The 2011 Volunteer Grants Round has opened and will close on June 8, 2011. As we have done over the past few years, we will publish guidelines and a template to help Groups. This will be on the website next week.

One very important piece of information that you need to know now - Scouts Australia NSW is able to sponsor only 20 applications. If Scout Groups apply using the Association's ABN, only the first 20 will be assessed. This new guideline makes it very challenging for Groups who apply.

Scouts Australia NSW has been successful over the last few years with this particular grant, and I know that Scout Groups are eager to disseminate the information and submit an application once the funding round has opened. However, with the new guidelines in place, a Group will be much better off if they can have another incorporated Association sponsor them - e.g. Rotary, Lions, check with your local Council for other examples.

I ask that you help me by letting your Groups know that it will be better for them to apply under another organisation that is incorporated. Also, to check the website next week for the template.

Below is an except from the Guidelines for this year's Application with the relevant information.

Organisations sponsoring non-legal entities Organisations may sponsor a maximum of 20 Volunteer Grants 2011 applications. Should a sponsoring body sponsor in excess of 20 applications, only the first 20 applications will be assessed by the Department and this decision will be final. An unincorporated group or organisation that does not have a separate and specific legal existence generally cannot, in the name of the group and independently of the members of that group, own or hold property, sue or be sued or enter into legally binding agreements, such as funding agreements. Accordingly, the Department will not enter into a Funding Agreement with an unincorporated organisation.

If your organisation is not a legal entity, an eligible organisation can apply on your behalf. The sponsoring organisation must be an eligible not-for-profit organisation that has the necessary legal entity status to enter into a funding agreement with the Department and to administer the funding on your behalf. For example, if you are part of a larger organisation, the parent or head office organisation may be able to apply on your behalf. Note: An organisation that is a legal entity is not eligible to be sponsored and must apply in its own right.

Eligible sponsored organisations must be Australian not-for-profit organisations whose volunteers’ work is aimed at supporting families and/or communities in Australia.

Sponsoring organisations must have a direct connection or relationship with the organisation they are sponsoring with full agreement to apply, or the application may not be eligible. Where possible, the sponsoring organisation should be located in the same State or Territory as the sponsored organisation. A sponsoring organisation can also apply for a grant in its own right.