The following Terms and Conditions (‘Terms’) apply to all Nature Parks funding programs. The Nature Parks contribution is limited to the amount granted, with all other costs associated with the project to be borne by the recipient.
By submitting your application, you agree that you have read, understood and will be bound by these Terms.
Standard conditions
By accepting funding and/or signing an agreement, an organisation or individual acknowledges and agrees to these Terms and the guidelines relevant to the specific funding program.
Auspice organisations will be responsible for receiving and distributing funds and ensuring projects and acquittals are completed. The auspice organisation must meet the eligibility requirements for the funding and sign the Nature Parks agreement prior to funds being paid.
The organisation or individual receiving the funding must obtain all relevant permits or approvals before they proceed with their project.
1. Giving categories
1.1 Donation
A financial contribution provided to support a charitable cause or address an identified issue in the environment of control of the Nature Parks. Donations can be monetary or in the form of attraction tickets and vouchers.
1.2 Sponsorship
A reciprocal relationship between two parties (organisations and/or individuals), in this case the Nature Parks and an external party, which has been entered into for the mutual benefit of both parties. Sponsorships can be in the form of cash contributions, in-kind support or a combination of both, in return for activities that build brand recognition and promote good corporate citizenship and/or grassroots connections with the local community. The Nature Parks can receive or provide sponsorship.
1.3 Grant
Means a sum of money given to organisations or individuals with the expectation that the money will be used for an agreed and specified purpose. The Nature Parks may seek grants through corporations, state, federal and philanthropic organisations and individuals; or
The Nature Parks can assist eligible organisations and groups with grant funding support to enhance and promote conservation and community initiatives, by meeting identified criteria that align with the Nature Parks strategy and values.
2. Selection criteria
2.1 Donations
To be eligible for funding or support, applications must be received from a community group, or a local resident based within the Bass Coast region. Applications must seek to:
(a) Assist in instances of individual or group hardship and where the assistance will benefit the local community or conservation.
(b) Contribute towards the cost of an individual or group associated with the Bass Coast region attending a major conservation or tourism event at which they will be representing the region.
(c) Assist with the development and implementation of a charitable project, scheme or initiative within the Bass Coast region.
(d) Help and donate to a cause which merits the involvement of the Nature Parks and is able to provide a direct or indirect benefit for the Nature Parks or broader Bass Coast region.
All applications will be considered by a panel, applicants will be notified within 10 (ten) working days of the closing date of the outcome.
2.2 Attraction tickets and vouchers
Tickets and/or vouchers should be used for the purpose of reward, recognition or as a fundraiser for the community group or individual in support of a cause that aligns with the Nature Parks values and strategy.
Tickets are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
The Community team has an annual allocation of 3 Park Passes for the Penguin Parade (General Viewing only), Churchill Island and Koala Conservation Reserve.
Requests for attraction tickets and vouchers can be emailed to community@penguins.org.au and will be considered by the Community Engagement Officer and approved by the Community Impact Manager.
2.3 Grants and Sponsorships
Sponsorship proposals will be assessed against predetermined criteria published in advance or which are circulated to organisations that submit an expression of interest. There should be no conflict between the objectives and/or mission of the sponsored organisation/individual and those of the Nature Parks, as the sponsor.
Sponsorships will be assessed to determine the benefits to the Nature Parks, ensuring the level of support is commensurate with the benefits being offered through the agreement. To protect the interests of both parties, all sponsorship agreements will be executed in writing and for a fixed term.
The Nature Parks will request an acquittal form from the recipient. The Nature Parks will not provide sponsorship beyond its means and reserves the right to withdraw from a sponsorship agreement where the external party is considered to have not complied with the spirit of this procedure and the written sponsorship agreement.
The Nature Parks will not enter into a sponsorship agreement with an organisation (or individual) that:
(a) Operates or has electronic gambling machines on their premises or part of their business activities.
(b) Does not share Nature Parks views on promoting a diverse, tolerant and inclusive community and/or is a political party.
(c) Offers programs/activities that may present a hazard to the community or conservation or do not reflect the Nature Parks views.
(d) Proposes projects to install or upgrade infrastructure located on property owned privately or by a public company.
(e) Is currently involved in a tendering or procurement process with the Nature Parks.
3. Providing grants and sponsorships
In providing a benefit the Nature Parks will consider:
(a) The social, environmental and economic value of the proposal.
(b) The real cost of providing and servicing the benefit against the costs of alternative marketing, including potential negative impacts.
(c) The GST implications of providing in-kind benefit.
(d) The strategic alliance with the organisation concerned, ensuring the initiative supports the Nature Parks values and strategic objectives.
(e) Whether the benefit will enhance public perception and reputation of the Nature Parks.
(f) The capacity to attract new audiences or interest to the Nature Parks or enhance existing relationships.
(g) The scale and scope of the benefit and the potential benefits to the Nature Parks and broader Bass Coast region.
