Welcome to Edition Sixteen of the FundBase Newsletter.
 
Grants for surf life saving clubs to save water
The Minister for Climate Change and Water announced on the 1st of October that the Australian Government will make available grants of up to $10,000 to surf life saving clubs to install water saving and efficiency devices on club premises.
 
Activities eligible for funding include installation of new rainwater tanks connected to club premises so that they can be used for toilet flushing and/or laundry use. Clubs can claim funding for plumbing, guttering, down pipes and other materials provided these are for the new tank.
 
Funding will also be considered for other water efficient or water saving devices such as taps, toilets, urinals and showers. Showers and urinals must have a three star rating under the Water Efficiency Labeling and Standards scheme and toilets and taps must have a four star rating.
 
To search for other grants to supplement an application to this program, search on FundBase now. Upcoming Grant for Rural

Health Projects
The National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program is a competitive grants program that enables eligible organisations and individuals to apply for funding that will assist with the provision of essential health and medical infrastructure, equipment and service planning.
 
The second round of the NRRHIP will open on 8 November and close on 19 December 2008. So start preparing your application now. Your application will have a better chance of success if you have co-contributions of funding from other sources. To search for other applicable sources of funding for your project search FundBase now.

Grant Funding the winner in the Economic Downturn
According to the Australian Newspaper on October 20, Kevin Rudd is to fast-track up to $600 million in spending on small infrastructure projects such as local roads and bridges in a fresh bid to bolster economic activity and counter the global financial crisis.
 
The Prime Minister will bankroll local councils to deliver small projects with short lead times to keep the economy moving and shield communities from job losses and reduced growth that will stem from the crash of global capital and stock markets.
 
The new regional and local community infrastructure fund (replacing the Regional Partnerships program) was to have been created in next year's federal budget. But sources told The Australian it would be announced earlier, possibly at a meeting of the nation's 565 mayors in Canberra on November 18.
 
Stay tuned to FundBase for the latest information on the new programs.

Proof of Concept Fund
The Proof of Concept Fund is a program providing funding to unlock the potential of Queensland research, and increase the level of commercialisation in the State, by providing assistance to applicants to demonstrate the commercial potential of their innovations (technologies, products or processes).
 
For the purposes of this fund, proof of concept is defined as the point at which the potential commercial viability of an innovation can be demonstrated. A successful proof of concept activity would assist innovators to attract commercial allies including industry collaborators and potential collaborators and investors.
 
The fund will be broken into two parts: part one (program-based) will fund organisations that can demonstrate they can manage the delivery of a proof of concept program themselves, and part two (project-based) will fund individual proof of concept projects on a project-by-project basis.
 
Funding is to be matched by a cash contribution of 1:1 with a total Queensland Government contribution of $20,000 to $50,000 per project for eligible expenditures over twelve months and is by way of reimbursement for up to 50% of the cost of eligible activities.

Washdown Facility Funding
Queensland Murray Darling Committee will contribute 30% of the cost of a washdown facility to help limit the spread of weeds on properties, ie. up to $3000. Members of sub-catchment planning groups from the Maranoa-Balonne or Border Rivers catchments will be given priority. Eligible activities include cement slab, gurney, small equipment shelter shed, vacuum and air compressor. Applications close 21st November.
 
Queenslanders can now access more than 200 grants plus the multitude of Australia-wide programs you may be eligible for. To find funding for your project search on FundBase now.