It’s been a challenging start to 2020 on the grants front. Firstly we had the bushfires, which has seen many donors and some funding bodies redirecting funding to the bushfires and recovery process. Not-for-Profits around Australia are already seeing a reduction in donations. It’s a stressful time.
Now we are facing the Coronavirus, with its impacts and associated precautions changing rapidly. It’s early days and a negative impact on grant programs specifically has not yet been seen. On a positive note, the Federal Government has today announced an Economic Stimulus package which will result in many Australian households and businesses receiving grants and wage subsidies. We will post more information about this as soon as application processes become clear.
I feel that one of the biggest risks for Not-for-Profits and grant recipients at the moment is the further downturn in donations, and also changes that may/will need to be negotiated in funding agreements for:
Events that need to be cancelled
Capital works programs that need delaying
Community programs that don’t have staff/volunteers available to run them
Lower participant and beneficiary numbers than predicted in funding applications and funding agreements
Delays on project milestones and project completion dates.
If you are a funding recipient, I advise you to:
Review your funding agreements, particularly milestone delivery dates, and decide how current advice around public gatherings and employees/volunteers potentially staying at home will impact on your project delivery.
Review your predicted participant numbers, and determine whether there will be a reduction
Consider if your project impact will/may change
Contact your funding provider/s early to let them know about your situation and begin negotiations around possible changes.
As such, wherever possible and appropriate, I urge funding bodies to:
Not make changes to your existing funding programs. Please don’t redirect your usual allocated funding to bushfire funding. Ongoing needs across Australia have not changed, and the thousands of NFPs across the country still need your support - perhaps now more than ever.
Be informed about bushfire funding already available. We have a comprehensive list of bushfire funding available across Australia. Check this list, then consider allocating additional funding to bushfires if you want to respond financially.
Be understanding of grant recipients who may need to make changes to their funding agreements because of the Coronavirus. Keep yourself informed, and understand that funded events in particular may need to be cancelled or postponed.
Not punish funding recipients by withdrawing funding, without first working in collaboration to try and find a solution. In the case of events, some of your funding will most likely have already been spent on pre-booking fees, venue hire etc. Your funding recipients will likely be stressed, and would probably love any support you can offer in helping find solutions.
As we have done with the Bushfires, we will continue to monitor potential Coronavirus (COVID-19) funding impacts at The Grants Hub. Keep a close eye on our Blog and social pages for further information as it becomes available.
Jessie Ballantyne
Founder & CEO
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