Multicultural grants

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Multicultural grants program

The multicultural grants program provides funding to migrant and multicultural communities in the Northern Territory (NT).

This can be used for events or projects that promote:

  • social inclusion
  • cohesion
  • multicultural diversity
  • linguistic diversity.

Before applying, you should read the updated multicultural grants program guidelines.

Multicultural grants program guidelines PDF (295.1 KB)
Multicultural grants program guidelines DOCX (673.1 KB)

You can apply if you're a non-profit migrant or multicultural community group that is:

  • incorporated
  • not incorporated but has a written agreement to administer the grant with an incorporated organisation.

Government agencies and private for-profit groups can't apply.

You can apply for funding of events or projects that:

  • encourage migrant and multicultural communities to expand their own and the NT’s social and cultural development
  • help the community’s knowledge and appreciation of different cultures
  • provide links throughout the NT population
  • foster opportunities for multicultural communities to maintain, develop and express their cultural and linguistic diversity
  • help the development of community support and building of capacity within multicultural organisations.

The event or project must be completed within 12 months of receiving the grant.

Funds for wages or salaries will only be provided where significant community benefit can be demonstrated.

What you can't apply for

You can't apply for funding for:

  • any activity:
    • of a political party nature
    • of a commercial or business nature
    • of government agencies
    • specific to fundraising
    • based outside of the NT
    • already started or completed
    • by organisations established for profit or financial gain to members
    • that duplicates existing services available to the community
  • set-up or running costs of a business
  • buying capital equipment including hardware or software
  • items that have already been provided or previously purchased
  • prizes or gifts
  • deficit budgets
  • real estate purchases
  • overseas trips
  • other items the panel assess as not meeting the aims and objectives of the grants.

Two rounds of grants are available each year.

First round applications open in March for activities starting from July.

Second round applications open in September for activities starting from January next year.

Quick response and harmony grants

For unplanned events or changing circumstances, Quick Response Grant applications will be accepted for projects up to $2,000 until funding runs out.

Funding of up to $1,000 may also be available for harmony events under a Quick Response Grant until funding runs out.

Applications must be submitted 4 to 6 weeks before the start date of your event.

You can apply for the grant on the GrantsNT.

If you haven't created a profile, you must set one up before applying.

Your application must be submitted by 5pm on the closing date.

You will receive an email when your application has been received.

You application will be assessed by a panel of government representatives.

The panel will provide recommendations to the minister for consideration and decision.

The application will be assessed on the eligibility requirements listed above, as well as:

  • project innovation
  • identifiable community benefits
  • level of earned income and the level of support from other sources
  • its priority rating compared with other suitable applications
  • budget viability and financial management
  • past performance of the organisation in relation to meeting its aims and objectives.

You will be sent a letter outlining whether your application has been successful.

All decisions are final and there is no appeal process.

A funding agreement will be sent to you outlining the purpose and conditions of the grant you must follow.

You must sign this and send it back to the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Funds will not be provided until your signed funding agreement and tax invoice has been received.

Any outstanding acquittals must be submitted before the grant can be paid.

The proposed project must be completed within 12 months of receiving the grant.

Managing your funds and budget

You must:

  • ensure your budget covers the cost of your project
  • only spend your funds according to the requirements in the funding agreement.

If you underestimate the cost or lose money through expenses, the Office of Multicultural Affairs will not be held responsible.

Your organisation must repay the funds if the:

  • grant has not been used for the approved purpose
  • conditions of funding have not been met.

The delegated officer retains the right to vary, cancel or waive any of the conditions and requirements of a grant.

If you want to change the purpose of your grant

To change what you're spending the grant on, you must write to the Office of Multicultural Affairs for permission.

Your letter must provide reasons for the change and a budget for the amended purpose.

Funds can only be used for a new purpose after the Office of Multicultural Affairs has sent you written approval.

Promoting the NT Government during your event

You must promote that the NT Government (NTG) has provided funding for your event.

This includes all media releases or promotional material.

You should use the NTG logo with the words 'Proudly sponsored by the Northern Territory Government'.

Duty of care and insurance

You must have public liability insurance with a recognised insurance provider that covers the activity of the grant.

If asked to do so, you must send a copy of your public liability insurance policy within 14 days.

Event organisers have a legal and moral obligation to take reasonable steps to avoid risks of injury to people attending the event.

If they don’t take reasonable precautions, they may be liable to pay compensation to a person who is injured while attending.

Examples of the type of care that you must take include:

  • providing a safe environment for children at family-based activities
  • ensuring power cords are taped down so no-one can trip over them
  • protecting electrical equipment from wet weather.

If your event or project hasn't been completed within 12 months

If there are circumstances preventing you from completing your event within 12 months, you can apply for an extension.

You must submit your extension request at least 3 months before the end of the 12-month period.

Public information about the grant

The NTG will release the details of the project and funding to the public. Read the privacy statement.

When your event has finished, you must fill in an Office of Multicultural Affairs acquittal form.

Office of Multicultural Affairs acquittal form PDF (590.7 KB)
Office of Multicultural Affairs acquittal form DOCX (62.7 KB)

You must submit this form to the Office of Multicultural Affairs within 8 weeks of your event or project finishing.

Before new grants can be paid, previous grants must be acquitted.

Unspent funds

If you have funds left over after your event, you must do one of the following:

  • return these to the Office of Multicultural Affairs
  • apply to change the purpose of your grant so you can spend it on something else
  • apply to change the funding period of your grant so you can spend it on the same project at a later date.

Contact

For help or to discuss a late application, contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs by calling 08 8999 3894 or emailing tfhc.multiculturalaffairs@nt.gov.au.

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