Welcome to the final FundBase newsletter for 2009.

Features:
Local Governments Must Spend!
Green Building Fund
National Award for Self-appointed Women Leaders
Professional Advice and Planning Grants
Small Business Advisory Services (SBAS)
VicHealth Active Club Grants

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MUST SPEND!
The Australian Government is making up to $50 million available in 2008-09 to local government to stimulate additional growth and economic activity across Australia as a part of the Australian Government's contribution to addressing the global economic crisis.

This will be achieved through the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program Strategic Projects (RLCIP Strategic Projects).

Under the RLCIP Strategic Projects funding will be available to local government for a limited number of large strategic projects seeking a minimum Commonwealth contribution of $2 million.

Larger projects and projects which include partnership funding will be given preference.

All local councils, or groups of councils, are eligible to apply for funds under RLCIP - Strategic Projects. Local councils may also apply on behalf of not-for-profit organisations. There is a limit of one application per Council or group of Councils.

Eligible projects must be additional and 'ready-to-proceed' (the project must be ready to commence construction within six months of signing the Funding Agreement), or be additional stages of projects that are currently underway.

A final and complete application form including all supporting documentation must be received by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (the Department) by 4pm (Australian Eastern Daylight Saving TIme) on 23 December 2008.

For access to a further 225 grants across Australia that can be used for Construction / Building / Renovation and may be applied for by Local Governments, search FundBase now.

GREEN BUILDING FUND
Round 1 for the Green Building Fund closes at 5pm local time on 15 January 2009.

The Green Building Fund ($90m over 4 years) aims to reduce the impact of Australia's built environment on green house gas emissions, by reducing the energy consumed in the operation of existing commercial office buildings.

The program will provide grants through two streams of activity.

Stream A: targets owners of existing commercial office buildings. It supports retro-fitting and retro-commissioning of these buildings, to reduce base building energy consumption. Grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 are available, for up to 50% of project costs.

Stream B: targets relevant industry associations. It will provide a limited number of grants to develop the knowledge, skills or capability of those involved in the operation of commercial office buildings, to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. Grants of up to $200,000 are available, for up to 50% of project costs.

To access a further 163 grants suitable for For-Profit entities that can be used for Construction / Building / Renovation across Australia, search FundBase now.

NATIONAL AWARD FOR SELF-APPOINTED WOMEN LEADERS
The Australian virtual Centre for Leadership for Women (CLW) closes its 2009 National Leadership Achievement Award on 22 December 08.

Women who voluntarily created projects for the community, nominate yourself or be nominated for this prestigious Award to win prize money and recognition.

See FundBase Homepage now for more info.

PROFESSIONAL ADVICE AND PLANNING GRANTS
Professional Advice and Planning Grants of up to $5500 (GST inclusive) are available to assist drought affected farm businesses to access professional advice to assist their drought management and recovery processes.

The grants may be used for:

• obtaining advice such as a farm business viability assessment
• the development of a farm business plan incorporating a drought management and recovery plan, or
• to obtain financial and agronomic advice about what changes may need to be made to ensure that the farm business recovers from the drought.

Eligibility Requirements
Farmers in Exceptional Circumstances declared areas can apply on behalf of their farm business. Only one Professional Advice and Planning Grant per farm business will be issued.

FundBase has a further 71 grant programs listed under the Primary Industries category and eligible for for-profit entities, so see what else your business would be eligible for by going to FundBase.

SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES (SBAS)
Applications for the SBAS program opened on 14 November 2008 and will close on 18 December 2008, so prepare your application now.

The SBAS program is a $4 million merit based competitive grant program which maximises the growth potential, prosperity and sustainability of small businesses through enhanced access to information and advice on issues important to sustaining and/or growing small business in response to the current global financial crisis.

Grants of up to $100,000 is available for eligible not-for-profit organisations to deliver high quality small business advisory services to assist small business during the current global financial crisis in the 2009 calendar year.

Small business advisory services must focus on:

• business planning advice
• advice on loans and banking products
• development of simple marketing plans
• assistance accessing legal and accounting services
• leasing guidance
• advice on government regulation
• and mentoring for business.

Not-for-profits looking to offer other Training / Coaching / Learning in a Business and Industry environment will find a further 46 grant programs listed on FundBase. Search now to see how else you can enhance the services you offer to businesses.

VICHEALTH ACTIVE CLUB GRANTS
These grants aim to encourage and increase participation opportunities in physical activity for those who are currently inactive or traditionally encounter barriers to participation by providing equipment or training and improve the safety of sporting and active recreation environments and reduce the likelihood of injury while promoting physical activity.

Grants of up to $2,500 are available to eligible sports clubs/organisations to purchase equipment such as:

• Sports injury prevention equipment
• Essential sporting equipment/items
• Volunteer and club training
• Portable shade

Applications should be completed by 12 December 2008.

To have access to the 87 grant listings that are closing in December, search on FundBase now. Don't miss out on the ideal funding for yourself, your project, group or business!