As part of the Be Connected program, there are a range of grants available to community organisations in the Be Connected network to support older people in their communities to embrace digital.
There are three different kinds of grants available to Be Connected partners:
Activation grants
Activation grants are one-off grants awarded to new organisations joining the Be Connected network. All partners who join the network before August 2019 will be able to apply for a one-off $2,000 grant.
The activation grant is designed to get you started in the Be Connected network, and for the funding, we expect partners to register at least 30 older people over 10 months (15 if located in outer regional, remote or very remote areas). You'll need to register learners through the Be Connected website, and further guidance on how to do this is provided to all network partners.
Funding can be spent on anything that will help you support older Australians to gain digital skills, including new devices, broadband fees, or expenses for digital mentors or volunteers.
Activation grants are available until August 2019, with applications assessed and funding awarded on a monthly basis.
Building Digital Skills grants
Good Things Foundation is inviting all partners who have registered 24 people onto the Be Connected website (12 people if you’re in an outer regional, remote or very remote area), with or without having received an activation grant to apply for a Building Digital Skills grant from 1 May 2018.
There are six different contract sizes to apply for, depending on how many people you're able to support. Contracts range from $2,500 to $15,000. Organisations with multiple branches or locations can apply for a block of grants.
Funding will be awarded in four phases throughout the year, and you can find more details of application dates below.
Capacity Building grants
Capacity Building grants will be allocated to large-scale community organisations who have strong existing networks. Capacity Builders will act as ambassadors for Good Things Foundation, provide support and mentoring to organisations in the Be Connected Network, and develop innovative approaches to delivering digital literacy programs to over 50's in their community. Grants of $50,000 are available.