(h) The financial position of the Nature Parks and the ability/effort required to provide the benefit.
(i) Any actual or potential conflict(s) of interest.
(j) Other sponsors, actual or proposed, of the event/project.
Funding must only be used for the purposes outlined by the Nature Parks in the agreement. Any changes can only be made if requested in writing and approved in writing by the Nature Parks in advance.
The Nature Parks reserves the right to withdraw funding and/or terminate the partnership with a recipient if it determines that the project is not progressing satisfactorily; the organisation becomes ineligible; the organisation breaches funding conditions; or compromises the positive reputation of the Nature Parks. If this occurs, the grant recipient will be fully liable for any costs incurred to date and all funds must be returned to the Nature Parks.
4. Receiving grants and sponsorships
In receipting a benefit, the Nature Parks will consider:
(a) The strategic alliance with the proposed sponsor, ensuring the initiative supports the Nature Parks strategy and objectives.
(b) The industry sector or business type that the sponsor represents and whether other sponsors represent the same industry/business type. The Nature Parks may limit the number of sponsors from a particular industry or business type on any given event or program to avoid potential conflicts (perceived or actual) between sponsors and to ensure maximum positive exposure for all sponsor partners.
(c) The capacity to attract new audiences or enhance existing relationships with key local or regional groups.
(d) The actual cost of servicing the sponsorship arrangement compared to the support received (e.g. through implementing naming rights).
(e) The retention and promotion of its goodwill and reputation.
(f) The likely impact on its reputation.
(g) Any actual or potential conflicts of interest.
(h) The potential economic, social and cultural benefits of sponsorship to the Nature Parks.
5. Application
Applicants must read and comply with the program guidelines and address all relevant criteria outlined in the application. In some cases, applicants are required to consult with the appropriate Nature Parks team member before applying.
6. Assessment process
For grants and sponsorship programs, where appropriate, the Nature Parks will establish an assessment panel, who will individually score applications received based on the selection criteria.
Where relevant/appropriate, advice or information given to one applicant will be made available to all other applicants.
Applications will then be ranked accordingly, based on defined scoring protocols, before a report is forwarded to the relevant personnel for either grants, sponsorships or donations regarding the recommended distribution of support.
7. Insurance
Public Liability Insurance is a requirement of all grants and sponsorship programs. Applicants must provide proof of insurance that is appropriate for the proposed activity or event and meets a minimum value of $10,000,000 (ten million) as part of the application process. This insurance must be in the name of the applicant group.
Where a grant applicant group is covered by an auspicing agency’s public liability insurance, this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis against specific criteria to ensure the cover is sufficient.
8. Notification and accountability
Following confirmation of the Nature Parks decision, all organisations will be notified of the outcome of their application.
Successful applicants will be contacted in writing and an Agreement will be prepared by the Nature Parks to outline the responsibilities, obligations and expected outcomes associated with the funding.
For Nature Parks programs valued at $10,000 (GST inclusive) and greater, the Nature Parks reserves the right to request an audited financial statement specific to the funded activity as part of the acquittal process.
9. Acquittal and variations
Upon project or event completion, recipients must complete and submit an acquittal form to the Nature Parks in accordance with the conditions outlined in the associated signed agreement to demonstrate that the funds were expended for the approved purpose.
Where indicated in the agreement, an evaluation or completion may also be required by the Nature Parks. In these instances, a percentage of final payments may be withheld, pending this being submitted.
Recipients who have an outstanding funding acquittal for a grant, and who do not have an approved variation in place, may be ineligible for funding in the future until the outstanding acquittal is completed.
Variations or extensions to legally binding agreements with the Nature Parks shall only be requested in writing. Variations will be considered by the relevant program coordinator, and any agreed variation must be signed off by both parties.
The Nature Parks reserves the right to recover or write off funding, or to take other appropriate actions, in the event of non-compliance with the Terms of the agreement. Failure to comply with requirements may render organisations ineligible for further funding for any of the Nature Parks future funding programs.
The program coordinator’s decision regarding a variation is final and will not be considered in appeal unless new evidence is forthcoming, and good cause can be demonstrated as to why this information was not forthcoming in the initial request for variation. Appeals must be made in writing addressed to the Nature Parks Chief Executive Officer.
If more than 10% of the funding is not spent, the unexpended funds must be returned to the Nature Parks in full, unless stated otherwise in guidelines, letter of offer and/or agreement.
10. Naming rights and branding
Naming rights for a Nature Parks event or activity will require the approval of the Nature Parks. The branding of an event sponsored by the Nature Parks will be commensurate with the level of sponsorship or donation provided by the Nature Parks for that event.
The organisation or individual receiving the funding cannot use the Nature Parks logo in promotional material unless they have received prior written approval from the Nature Parks. Any other funding conditions will be outlined in individual program guidelines, letters of offer and/or funding agreements.