Selection criteria

Applications must demonstrate how the project will link to Multicultural NSW’s 2021-2025 Strategic Priorities:

• Language Services
  • Ensuring that language is not a barrier to information and that barriers are broken down between speakers of different languages.
  • That small, new and emerging communities have language support.
• Sector Capability
  • Developing programs and services to meet the needs of culturally diverse communities.
  • Building resources that enhance leadership, engagement, communications, service delivery and planning capability for culturally diverse communities.
• Community Resilience
  • Building and maintaining networks across the community that can solve respond to problems and actively support social cohesion.
• Settlement
  • Establishing programs that help new arrivals to thrive in new locations.
• A Shared Sense of Value
  • Building programs with strong intercultural and interfaith networks.

Applications must show how the Project meets a community need.

Eligibility & Exclusions

To be eligible for a Stronger Together Project grant, applicants must:

• be a non-profit sharing organisation
• be located within NSW
• confirm past and current funding sources for the past three years
• have acquitted all prior grants
• show how the project aligns with Multicultural NSW’s strategic plan
• show how the project is meeting a community need
• outline how the Project will measure outcomes
• outline how the Project is cost effective and viable with an accurate budget
• have all appropriate insurances and licences
• submit an application using Multicultural NSW SmartyGrants portal before the closing date
• deliver the project within the delivery timeframe for the grant. This information is in the grant guidelines and application form
• promote the Multicultural NSW and NSW Government funded project on their website and social media platforms
• show co-contributions from applications towards the project. It is unlikely that the project will be funded if there is no co-contribution
• confirm other funding sources that are contributing to the total project budget

What items cannot be funded?

The following activities are excluded from receiving grant funding:

• political activities
• commercial or fundraising activities
• local councils, unless they have partnered with a community organisation
• celebration of national or independence days
• festivals and events
• activities that are dependent on recurrent annual funding
• applications that seek support to fund the core business of the organisation. This includes supplementing, increasing or continuing ongoing service delivery
• projects that duplicate existing services
• capital expenses. Including but not limited to building works (including maintenance) and equipment purchases
• media productions that have not been endorsed by Multicultural NSW prior to publication

Grant funding will not be awarded to any organisation that:

• does not demonstrate a commitment to multicultural principles
• has Redress sanctions as described in the National Redress Scheme
• is subject to a winding up order or has an appointed administrator
• has a pending or ongoing legal case
• is bankrupt
• has no sound financial management and governance

A detailed budget must be provided in the grant application.

In-kind contributions should also be outlined in the grant application.

The budget income and expenditure must balance.

Multicultural NSW strongly encourages co-contributions from applications towards the project. It is unlikely that an application will receive a grant if there is no co-contribution.

Funding restrictions apply for the following items:

• Catering. No more than 10% of the budget can be used for catering
• Administration. No more than 20% of the budget can be used for administrative costs related to the grant funded project delivery. Administration costs include organisation staffing.
• Insurances. No portion of the grant funding can be used towards insurance costs. Including, but not limited to, Public Liability Insurance, Workers Compensation Insurance and Volunteers Insurance
• Capital Expenditure or Purchases. No portion of the grant funding can be used towards capital expenditure or purchase costs. Including, but not limited to, building costs or maintenance and equipment purchase
• Cash Prizes or Gifts. No portion of the grant funding can be used towards cash Prizes or gifts, including gift vouchers
• Independent Audit Fees. No portion of the grant funding can be used towards financial independent audit fees

Application meets eligibility criteria and is not an excluded activity

Applications from ineligible organisations or for excluded activities are not eligible for consideration.

Application form is complete and submitted on time

Incomplete applications will not be progressed for assessment.

Applications that are not submitted online through the Multicultural NSW SmartyGrants portal before the closing will not be progressed for assessment.

Applicants need to register with SmartyGrants to apply. If the organisation has used SmartyGrants to apply for a grant with Multicultural NSW before, they will already be registered.

Attachments are uploaded through the online application form.

Application is appropriate to the Program

Successful applications will clearly and convincingly show:

• how the project will deliver the grant aim
• how the project meets the grant criteria

Application demonstrates capacity to successfully deliver the Project

Successful applications will clearly demonstrate the organisation’s capacity to deliver the Project within the available delivery period and within budget.

