Community benefit fund: major community grants

If you want to apply for a major community grant in the Northern Territory (NT) you must be either:

• an NT based non-profit community organisation
• an NT regional council.

You must be incorporated under one of the following:

• the Associations Act (NT)
• the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth)
• the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Commonwealth)
• any other Act of Parliament.

Organisations must be not-for-profit and have a physical presence in the NT.

If you are not incorporated and can't arrange a sponsor, you can ask for an exemption when you apply.

You or your sponsor must be compliant with all reporting requirements relevant to the Act under which you are incorporated.

If you are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC), you must be compliant with their reporting requirements.

Who can't apply

You can't apply or be sponsored to apply for a major community grant if you are:

• an individual
• an organisation licensed to operate electronic gaming machines
• a body corporate or similar
• a government or semi-government organisation like a hospital, library or municipal council - regional councils are eligible to apply
• a public or private school - including primary, secondary and tertiary institutions
• a school affiliate or auxiliary body like a school council
• a research foundation or trust
• you have an outstanding acquittal from a previous CBF grant
• you have an active major community grant from the CBF
• an association that is not compliant with your reporting obligations under the Act under which you are incorporated, or to ACNC if applicable.

All applications that meet the eligibility criteria will be considered.

If your application meets the priorities below, it will be given preference when being considered.

The priorities are:

Priority 1

Applications for infrastructure improvements or asset purchases that can demonstrate an ongoing community benefit beyond the period of funding.

Priority 2

Applications that support the growth of the NT and:

• provide multi-level stimulus through the outcome of the grant
• also use local suppliers and contractors in the process of completing the grant.

You can only submit one application per funding round.

You cannot submit a new application if you have an active major community grant from the CBF already.

You can't apply for major community grant funding for any of the following:

• operational or core business activities
• commercial ventures, developments or outputs
• experimental or pilot programs, unless future funding is guaranteed
• funding to cover debts - this includes reimbursement for completed projects and loan repayments
• funding for projects that have already commenced or will commence prior to the notification date.

You also cannot apply for recurrent expense funding. This includes regular salaries and wages, administration expenses and short-life equipment.

Salaries for one-off events and projects are permitted for non-core business activities.

The following projects won't be funded:

• transient or temporary projects that do not contribute to community improvement
• projects that are not consistent with CBF objectives
• projects that may be considered inappropriate or offensive
• fundraising activities
• political or religious activities
• projects that may negatively impact business or compete with local commercial activities
• projects that are the responsibility of another government funding program, unless the other program does not have capacity to provide the funds
• capital improvements to infrastructure where the infrastructure is owned by the Northern Territory Government.

Projects that start before your grant is approved will not be funded.

Do not purchase goods, services or equipment included in your application until you have received formal funding approval.

Multiple applications are not permitted for major community grants.

You can only submit one major community grant application per round.

The CBF committee will consider previously awarded grants in its assessment

They will also consider the spread and benefit of the grants throughout the community.

Any organisation with overdue acquittals will not be eligible for further grants until the acquittals are completed.