Frequently asked questions.
Things to know.
If we’re going to embark on a journey to create meaningful change together, you may have some questions.
We suggest you begin here. Then, if you believe our organisations are aligned, please introduce yourself by submitting a grant enquiry.
Working together, new hopes spring.
Let’s begin.
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Our granting philosophy reflects a preference for the following:
1. Organisations that recognise the value of rigour, alongside well-informed local knowledge and instinct. We recognize that in many situations, evidence about ‘what works’ may be limited. But nonetheless we want to work with organisations that have the rigour to engage with the evidence that does exist, and seek to apply that to their own situations; and who can explain the connections between their work and systemic change.
2. Situations where there is potential to change. We want to support where there is hope not simply maintenance.
3. While we will contribute funding that alleviates distress, our preference is to contribute to positive system changes that improve conditions across the board.
4. While Coolaroo Foundation has grant-making capability, we are more than money – we also have capacity to bring to the table expertise, knowledge, influence, and voice for the benefit of grantee organisations.
5. We prefer working on issues where we have a proximity or access to information or communities - that gives increased competence to make decisions and to see change over time.
6. We look to work with people we trust and with whom we share values.
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Our pillars of care are structured around supporting initiatives of Care for People, and Care for Places:
Care for People
Women's and children’s safety.
Education, particularly for disadvantaged parts of the community.
Good food for nutrition, vitality & health
Arts, culture and imagination.
Care for Places
Restoring country.
Sustainable agriculture.
Protecting biodiversity.
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We are based, and focus our work in the Shoalhaven region of New South Wales, Australia.
However, we also support selected causes in regional and rural Australia, as well as internationally.
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A great challenge for any and all philanthropic organisations is that there are of course always many more vitally important causes needing support than there are ever funds available for deployment.
To ensure all funds are investment with maximum community benefit, the Coolaroo Foundation is therefore structured, conscientious and rigorous in its funding decisioning, focusing on well developed and viable initiatives centred strongly upon one of the existing defined support pillars.
We prefer a long term and strategic approach to project support, where we seek to partner with groups with which we are strongly aligned both in terms of shared vision and values.
Upon receipt of your grant enquiry, an initial review will be conducted.
If we think there is partnership potential between our organisations, we will contact you and your application will ultimately be reviewed by our Board.
Successful applicants can anticipate a collaborative and interactive journey toward a shared goal.
The Coolaroo Foundation is committed to adding value to every project it supports, extending its impact far beyond financial assistance.
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In line with our strategic funding approach, at present the Coolaroo Foundation is not actively requesting grant applications.
We do, however, welcome introductions from organisations that feel they align with the care pillars and goals.We therefore welcome you to tell us about your organisation via the form on our grant enquiries page.
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We give preference to grantees that reflect the following criteria:
- Alignment with one or more of our pillars of care,
- Our capacity to add value as partners (“more than money”)
- Potential for impact at the systems level. Key indicators here will include:
- A clearly articulated theory of change that describes the elements of the system, the problem itself, and potential points of intervention and leverage based on sound evidence.
-Capacity to implement: Key considerations will include quality of leadership and team, resourcing, participation of affected communities, collaborations and community building.
- Under-resourced communities or issues: We look for projects that benefit the most vulnerable and are overlooked by current funding mechanisms or market responses.
- Leverage: Ideally, our investment will attract or unlock co-funding or additional capital.
- Scalable solutions and strategies.
- Cost-benefit analysis. The cost is balanced or justified by the size of the problem and the expected return.
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In addition to demonstrating a clear fit within our strategic Care Pillars, grantee recipients must be:
Eligible DGRs as defined in our Deed (ie. DGR1)
Holders of an ABN.
Note that Coolaroo Foundation will check ACNC registration and ATO DGR Eligibility Notice as part of the review process.
Compliance Notice
As a Private Ancillary Fund, Coolaroo Foundation is regulated by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) and the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
In addition to the limitations that our grants can only be made to Item 1 DGRs, we have an obligation to annually distribute an amount not less than 5% of the market value of our fund's net assets (as at the end of the previous financial year).
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“Education is the most powerful weapon with which to change the world.”
IMAGE | PAGE HEADER | Meeting out on station, Pilbara WA