Program overview

Transgrid has launched a new $500,000 funding for community organisations and not-for-profit groups in the Broken Hill and Far West NSW areas.

Charities and not-for-profit groups are invited to apply for up to $10,000 in funding to help provide a range of resources for their local communities. The funding will be made available in three rounds. Applications for the first round of $200,000 closed on December 7, 2024. The funding is expected to be distributed to eligible recipients by February 2025. The remaining two rounds of $150,000 each will be distributed in early 2025.

This new funding initiative is in addition to Transgrid’s $1.5 million contribution to the NSW Government’s community support package, which aids residents and businesses impacted by the recent outage.

To date, Transgrid's Community Partnerships Program has contributed over $1 million to more than 275 organisations, including sporting clubs, Indigenous groups, social welfare and aged care providers, emergency response services, and youth organisations. For further information about the Community Partnerships Program, visit our Community Partnerships Program webpage.

Current program status: Closed

Current round close date: Applications for Round 1 closed on 7 December 2024

Grant amount: Grants of up to $10,000 are available

Eligible postcodes: 2648, 2715, 2836, 2879, 2880

Need more information?

Please read our FAQs for answers about eligibility and the application process. We require evidence of costs (such as at least two quotes or other proof of the cost of works) as part of each grant application.

To help eligible groups complete applications, Transgrid will host online workshops, and be in Broken Hill throughout November 2024.

If you would like to receive regular updates or participate in one of our online workshops, please email cpp@transgrid.com.au or call 1800 222 537.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is eligible to apply for the Broken Hill & Far West Community Partnerships Program?

The Broken Hill & Far West Community Partnerships Program is open to not-for-profit organisations delivering benefits to local communities in impacted areas of Broken Hill & Far West NSW. This includes community groups and service providers, registered charities, and other not-for-profit organisations.

Eligible organisations must be able to answer ‘yes’ to the questions below:

  1. Are you a not-for-profit organisation?
  2. Will your initiative provide a lasting and tangible benefit to the community in which you operate?
  3. Is your organisation located, or does your organisation deliver services, within the specified region?
  4. Do you hold an ABN for the applicable organisation? Or will your grant be supported by an incorporated not-for-profit organisation?
  5. Is your postcode listed as eligible in the specified postcodes?

2. How much money can my organisation apply for?

Grants of up to $10,000 are available through the Broken Hill & Far West Community Partnerships Program.

If your initiative costs more than that, you are still able to apply – you will simply need to demonstrate in your application how you plan to raise the remainder of the funds needed to ensure you can successfully deliver your initiative.

3. Can my organisation apply for a smaller amount?

Organisations are encouraged to apply for any amount between $500 and $10,000 through the program.

4. How do I apply?

For a step-by-step guide on how to apply, click the ‘Apply Now’ button on the Broken Hill & Far West Community Partnership Program webpage.

You must apply through SmartyGrants, the most-used grant making system in Australia, to help facilitate all applications. You can find out more about SmartyGrants by visiting their website http://www.smartygrants.com.au.

5. What is SmartyGrants?

Transgrid is utilising SmartyGrants, the most-used grant making system in Australia, to help facilitate all applications. SmartyGrants provides an online platform where applicants can apply and upload all necessary documents, plus follow the progress of their application. It is run by a not-for-profit organisation in Australia where all information is stored safely within a secure network. Having this online platform will help streamline the application and assessment process, making it a much easier experience for all involved.

The SmartyGrants platform is used by multiple Federal and State government departments, plus major organisations to manage their community grants.

6. I need help with my application. What is the best way to get assistance?

Transgrid will be conducting online workshops each week until 7 December 2024.

Transgrid staff will be in Broken Hill to help with applications each week until 7 December 2024.

Please email your details to cpp@transgrid.com.au and we will add your email address to our updates list. Include your name, organisation name, email and mobile phone. We will email you details of upcoming online workshops and locations where staff will be in Broken Hill in coming weeks to help you.

Information will also be posted on our social media channels and website.

You can also phone our Community Information Line on 1800 222 537 and we will assist.

7. If I am successful, will I receive the full amount that I’ve requested?

Transgrid reserves the right to partially fund your initiative and specify where funds must be directed. If the program is heavily subscribed, we may choose to offer successful applicants less than the full amount requested to support a broad set of community initiatives.

8. Do I need to provide quotes to support my application?

We require some forms of evidence of costs (at least two quotes or other proof of the cost of works) as part of each grant application.

9. My application includes operational costs such as printing. Can a Transgrid grant cover these costs?

No. Operational expenses are not considered eligible for Community Partnerships Program funding. If you believe operational costs form an important part of your initiative, include these costs as part of your application with an explanation of why they should be considered.

Transgrid reserves the right to partially fund your initiative and specify where funds must be directed.

10. My organisation has more than one initiative that needs funding – can we lodge more than one application in a round?

Yes. Eligible organisations can apply for Community Partnerships Program funding for multiple eligible initiatives within the same grant round. Each initiative must be addressed in its own application, and each application will be assessed individually.

11. Can two (or more) separate community organisations apply for funding that would go towards the same initiative? (E.g. Two clubs joining together to raise 20k to install a bathroom in the clubhouse they both share together.)

Yes. Each community organisation will need to submit a separate application and indicate who the partner organisation/s are in the application.

12. Can an initiative receive funding more than once?

No. If an application is successful and receives Community Partnerships Program funding, it will not be eligible for funding in future grant rounds.

13. Our office is located within the impacted areas of Broken Hill & Far West NSW, but the communities we service are not. Are we still eligible to apply?

No. As part of the Community Partnerships Program eligibility criteria, initiatives that receive funding must directly benefit communities located in the impacted areas of Broken Hill & Far West NSW.

14. I have just completed an application – do I need to do anything else at this stage?

You must be contactable and available during the period after the closing date, which is 7 December 2024. As part of the screening process for all applications, a Transgrid representative may contact your organisation by phone or email.

To ensure your application can progress smoothly, please ensure all contact details supplied to Transgrid are correct.

If Transgrid is not able to contact your organisation for more information or answers to questions, your application may not progress through the screening process.

15. When should I expect to hear from Transgrid about whether my application has been approved?

All applicants will be notified via email of the outcome of their application at the conclusion of the assessment period.

Sometimes applications can take longer to process. If you have critical dates for securing funding, please tell us this in your application and we will do our best to assist you, but we cannot provide any assurances or guarantees.

16. If my application is approved, when will my organisation receive its funding?

After receiving notification that their grant application was successful, applicants should receive grant funds within 30 business days of funding acceptance and providing an invoice or payment details (any missing information will delay payment).

17. Does Community Partnerships Program funding have to be spent in a specific timeframe?

Expenditure of funds received through the Broken Hill & Far West Community Partnerships Program must be completed within six (6) months of the date of the grant, unless otherwise agreed in writing with Transgrid.

If grant funding is not expected to be spent in full within the timeframe specified by Transgrid, you may request an extension to the timeframe in writing. If an extension to the timeframe is not granted, you must spend the funds within this time, or you will be asked to refund any amount not used.

18. How does Transgrid handle my personal information?

Transgrid is using a third-party supplier (SmartyGrants) to process grants and sponsorship applications. Please ensure you take the time to read the Privacy Policy available on the SmartyGrants page to understand how your personal information will be managed.

19. Where can I get more information?

Please email cpp@transgrid.com.au or phone 1800 222 537.