Strengthening and Adapting Organisations

We’re here to help you strengthen your organisation; from challenge comes the opportunity for change.

The objective of this grant program is to support organisations and community groups to prepare for, and implement, longer-term organisational changes. This support will foster a more innovative, collaborative and resilient network of not-for-profit organisations and community groups that can better serve the needs of communities during and following the crisis.

Grant applications must seek to achieve one or more of the outcomes outlined below.

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Outcomes focus

  1. Enhanced organisational governance and capability to be stronger and well positioned to respond to any further crisis

  2. The development of innovative business models or service delivery models that support community organisations and the not-for-profit sector achieve greater impact.

  3. Enhanced collaboration across the not-for-profit-sector towards shared goals.

The first grant round is now closed

The second grant round is planned to be open between noon Wednesday 27 January and 5pm Wednesday 24 February.

We were blown away with the interest in the first grant round. We received many inspiring and innovative applications.

Applications for the second grant round will be open between noon Wednesday 27 January and 5pm Wednesday 24 February. This means that applications will only be accepted within this set period.

How to prepare for the next grant round

We encourage you to call us to discuss your idea in the lead up to the next application period. Time permitting, we will work with you to develop your proposal.

We are currently finalising the grant program criteria and application form. We encourage you to register for grant updates by clicking here.

To find out what documents you will be asked to provide during your application please click here.

Strengthening and Adapting Organisations - Who can be supported?

Not-for-profit organisations and local government authorities.

Strengthening and Adapting Organisations - What can be supported (general)?

To be eligible for Lotterywest support a grant request must be:

  • for charitable or benevolent purposes with outcomes that align with one of our COVID-19 Relief Fund streams. 
  • directly related to your organisation’s purpose. Quick tip: You can check the ‘objects’ or ‘purpose’ in your organisation’s constitution or rules
  • taking place in WA, or be of direct benefit to the WA community
Strengthening and Adapting Organisations - What are the expected outcomes?

Proposals must seek to deliver one, or multiple of the below outcomes.

  • Enhanced organisational governance and capability to be stronger and well positioned to respond to any further crisis
  • The development of innovative business models or service delivery models that support community organisations and the not-for-profit sector achieve greater impact
  • Enhanced collaboration across the not-for-profit-sector towards shared goals
Strengthening and Adapting Organisations - What are some examples of projects which may be supported for ACCO organisations?

For ACCOs were looking to support proposals which align to one, or multiple of the grant program outcomes.

This may include:

  • Development of a strategy or digital solution for an organisation to generate income or fundraise through new channels.
  • A ‘health check’ to help an organisation work out how it needs to adapt in order to be more effective and resilient.
  • The implementation of a new business model to diversify income streams by working with different sectors of the community.
  • Supporting an organisation that helps young people into employment pathways to develop a social enterprise arm to achieve greater sustainability
  • Support for a regional collective of Traditional Owners, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Aboriginal Ranger groups to develop and implement an innovative framework to deliver cultural land management initiatives.

Strengthening and Adapting Organisations – What are some examples of projects which may be supported for other eligible organisations?

For other eligible organisations (not-for-profit or local government authorities) we’re looking to support proposals which align to multiple program outcomes, with a priority on the development of innovative business models or service delivery models that support community organisations and the not-for-profit sector achieve greater impact.

Example projects include:

  • Scaling up an IT based service innovation that enabled an organisation to reach more people during COVID-19.
  • Support for a community organisation to transition or expand its programs to online platforms to improve customer access to services.
  • Trialling a new ‘co-design’ approach to delivering a service in a regional area in order to respond to a new need that has arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Implementation of a merger of organisations supporting the same client group in different locations, to ensure long term sustainability and improve access to the range of services available for clients.
  • Development and implementation of a collective data and outcomes management system across a number of organisations working with vulnerable people to improve analysis of changing needs and inform service responses.
  • Preparatory work to scope a project which would enable not-for-profits to share, buy or sell under-utilised resources, expertise and spare capacity e.g. buildings, vehicles, equipment, specialist staff skills, back office services
  • Applying the lessons learned from international best practice in engaging CALD communities in the arts through a new innovative program
Strengthening and Adapting Organisations - What won't be supported?
  • Projects which don’t align with program outcomes
  • Initiatives fully funded by others or which are the responsibility of a government agency
  • Contingency costs
  • Retrospective costs (unless by exception)
Strengthening and Adapting Organisations - What are the indicators of change for this grant stream?
  • Improvements to organisational governance, resilience and risk strategies
  • Increased use of innovative technologies and/or business models
  • Development of new service models
  • Improved preparedness for responding to crisis and opportunities to be more effective
  • Better understanding of the organisation's capabilities and areas for development
  • Greater collaboration within and across the sectors
  • Broad benefits extending beyond the organisation
  • improved delivery of/access to activities and/or services
Strengthening and Adapting Organisations - What are the assessment considerations for this grant program?

Detailed assessment criteria are being developed. Please check back in at the launch of the next grant round on Wednesday 27 January 2021.