian not-for-profit sector. Find out more here.

University of Western Australia Business School/Centre for Social Impact - BHP Billiton Social Impact (Not-for-Profit) Scholarship  
Scholarships provide financial assistance to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Social Impact at UWA and currently working in the not-for-profit sector. Find out more here.


Apply now

Approved grants list

Use the table below to view Lotterywest grants approved in the last year, and find out more about what’s being supported in your community.

Click the column headers to filter results, or type a keyword into the search box to find specific results.

REQ. NO. REQ COMMISS HEAR DATE Date Recipient Subprogram Desc Purpose AGENDA SUM PUBLICATION Amount TOWN/SUBURB Postcode Region Name Location LGA Name
Latest grants stories
See all stories
  • $10 million to feed WA's hungry
    Grant stories

    $10 million to feed WA's hungry

    Foodbank WA recognises Lotterywest's $10 million contribution

    Read more
  • Picturesque Pingelly benefits
    Grant stories

    Picturesque Pingelly benefits

    Almost $25,000 has been provided with a Lotterywest grant.

    Read more
  • Parkour pizazz at Youth Plaza
    Grant stories

    Parkour pizazz at Youth Plaza

    A lot happens when you play.

    Read more
  • From theatre to home
    Grant stories

    From theatre to home

    A Lotterywest grant has supported Black Swan State Theatre with a live broadcast.

    Read more
  • On your marks... and go!
    Grant stories

    On your marks... and go!

    A Lotterywest grant is supporting WA’s peak high performance athletes.

    Read more
  • A picturesque Pemberton pool
    Grant stories

    A picturesque Pemberton pool

    Summer is coming – and we’ve found the coolest spot around

    Read more
  • Growing friendships
    Grant stories

    Growing friendships

    Friendships blossom at Willetton Community Garden.

    Read more
  • Mosman Park Men's Shed
    Grant stories

    Mosman Park Men's Shed

    Pedal power with a difference is helping this young boy.

    Read more
  • Visionary van hits the road
    Grant stories

    Visionary van hits the road

    Supported by a Lotterywest grant of nearly $2 million, the Lions Outback Vision Van will travel more than 24,000km a year throughout the State and has the capacity to treat up to 200 people each week.

    Read more
  • The Lighthouse Project
    Grant stories

    The Lighthouse Project

    The impact has been far greater than what we had ever imagined.

    Read more
  • Building a Community
    Grant stories

    Building a Community

    It’s so important for children with type 1 diabetes to be supported.

    Read more
  • Fremantle Youth Plaza
    Grant stories

    Fremantle Youth Plaza

    It's the number one skate spot in Australia for good reason!

    Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can I ask for?

We accept applications from $1,000 upwards. Please don't under or over estimate your request. Apply for the amount that will serve the need properly.

  • There are limits for unincorporated groups and organisations not GST registered. The limit is a combined total of up to $15,000 for each financial year.
How long is the process?

If your application is complete when you submit it to us, it will generally take three months to progress to the Lotterywest Board for consideration. If your request is more complex, or there are aspects of your application that are outstanding or need development, it can take longer. Please factor in these timeframes for funding your event or project. We will let you know as soon as possible if your application is not eligible for Lotterywest support, not ready to progress or hasn’t provided enough time for us to assess it before you need an outcome.

How are applications assessed?

Your application will be assessed by a member of our team who then makes a recommendation to the Lotterywest Board. Our Board reviews all grant recommendations. A final recommendation is then presented to the Minister for Lotterywest for approval.

A typical grant process looks like this:

  1. Seek information via website
  2. Talk with us about your proposal
  3. Gather your requirements and necessary documentation
  4. Develop and submit your application
  5. Assessment, including referee checks and any follow up conversation with you
  6. Our internal review and recommendation to the Board
  7. Board meeting and review
  8. Recommendation to the Minister for Lotterywest
  9. Application decision and advice
  10. Grant payment and acquittal
  11. Sharing your good news
Which form do I fill out to apply for a grant?

Our range of grant types gives you an idea of what we can support. If your idea doesn't fit one of these or your request covers more than one grant type, please call us.

For full functionality and visibility of our forms and application buttons, you will need to use the latest version of Internet Explorer and Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Grant application forms expire 6 months after being downloaded from our website. If your form has expired, please call us for advice on how to progress your application. Grant application forms cannot be downloaded from mobile devices.

Should I engage a consultant?

Whether you are developing a strategic, business or marketing plan, conducting a training review, planning your information and communications technology needs or designing a community facility - engaging a consultant may help in the following circumstances:

  • If you need expert advice
  • When you don't have enough people to do the work
  • If attempts to do something internally haven't worked
  • To help move past internal differences of opinion
  • When you need a fresh view
  • To challenge your organisation’s culture and assumptions

Choose a consultant who is recommended by others and has a proven track record in providing relevant, high quality advice. They should also have the ability to offer fresh ideas and someone who understands your organisation, its work and values so that they may add value by sharing and building skills with your staff.

We can help with the cost of engaging a consultant, for details please refer to our organisational development grants. You may also want to explore options for pro bono (free) or discounted consultancy support.

We’ve developed a Directory of Consultants to help you look for consultancy support to suit your project. The Lotterywest Directory of Consultants provides details of consultants, together with referees, who’ve provided services to other community organisations and/or local government authorities in a range of areas.

The inclusion of a consultant in the Directory is not an endorsement of their work by Lotterywest. It is up to you to do your own research to decide whether a consultant is suitable for your project. You do not need to use the services of one of these consultants for your project to be supported. We welcome your feedback to help us keep the Directory current and useful.

Other helpful tips:

  • Don’t hire a consultant to justify a decision that has already been made
  • Make sure everyone in your organisation understands what the consultant is doing and what will be provided
  • Provide a clear written brief to the consultant before engaging them outlining what you want done and why
  • Make sure you agree what you want the consultant to deliver, together with a defined timeframe
  • Check the contract before you sign and engage the consultant
  • Be prepared to modify the contract if circumstances change
  • Use the contract as a reference point to make sure you receive what you have agreed before making a final payment

Common Use Agreements (CUAs) are whole-of-government standing offers. They are awarded to a single or panel of suppliers to provide goods or services commonly used by government agencies. Western Australian public authorities, other government entities, local government authorities and registered Public Benevolent Institutions can buy from CUA suppliers. Your organisation may be in a position to benefit from CUA arrangements. Find out more at Contracts WA.

The Connecting Up Suppliers Directory connects Not-For-Profit organisations with IT providers. Visit Connecting Up for more information.

More FAQs