Indigo Seniors Festival Grant 2024

Indigo Seniors Festival Grants Program
The Indigo Seniors Festival is a celebration of Indigo Shire Council’s residents aged over 55 and recognises the valuable contribution they make to our community. This community driven festival is run in conjunction with the Victorian Seniors Festival and will begin on 01 October 2024, with a month of free and low-cost activities across the Indigo Shire.
Indigo Shire Council received funding received from Victorian Seniors Festival, State Government Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), to support local community led initiatives to be held during October 2024. Small grants between $100-500 are available to assist groups and organisations with nominal expenses to run an event or activity for the Indigo Seniors Festival 2024.

Guiding Principles
Indigo Shire Council is committed to working in partnership with local clubs, community groups, committees and service providers to deliver place-based projects that consider:

• Access and inclusion;
• Child safety;
• Gender equity;
• Cultural awareness

This practice ensures the broad engagement, participation, enjoyment, and safety of community members in the program. It is also in line with the principles of the Victorian Seniors Festival who are committed to celebrating the experience and knowledge all older people bring to the Victorian community and reach a broader and greater number of seniors.
To provide a more inclusive, accessible and safe Festival for everyone, the DFFH is looking to increase events and participation in Festival activity for the following key priority groups:

• First Nations elders   
• LGBTI+ seniors
  
• seniors with disability
  
• seniors from multicultural and/or multi-faith backgrounds 
• veterans 
• vulnerable men.

More information: Intersectionality Guide for Seniors Festival

Program Objectives

• Recognise and celebrate community members aged 55 and over living within the Indigo Shire.
• Promote community participation, active living, social inclusion, and community connections.
• Support community groups to provide events and activities for community members aged 55 and over by providing funding is to assist with nominal expenses.
• Respond to actions in the Indigo Shire Council Plan and Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan.

Who Can Apply?
Any community organisation, group or club operating in Indigo Shire who intend to hold an activity catering primarily to the benefit of older people from 01 - 31 October 2024. Only one funding request will be eligible per organisation, group or club.

What eligibility criteria do clubs, groups or organisations need to meet?

• Be not-for-profit.
• Be non-government and non-political.
• Conduct activity within the Indigo Shire.
• Have public liability insurance.

What eligibility criteria do activities or events need to meet?

• Be primarily for people 55 years of age and over and inclusive of all ages and abilities.
• Be open to the public to attend.
• Not constitute a regular activity for your group.
• Be free or low-cost.
• Address at least one of the points made above under Program Objectives.
• Be held within the Indigo Shire Council municipality.

What type of activities or events will be considered?
The Indigo Shire Seniors Festival will include events and activities that showcase positive and active ageing. Such as social; sporting; education; cultural; multicultural; and intergenerational events. Your funding request supports the delivery of an event or activity. Minor equipment purchases that supports the event or activity are eligible.

Some ideas for events and activities include:

• morning teas
• exhibitions
• fitness sessions
• information sessions or talks
• literary events and activities
• nature walks

Events or activities that won’t be funded:

• Activities conducted outside of festival dates (01-31 October 2024).
• Applications from commercial or private organisations.
• Applications from educational institutions.
• Activities that are only available to existing club members.
• Activities that are part of an organisations’ core business or normal operating expenses.

How much can we apply for?
Applications for between $100-500 to support running an event or activity that meets the selection criteria will be considered. Please note, a limited number of small grants are available, and you may not necessarily receive the full amount for which you have applied. 

Assessments of Grants
The applications will be reviewed for eligibility by the Access and Inclusion Officer. Eligible applications will be assessed on the Criteria by a panel of three people.

Activity or Event Holder Agreement
Details of the Activity or Event Holder Agreement are contained in this application. Signing the Activity or Event Holder Agreement is part of the application process however does not ensure your application will be fully funded.

Successful Applicants
Indigo Shire Council will endeavour to accommodate as many events as possible, but due to community spread of events, type of events and other factors for consideration, it may not possible to guarantee inclusion of all funding applications. Successful applicants will be notified by Wednesday 21 August. Please note that decisions will be final.

Payment
Indigo Shire Council will transfer grant funding electronically into a nominated Australian Bank Account. After notification, successful applicants will receive payment within 1-4 weeks, and remittance advice will be emailed to you.

Acquittal
Successful applicants will be required to submit by email a brief summary of the event and attendance numbers by Friday 08 November 2024.

Important Application Dates

Other Important Information
Activity or Event Holders are encouraged to register their activities or events for inclusion in the Indigo Seniors Festival Guide. This is a separate process to this grant application. The registration form can be found here Activity or Event Registration Form 2024 and further details can be found on our website.

Contact Us
For more information regarding the Indigo Seniors Festival Grants Program, including discussing your project idea, requesting help with your online application or how to consider and incorporate the guiding principles please contact Indigo Shire Council Access and Inclusion Officer via the details below:

Kellie Sutherland
Access and Inclusion Officer
Email: kellie.sutherland@indigoshire.vic.gov.au
Phone: 03 5728 8000