Hi and welcome to the secound edition of the FundBase Newsletter.  As you are busy people we have chosen to keep our newsletter succinct and to the point.  If you would like to make suggestions about the newsletter or promote your program or news, please email marketing@fundbase.com.au.

Funding News
In recent announcements the Federal Government will invest $2.25 billion over five years on a new program to restore the health of Australia's environment and build on improved land management practices. 

The program will integrate a number of existing natural resource management measures into a consolidated program. These include the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Landcare Program, the Environmental Stewardship Program, and elements of the Working on Country program.

The new strategic approach and streamlined delivery systems will be progressively introduced during 2008-09.

For more information, stay tuned to FundBase for when the Federal Government finalises this program.

(source: http://www.maff.gov.au/media/releases/2008/024bj.html, 14 march 2008)

Fund Focus
The Genetic Support Network of Victoria (GSNV) invites applications in April from its financial members for small, one-off grants of up to $400 to benefit people affected by genetic conditions in Victoria.

The grants are for one-off projects and past funding has been used to print brochures, hire venues and cater for events or purchase books and resources, amongst other things.

Grant Hound
This week the Grant Hound has dug up the:
Norman Wettenhall Foundation Environmental Grants

The Norman Wettenhall Foundation's objective is to support projects that enhance or maintain the vitality and diversity of the Australian natural living environment.

The Foundation has funded projects ranging from supporting local communities to maintaining or restoring habitat; to the production of education kits; and the publication and widespread dissemination of research information essential to species preservation.

Average grant size ranges from about $1,000 to $10,000 and eligible organisations include not-for-profits, registered charities, local govenments (including aboriginal councils) and private individuals.  Rounds close in March, June September and December.

Funding Tip
Co-contributions of Funds, First Tip
Nearly every funding source prefers projects that have co-contributions from other sources.  It gives them confidence to know that other people trust your organisation and your project as well, so it increases your chances of being funded.  But all our organisations have limited funds.... So what do we do?

This Edition we will have a brief look at In-Kind Contributions and following editions of the FundBase Newsletter will give you other ideas for co-contributions.

The first thing to do is to take a good hard look at your organisation's members and see what skills and resources they may have at their finger tips outside their life on your group.  For instance, your secretary also volunteers on the local radio station one day a week and would be willing to do some promotion about your project (and who funded it) each week for the duration of the project.  This donation has a dollar value that you can calculate, what would it cost you to run an ad every week on the same station?  Or your Chairperson is also the local timber mill manager and he can source off-cuts of timber which can be used as tree stakes in your tree planting project.  How much money does this save you?  These types of things are called In-kind Contributions and are genuine contributions to having your project succeed and should be valued and written into your applications as a contribution.