Applications should clearly identify resources that will be committed to ensure the Project is a success.

A work plan and risk mitigation strategy should be included with the application.

Application presents good value for money

Successful applications will clearly demonstrate value for money with a well-considered, proportionate, clearly itemised budget.

Grants will be awarded for Projects from a diverse range of community organisations, for a diverse range of activities and approaches, and in diverse localities across New South Wales.

Applications are assessed in comparison to all other applications and in comparison to similar applications in terms of locality, cultural focus, and type of activity or approach.

Multiple applications

Eligible organisations can submit more than one application for different Projects. If successful, organisations will only receive one grant within the same funding round.

Available funding pool

Multicultural NSW always receives more funding requests than the amount of funding available. Successful applications will be of a high standard. The limited funding pool and competitive assessment process also means that sometimes even strong applications will be unsuccessful.

Terms and Conditions will apply to the grant funding agreement. Successful organisations are required to:

• review and understand the funding agreement Terms and Conditions
• acknowledge that an agreement based on those Terms and Conditions will apply to the grant
• If a grant is awarded, they will agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions in acquitting the grant

Acquittal for this grant requires independent audit of the grant financial statements and information. Grant funding cannot be used for the independent audit costs.

1. What is the Stronger Together Project Grants program?
The Stronger Together Project Grants program funds community projects and activities that foster community harmony and celebrate cultural diversity across NSW.

2. Which organisations are eligible to apply for this grants program?
Eligible not-for-profit organisations are invited to apply for grant funding. The eligibility criteria is detailed on page 2 of the Stronger Together Project Grants 2025 Information Guide.

3. What types of projects are funded under this program?
The program funds projects that –

• Make a lasting positive impact on social cohesion
• Meet a community need at the grassroots level, and align with Multicultural NSW’s 2021-2025 Strategic Priorities including:
  – language services
  – sector capability
  – community resilience
  – settlement
  – a shared sense of value.

4. What is the grant amount?
Grants range from $20,000 to a maximum of $50,000.

5. When is the project delivery period?
Projects delivered between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.

6. How can I apply for the grant?

• The link to apply for a grant is here
• Multicultural NSW uses the online platform SmartyGrants for all grant submissions, accessible on the Multicultural NSW website and via this link: https://multicultural.nsw.gov. au/grants
• Through the Multicultural NSW website link, you need to log in using the SmartyGrants link to access the online application form.
• If your organisation previously used SmartyGrants to apply for a grant, then the organisation will already be registered and can use existing usernames and log in details, and do not need to set up a new registration/account
• All required attachments MUST be uploaded through the online application form in SmartyGrants.
• The online application form includes an application checklist to help you check that all the required information has been provided.
• All required fields marked with an * must be completed.
• Multicultural NSW can only accept applications submitted online through the SmartyGrants portal.
• Incomplete and/or non-compliant applications will be considered ineligible and will not be assessed for funding.

7. Are co-contributions required?
Yes, Multicultural NSW strongly encourages co-contributions from applicants.

8. What happens after I have submitted my application?
All applications are checked to ensure the required information has been submitted.

• Eligible applications are assessed by a panel, which include an independent member.
• Once the decision has been reached, all applicants will receive advice in writing detailing the outcome of the applicant.
• For successful applications a funding agreement is provided to the applicant for consideration and signing.
  – If a grant is awarded, your organisation will need to comply with the Terms and Conditions of the funding agreement when delivering the project and to acquit the grant

9. Is my organization allowed to use the grant funds for a different project?
Once an organisation is awarded a grant, they enter into a legally binding contract with Multicultural NSW. If the project cannot proceed as outlined in the SmartyGrants application form and the requirements of the funding agreement, the organisation is legally required to notify Multicultural NSW of any changes before moving forward.

Multicultural NSW must review and approve any changes to the project before an organisation can proceed to use the grant funds for purposes different from the original agreement. If you are considering any change to the project, please provide this information to the grants team at: [email protected].

10. Who can I contact for support?
If you need assistance with submitting your application, please contact Multicultural NSW Grants Team:

• Phone: 02 8255 6779
• Email: [email protected]

If you need assistance with interpreting or translating, contact Multicultural NSW on 1300 651 500 or email [email protected].