FAQs
- How do I apply for funding?
- What are the closing dates for funding requests?
- Does the VFFF accept applications from individuals?
- What sort of organisations can apply to the VFFF?
- How can I obtain ITEC/TCC/DGR endorsement?
- Does the VFFF accept applications from 'auspiced' projects?
- What is the geographical scope of the VFFF's funding?
- How much does the VFFF distribute annually?
- Does the VFFF have an annual report?
- How much should I ask for?
- Can I ask for more than one year's funding?
- May I telephone the VFFF to discuss my project idea?
- May I arrange a time to meet with the VFFF?
- Is GST applicable on VFFF distributions?
- Do you have examples of successful funding recipients?
- Who was Sir Vincent Fairfax and what did he stand for?
- How long will it take before I receive an outcome?
- Can the VFFF refer me to other funders?
- If I am successful, what will be required of me?
- If I am unsuccessful, when will I reapply?
- How do I apply for funding? The VFFF has a two step application process. Please refer to the 'Applications' section of this web site, or download our Guidelines.
- What are the closing dates for funding requests? The VFFF does not publish closing dates for applications. Preliminary Enquiries are accepted at any time throughout the year. If you are invited to proceed to Stage Two of the application process, we will advise you of a submission deadline at that time.
- Does the VFFF accept applications from individuals? No, individuals are not eligible to apply for funding from the VFFF. All applicants must hold Australian Taxation Office endorsement as Income Tax Exempt Charitable Entity (ITEC status), Tax Concession Charity (TCC) and/or Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status where the latter is also charitable.
- What sort of organisations can apply to the VFFF? The VFFF may only accept applications from entities endorsed as income tax exempt charities (ITEC), tax concession charities (TCC) or deductible gift recipients (DGR), where the latter is also charitable.
- How can I obtain ITEC/TCC/DGR endorsement? Contact the Australian Taxation Office (http://www.ato.gov.au/) for further information.
- Does the VFFF accept applications from 'auspiced' projects? No.
- What is the geographical scope of the VFFF's funding? Under its Trust Deed, the VFFF's distributions must be confined to Australia.
- How much does the VFFF distribute annually? Distribution levels vary according to income received. Currently the VFFF distributes approximately $8-9 million per annum.
- Does the VFFFF have an annual report? Currently the VFFF's annual report is limited to internal circulation amongst members of the Company and the Vincent Fairfax family. However, you will find most of the information you are looking for on this web site. If you have any specific queries, that remain unanswered, please contact the Program Officer via lcrook@vfff.org.au
- How much should I ask for? The minimum amount distributed by the VFFF is $10,000. It is the VFFF's policy not to assume the role of sole funder of the project.
- Can I ask for more than one year's funding? It is the VFFF's policy to provide one-off, catalytic funding to eligible projects. While there are a small number of organisations that have received distributions from the VFFF on a regular basis, multi-year funding is rarely considered.
- May I telephone the VFFF to discuss my project idea? Yes. Please contact the Program Officer, Lucy Crook, on (02) 9291 2700. Due to the volume of telephone calls we receive, we would appreciate your patience. If we are unavailable when you call, we will endeavour to return your call within five working days.
- May I arrange a time to meet with the VFFF? Unfortunately the VFFF's resources are limited and cannot accommodate all requests for meetings with applicant organisations. Generally, an organisation will be invited to meet with the VFFF after it has progressed through Stage 1 (Preliminary Enquiry) and invited to submit a stage 2 Submission.
- Is GST applicable on VFFF distributions? No. VFFF funds constitute a distribution of income from a charitable trust (not a 'grant'), and are thus exempt from income tax and GST implications.
- Do you have examples of successful funding recipients? Please refer to the Recent Support section of this web site.
- Who was Sir Vincent Fairfax and what did he stand for? Please refer to the Origins of the VFFF and The Founder's Legacy.
- How long will it take before I receive an outcome? We endeavour to deliver an outcome on all Preliminary Enquiries within 21 working days. Applicants invited to make a Stage 2 Submission will be advised in writing of an outcome within a fortnight of the relevant quarterly Director's Meeting.
- Can the VFFF refer me to other funders? Philanthropy Australia is an excellent source of information on other grantmaking bodies in Australia. Please refer to their web site (www.philanthropy.org.au) for further information and contact details.
- If I am successful, what will be required of me? The VFFF requires that all distributions be acknowledged with a formal receipt and letter from a officeholder within your organization. Monitoring requirements and evaluation mechanisms will vary according to each individual projects, and this will be discussed with you during and after the Stage 2 Submission process.
- If I am unsuccessful, when will I reapply? It is advisable to wait until the following financial year to reapply for funding to the VFFF. It is strongly recommended that before reapplying, applicants telephone the VFFF to discuss the nature of the proposed request.
Submissions are considered at quarterly meetings of VFFF Directors. If your organization requires funding within the next three months, you may wish to telephone the VFFF before submitting a Preliminary Enquiry.
The VFFF's resources are limited and are therefore focused on priority areas of need in NSW, and some national programs consistent with Guidelines. In considering requests for support from States and Territories other than NSW, Directors take account of the alternative funding sources available to applicants and the practicality of monitoring distributions.
Organisations based outside of NSW should contact the VFFF by telephone before submitting an application for funding.
Applicants are the best placed to determine an appropriate amount to be requested from the VFFF. The amount sought should reflect the scale of the project and the capacity of your organization, and should take into account the funding being sought from, or contributed by, other entities.
Once we have reviewed your Preliminary Enquiry, we may initiate a meeting with you, as appropriate.