Apply for Community Benefit Funding

Before completing this application form, please ensure you meet the eligibility for funding.

• Proof of not-for-profit organisation (i.e. incorporation, charter, prospectus, auspicing body or other evidence).
• The project will provide benefit or services to communities that surround the Golden Plains Wind Farm.
• The organisation has been in existence for more than 12 months.

If you are not sure whether you meet the eligibility criteria, contact GPWFM to discuss your proposal. To apply for funding please complete the four simple steps on this form and return it to Golden Plains Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

The CRG and GPWFSAC will consider funding locally run initiatives for not- for- profit Community groups, projects/programs or facilities that are located within, or provide a direct benefit to, the community within. 10km of the Golden Plains Wind Farm boundary.

GPWFSAC and the CRG will not support any project which includes a request for funding (or is in essence) featuring any of the following matters, and projects or programs (or an element or any regulatory, licensing or statutory commitment in connection with the Golden Plains Wind Farm).

Matters, programs or projects ineligible for sponsorship funding include but are not limited to:

• Political or Religious organisations, activities or campaigns
• Direct or indirect competitor to the Golden Plains Wind Farm or its investors
• Funding for commercial enterprises
• Core funding that is the responsibility of Federal, State or Local Government
• Projects or research that is in opposition to renewable energy
• Repayment of debts and loans
• Salaries and wages or funding for a staff or member social event
• Administration expenses such as stationery, postage, office supplies
• Rent and lease costs (not including facility hire), ongoing operational expenses
• Purchase of equipment/service for an individual
• Overseas travel / Gifts / Prizes
• Grant writer fees
• Endeavours for personal or commercial gain
• Applications seeking retrospective funding i.e. for costs already incurred before approval of funding is given
• Applications in support of, or to cover the costs of alcohol, drugs, gambling or any illegal or unethical activities.

The Fund has a limited budget. Applications can specify the amount required, and the CRG will assess the cost of the initiative in relation to the outcomes achieved for the community, as part of the funding decision process. Applicants may be offered less funding than specified in their application.

Successful applicants must assume all responsibility for the project, initiative or event they are running. This includes having an adequate safety system in place (if required), necessary approvals, public liability insurance and any other risk management strategies applicable to the organisation or activity.

Applications will be administered twice a year, in Q2 and Q4. Application dates will be provided on the website each year.

All eligible applications meeting the selection criteria will be reviewed and considered by the CRG. The CRG will meet to discuss and determine, through consensus, which application/s it will recommend for funding by the Community Benefit Fund. The final funding decision will be made by the operators of the Golden Plains Wind Farm.

Applications will be assessed by the CRG based on the following criteria. Projects which best meet the criteria will be approved by GPWFM for funding through the Fund. Due to the limited funds available each year, it may not be possible to fund all applications.

All applications lodged will receive an acknowledgement of lodgement. Once the CRG have assessed all applications against the Selection Criteria, notification will be sent via email or post, advising of the outcome of all applications, both successful and unsuccessful. 

All applications are treated as public documents. Should applicants not want details or components of their application made public, this should be stated clearly within the application. 

When an application has been approved, GPWFM will make the necessary payment arrangements. 

Reporting on completed projects is required to ensure the target community and the CRG can be confident that allocated funds have been used effectively. 

Standard templates will be provided to all successful applicants. Applicants must submit final reports using these templates. Funding recipients must permit a representative of the Fund to examine records relating to the expenditure of funds to determine if the grant has been used for its intended purpose. 

In order to recognise the Golden Plains Wind Farm as a source of funding for the community, successful applicants are required to acknowledge the support provided by the wind farm. The specific mechanism for this acknowledgement may be part of a special condition included with the notification of funding. 

Common methods for recognising the wind farm include plaques, signage, acknowledgment in newsletters, speeches and media releases, and displaying the Golden Plains Wind Farm logo in project material. Any costs for signs, plaques, etc must be covered in the project costs. GPWFM must approve in writing, the final wording and layout of the acknowledgement.