Canberra Womens Giving Circle

The CWGC welcomes women from all backgrounds who share a passion for a common purpose.

The Giving Circle operates on a collegiate and democratic basis relying on regular member donations of $20 per week per member to create a funding pool which is to be disbursed in the calendar year.

The CWGC itself does not run or provide any services, nor implement grants.

The CWGC is an apolitical organisation which focuses on practical assistance for members of the community. It does not provide funding for advocacy or lobbying purposes at any level of government.

Benefits in becoming a member

CWGC members believe in the power of collective impact to address climate change by assisting those members of the Canberra community who face difficulty in addressing the effects of climate change due to poverty, discrimination, health challenges, disability and/or age.

By joining you will:

• Support the environment as the giving circle sponsors projects that address climate change
• Change lives by funding projects that help Canberrans and those in nearby regions in need
• Leave a legacy for Canberra –to progressively create a perpetual endowment fund by setting aside a portion of funds – which means you will be giving forever
• Give input and help select projects for grants at annual funding cycles
• Feel confident that funds given to charities undergo due diligence by the host organisation i.e. Hands Across Canberra
• Receive a tax deduction for your generous donation

Social events and voting are held throughout the year which members are invited to attend.

CWGC donations are held in a dedicated sub-fund of Hands Across Canberra until they are donated to grant recipients.

If you are interested in joining the CWGC, please  send an email to Natasha at natasha.cole3@icloud.com and Bobbi at BCampbell@synergygroup.net.au

Hands Across Canberra Ltd will support the CWGC within its systems. 

The support provided to CWGC will be in 3 main aspects being 

1. provide an avenue through the HAC website for donations to be made;
2. access to the HAC’s grants management system that supports applications, selection and disbursement process; and
3. by holding funds donated as a sub-fund within the Hands Across Canberra Trust Fund which has tax deductible status and investing the funds as required. Tax receipts for donated funds are issued on receipt of payment.

 A scaled administration, hosting and investment fee will be charged based on total funds raised. If additional support from HAC staff is required, this will be charged on an agreed hourly basis.

CWGC will manage the grant rounds. Once a grant round has been agreed and advertised, grant applications can be submitted through the Hands Across Canberra’s grant management portal. Application questions will be agreed upon with CWGC.

Hands Across Canberra uses the Foundant platform to manage grant applications. Interested applicants will be encouraged to contact Hands Across Canberra or GWGC representatives before applying to discuss their intended application. 

Community organisations based in the ACT and the four surrounding local government districts: Queanbeyan-Palerang, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys and Yass Valleys will be able to apply for grants.

Applications will be accepted throughout the year and disbursed in a funding cycle to be determined by the members.  The maximum amount granted to a single organisation is $30,000.  Grants cannot be sought for core funding for community organisations due to capacity limits but applications can include administrative costs as a valid component of project costs.  

All members of CWGC are eligible to vote in all funding rounds with one vote per member.  All members may sponsor a proposed project for consideration by members.  If more projects are seeking funding then can be funded in one round, the project can be deferred with the agreement of members to the next round for consideration.

To be considered for funding, eligible applicants should respond to the questions in the grant applications. Grant applications will be evaluated by a group formed from members of the CWGC, based on merit using the following criteria:

• Must be eligible to receive a grant 
• Clarity of request
• Achievable; realistic project budget
• Benefit to the individual/community and environment
• Adheres to the purpose of the fund

Applications that received the majority of votes will be considered successful but subject to the final approval of the Trustees Hands Across Canberra Trust.

Hands Across Canberra has worked with over 300 organisations in Canberra since 2010 conducting numerous grant rounds. Members can be certain their donations are safe and managed transparently and in accordance with ATO and ACNC rules and will be used wisely to fulfill  unmet community needs.

Applicants will be informed of the selection outcomes within 4 weeks of their application unless deemed urgent. 

Applicants may receive a telephone call and/or other type of communication from HAC or a participating giving circle member as part of the proposal review process.

Non-successful applicants will receive feedback on their submissions in order to support future applications.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an acquittal of funds granted.

Each project funded must address climate change and be targeted to those members of the community who face difficulty in addressing the effects of climate change due to poverty, discrimination, health challenges, disability and/or age.  Examples of the type of project likely to be funded include – 

• Provision of electrical bicycles to families who are unable to afford climate safe commuting;
• Expansion of community gardens and micro-climate gardens, particularly in new developments with little or no tree cover.
• Assistance for older Australians to covert to solar panels to reduce energy costs noting the need for managing hotter summers.
• Assistance to local Indigenous Australian organisations to facilitate local land management initiatives in addition to the types of projects above for Indigenous Australians.

Once grant recipients have been selected and approved by the Trustees of the Hands Across Canberra Trust, they will be notified via email with a grant certificate and may be invited to a communications event i.e. awarding ceremony.

Payment: Hands Across Canberra will make payment to the organisations selected on behalf of the CWGC.

Impact Survey: As part of the grant HAC may contact recipient organisations after completion of the funded activities with a short survey. Impact of the grants will be measured at the individual and environmental level.

1. 1. 1. 1. Impact on Individual: To what extent did the grant support the individual/s. 

What tangible differences have been encountered e.g. reduced power bills, etc.

2. Impact on Environment: To what extent did the grant impact on the environment.

Acquitting: Grant recipients will be required to keep copies of receipts as appropriate and acquitting requirements will be determined with the CWGC.