This program provides $200,000 in funding for community programs and activities that enable older Australians to remain active, healthy, and engaged during the NSW Seniors Festival.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $10,000
- Application opened: 31 July 2023
- Application closed: 4 September 2023, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The NSW Seniors Festival Grant program encourages seniors in NSW to enjoy new experiences, continue learning, stay active and connect to their communities. It does this by:
- supporting a broad range of local community organisations
- supporting programs and activities in regional NSW
- fostering partnerships with community groups and services
- providing programs and activities for diverse communities in NSW
- supporting projects that empower older people to stay connected
- assisting organisations to increase capacity of current programs and activities.
This program is administered by Department of Communities and Justice and Seniors Festival.
This program is funded by Seniors Festival.
Eligibility
Who can apply
- Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations
- NSW local councils (and their section 355 committees) operating under the Local Government Act 1993
Who can’t apply
Applications will not be accepted from organisations that have outstanding acquittals with DCJ.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Applications can be for small scale, multiple and larger activities throughout the NSW Seniors Festival.
What can’t you apply for
Organisations must not use grant funds, including any interest earned, for the purposes of the grant.
Items or activities that funding cannot be used for include, for example:
- any activity of a commercial nature that is for profit
- existing debt or budget deficits
- capital works, including building work
- permanent salaries/wages (costs for temporary tutors/instructors for your program or activity can be included)
- permanent equipment purchases, for example tables and computers
- business as usual costs or general operating expenses
- programs or activities that encourage gambling such as bingo, or the consumption of alcohol
- programs and activities coordinated by NSW Government Departments and Statutory Authorities
- the same project twice. For example, two different organisations cannot apply for funds for the same program or activity.
Example projects
- Morning or afternoon tea social event
- Exercise or dance class
- Nature walk
- Art workshop
- Technology workshop or training
- Estate planning or legal information day
See examples of past events or visit the Seniors Festival events calendar to see what is coming up.
Most recent recipients
What was approved
Approved for Australia Chinese Youth Elite Club Incorporated
Empower CALD Seniors: Our project, Bridging Cultures, Enriching Lives, is a dynamic initiative aimed at fostering a strong sense of community and well-being among seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Recognizing the rich experiences and wisdom CALD seniors bring, we strive to create a platform that bridges generations and cultures.
$2,500 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
November 2023Location of the recipient
SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
47
Applications received
284
2024 NSW Seniors Festival Grant
Agency funding this grant
Seniors FestivalProgram term
Contracted for two weeks - 11 March 2024 unti 24 March 2024 - Acquittal must be completed by 14 May 2024What was approved
Approved for Better Hearing Australia Central Coast Inc
An open captioned version of a recently released film will be screened. A captioned screening, where the text version of speech and other sounds are displayed on the screen, will enable all seniors, including those who are deaf or have a hearing loss, to enjoy an outing to the cinema.
$1,500 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
November 2023Location of the recipient
Gosford 2250About the grant
Applications approved
47
Applications received
284
2024 NSW Seniors Festival Grant
Agency funding this grant
Seniors FestivalProgram term
Contracted for two weeks - 11 March 2024 unti 24 March 2024 - Acquittal must be completed by 14 May 2024What was approved
Approved for Black Diamond District Heritage Centre Incorporated
Once were young - still surfing at Sandon Point, Bulli birthplace of NIRAG, Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group, now in its 40th year. Our Seniors Festival event will trace the memories of NIRAG from its coastal Sandon Point NSW birthplace in 1984 through to 2024.
$750 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
November 2023Location of the recipient
WollongongAbout the grant
Applications approved
47
Applications received
284
2024 NSW Seniors Festival Grant
Agency funding this grant
Seniors FestivalProgram term
Contracted for two weeks - 11 March 2024 unti 24 March 2024 - Acquittal must be completed by 14 May 2024What was approved
Approved for Blacktown City Council
After consultation with presidents of senior citizens centres throughout Blacktown LGA, this project will provide original and interesting activities and events that will engage new participants throughout the large and diverse Blacktown LGA.
