Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Innovation Grant

About this Grant

For 99 years, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation has been supporting new ideas and approaches that address the key issues and challenges facing the communities of Greater Melbourne.  Social innovation is defined as “a novel proposal or solution to a social problem that is more effective, efficient, sustainable, or just than present solutions and for which the value created accrues primarily to society as a whole rather than private individuals.” (Centre for Social Innovation, Graduate School of Business, Stanford University).

Innovation can include incremental testing of new processes, products and services, which can result in a small, modest or ultimately transformational change. Whether it is piloting or scaling a new program, service delivery model, social enterprise or developing forward looking policy & research for systems change, Innovation Grants are designed to test, develop and demonstrate new solutions, big or small.

1. Grant types

THERE ARE TWO GRANT TYPES SUPPORTED BY THE 2022/23 INNOVATION GRANT ROUND.

• Seed Innovation Grant (up to $50,000)
• Scalling-up Innovation Grant (Up to $300,000 for two years, maximum of $150,000 per year)

Seed Innovation Grant

These grants support the researching, testing or piloting of a new idea or approach. This includes funding to:
• Test a new concept or idea that will lead to a service improvement or an advance in a major community issue
• Research and build understanding of an area or issue
• Inform program design or policy development, philanthropic investment or identify best practice
• Funding to support the initial development phase of a social enterprise

Note Seed Innovation grants that demonstrate high impact may be considered for Scaling-Up Innovation grants in future years.

Scalling-up Innovation Grant

These grants support the expansion or replication of a proven innovation with the potential to be transformative on a broader community or systems level. This work can include:
• Piloting or scaling up a new service model or developing social enterprise
• Applying a new approach to improving service effectiveness and/or service quality
• Increasing impact and/or service effectiveness through sharing space or back office support, or other forms of partnership, merger or collaboration
• Building an understanding of an emerging issue or area through applied research (ie research that has application in practice)

2. Eligibility

Eligible organisations applying under the Healthy & Climate Resilient Communities and Homelessness & Affordable Housing Impact Areas are:
• Organisations that are endorsed as a Tax Concession Charity (TCC) and as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) as covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997
• Australian charities registered and operating in Victoria, particularly Greater Melbourne

Eligible organisations applying under the Inclusive, Sustainable Economy & Jobs Impact Area:
• Must be endorsed as a Tax Concession Charity (TCC)
• Australian charities, particularly those operating in Victoria, NSW and ACT

3. Assessment Criteria

The following criteria will apply:
• The project alignment with the Foundation’s Granting Principles
• The project alignment with one or more of the Foundation’s Impact Area Outcomes
• Well thought through project design, outcomes and targets
• The likelihood that the project will succeed when considering the risks and explanation of how risks will be managed.
• Demonstrated capacity and skills of the project team to undertake the project
• Budget is fully justified and represents value for money, and any leverage of other funding or in-kind support is explained
• The extent to which the proposed innovative solutions support community resilience in response to the current COVID-19 environment as well as climate change; and/or
• Due to the economic impact of COVID-19, the extent to which the innovative solutions test, scale or include employment opportunities, especially for vulnerable
groups, young people and/or women

Timeline

ENQUIRIES OPEN	5 September − 23 September 2022
FULL APPLICATIONS INVITED	12 September − 29 September 202
OUTCOME NOTIFICATIONS	Mid December 2022

Impact Areas

Homelessness & Affordable Housing	Inclusive, Sustainable Economy & Jobs	Healthy & Climate Resilient Communitie
Supporting people into well located, sustainable, good quality, safe and affordable housing in a sustainable city	Creating quality jobs in clean industries and ensuring a liveable income for people facing disadvantage in a sustainable economy	Communities actively shape equitable health, transitions, and resilience to climate change and disasters, including pandemics
OUTCOMES • Homelessness or entrenchment of homelessness is prevented • The supply of affordable, sustainable and healthy housing is increased. • Increased energy efficient and climate resilient homes for vulnerable low income household	OUTCOMES • Relevant skills and capability, including social entrepreneurship, are increased. • Quality jobs in clean, digital and caring industries are created for job seekers. • Enable our transition to an inclusive and sustainable economy that serves people and planet.	OUTCOMES • Communities shape regenerative and just climate change resilience • Greater Melbourne’s food systems are equitable, healthy, sustainable, and resilient. • The health and community sectors can support community resilience to climate change and disasters, including pandemics and other shocks

How to apply

Before submitting an Innovation Grant enquiry, please ensure that you have read the  Innovation Grant Guidelines.

Eligible organisations working in any of the Foundation's three Impact Areas can submit an enquiry for an Innovation Grant from 5 - 23 September 2022. 

Enquiries must be submitted via the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation Grant Enquiry Form to be considered. 

After submitting your enquiry, please wait to be contacted by the relevant Program Manager. Given the anticipated high volume of enquiries, Program Managers will endeavour to make contact within five business days.