$5,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
November 2023Location of the recipient
BlacktownAbout the grant
Applications approved
47
Applications received
284
2024 NSW Seniors Festival Grant
Agency funding this grant
Seniors FestivalProgram term
Contracted for two weeks - 11 March 2024 unti 24 March 2024 - Acquittal must be completed by 14 May 2024What was approved
Approved for Blacktown Women And Girls Health Centre Inc
Seniors High Tea combined with Pop up Hair Cuts and Hand and head Massages, Gentle Chair Yoga Exercise. Our seniors have requested in consultation, a senior’s social group during senior’s week to bring isolated seniors together and engage in an opportunity of social connection.
$4,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
November 2023Location of the recipient
BlacktownAbout the grant
Applications approved
47
Applications received
284
2024 NSW Seniors Festival Grant
Agency funding this grant
Seniors FestivalProgram term
Contracted for two weeks - 11 March 2024 unti 24 March 2024 - Acquittal must be completed by 14 May 2024What your application needs to include
You can download the complete grant guidelines:
File
NSW Seniors Festival Grant Guidelines 2023 24 (PDF 199.17KB)Read the frequently asked questions:
File
NSW Seniors Festival Grant Program FAQs (PDF 124.43KB)And download a sample application form to see all the sections that need to be addressed in the applications portal:
File
NSW Seniors Festival Grant application form (PDF 92.84KB)
Prepare your application with this checklist
Information you need to gather before you apply includes:
- your organisation name and details
- evidence that your organisation is covered by Public Liability Insurance to a minimum of $20 million.
- If your organisation is not covered, you can approach another organisation to sponsor your application (such as your local council). Please read our guide to applications via a sponsoring bodyfor more information.
- evidence that your organisation is located in NSW and that the proposed project will occur in NSW.
Make sure you address all the eligibility criteria and use the assessment criteria provided below to help you structure your application.
In addition, you should consider your obligations if your application is successful.
These will include:
- notifying the project manager of any proposed changes to your funded project. This may include changes to the proposed project, dates, venues and expenditure of approved funding.
- registering your program or activities on the NSW Seniors Festival website.
- publicly acknowledging the support of the NSW Government using specific logos and text.
- acquitting your grant by submitting a written report on the outcomes of your funded project within 30 days of project completion.
Please note that conditions of funding will be detailed in a common funding agreement. Failure to comply with these conditions may preclude your organisation from receiving a Seniors Festival grant in the future.
Address the eligibility criteria
All applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Applications must propose free or heavily discounted programs or activities for seniors in NSW
- Projects must be located within NSW and conducted between 11-24 March 2024
- Projects must be open to all that identify as a Senior in NSW
Applicants must be from:
- incorporated not-for-profit community organisations
- NSW local council operating under the Local Government Act 1993.
Address the assessment criteria
Eligible organisations must meet the following assessment criteria to be considered for funding:
- Activities must be accessible, where possible
- Demonstrated ability to meet the eligibility criteria
- Whether the application meets the program objectives
- Demonstrate value for money
- Organisational capacity and capability, how they will collaborate and consult with relevant stakeholders.
Priority will be given to:
- seniors
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander’s over 50
- seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
- senior lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or asexual (LGBTIQA+)
- senior living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness
- senior carers
- seniors in rural, regional and remote areas.
Start the application
Applications for this grant are available via the Grants portal.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: The delegated DCJ officer will be the decision-maker, as per the NSW Grant Administration Guide.
Applications will be reviewed by the eligibility team for eligibility and compliance with grant guidelines and eligible criteria.
They will then be subject to the assessment process which will include assessment by the Assessment Team and recommendations to the Assessment Panel.
Applicants will be formally notified on whether their application has been successful. It is an applicant’s responsibility to ensure all contact details are up to date.
Note: all applicants
- must ensure that their contact details are up to date
- must not have any outstanding acquittals for any other funding program with DCJ.