NSW Small Business Month 2020Guidelines for grant applicants

2 NSW Small Business Month 2020 – Guidelines for grant applicants

3

Contents

Accessibility 4

Introduction 5

Objectives 6

Activities 6

Themes 7

Be COVID-19 Safe 7

Success stories from previous festivals 8

Application process 10

Eligibility 11

Assessment 11

Assessment Criteria 12

Assessment process 13

Eligibility check 13

Assessment Stage 13

Final Approval Stage 13

Notification 13

Funding obligations 14

Acceptance 14

Payment 14

Timing 14

Safety and insurances 14

Promotion 14

Objectives 15

Stakeholders 15

Reporting 15

Budget requirements 15

Reconciliation Requirements 16

Support 17

General conditions 17

Contact 17

FAQs 18

4 NSW Small Business Month 2020 – Guidelines for grant applicants

If you require this information in a format that is accessible to you, or require this information in another language, you can contact the NSW Small Business Month team on the details below between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Telephone: (02) 4908 4886

Email: smallbusiness.month@treasury.nsw.gov.au

Website: businessmonth.nsw.gov.au

The National Relay Service (NRS) is an Australia-wide phone service for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment. You can use the NRS to access the NSW Small Business Month’s contact phone number. The service is available 24 hours a day from anywhere in Australia.

NRS service numbers are:

TTY users: Phone 133 677 then ask for (02) 8289 6520

Speak and listen users: Phone 1300 555 727 then ask for (02) 8289 6520

Internet relay users: Connect to NES then ask for (02) 8289 6520

Accessibility

5

NSW Small Business Month is a festival that brings together all levels of government and industry leaders to support the small business community, delivering events and activities focused on upskilling and connecting NSW small business owners.

The small business sector is one of the main drivers of the state’s economy through business growth, innovation and employment. NSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia. There are more than 785,000 small businesses in NSW and they employ an estimated 1.6 million people, or 41 per cent of the private sector workforce.

This month-long festival of activities is scheduled to kick off this October and is designed to support small businesses across the state. Grant participants are invited to apply for up to $2,000 to deliver an activity between 1 – 31 October that aligns to the assessment criteria and reconciliation requirements outlined in this document. The intention of the grant is to partially or fully cover the cost of the activities for targeted business communities.

These Guidelines set out the funding rules for the NSW Small Business Month 2020 grants for applicants, including eligibility and the process for assessing and allocating funding to grant applications. We recommend reading the full Guidelines before completing your application.

Introduction

6 NSW Small Business Month 2020 – Guidelines for grant applicants

The aims of the NSW Small Business Month 2020 festival are to:• Align with the NSW Government’s strategic

priorities, specifically: driving the economic growth of NSW, creating a strong and inclusive economy and improving business confidence

• Promote small business growth through innovation that improves resilience and boosts productivity

• Support digital readiness and increase industry capabilities, to reach new markets and support regional development.

Your project must be clearly defined as a NSW Small Business Month 2020 Activity (“Activity”). Applicants must provide project Activity details that include, but are not limited to:

• knowledge of the local region/area

• organisational history, including previous relevant project and their outcomes

• beneficiaries and target groups outlined clearly

• description and objectives

• how success will be measured.

Objectives

Activities

Applicants can use the grant funding to benefit their relevant small business industries including, but not limited to, supporting the following types of Activities during NSW Small Business Month:

• exhibitions

• forums

• lectures

• networking

• podcasts

• seminars

• talks

• tradeshows

• videos

• webinars

• workshops

7

Events can be a combination of online and offline activities, so long as they are COVID-19 safe and adhere to the NSW Health physical distancing guidelines: NSW Health physical distancing guidelines.

Be COVID-19 Safe This could include:

• Limiting the number of people in a venue (as of October 2020)

• Attendees at events remaining seated

• Hand sanitizer at all events

• Registration of all attendees

• Preparing and adhering to a COVID-safe plan

Themes

Six themes have been created for this year’s festival. The themes have been designed to encompass what was elected by attendees in 2019, as well as current impacts that have affected many businesses, such as bushfires and the more recent COVID-19 global pandemic. The overall festival theme this year will be Reboot with NSW Small Business Month 2020 with the six sub-themes as follows:

1. Building your brand on social: How to market your business on social media, build your brand, protect your reputation and attract the customers you want

2. Working with digi-tech: Present, promote and grow your business online and learn the latest technologies to best connect with your customers

3. Financial foundations: Explore the grants and support available to you, take control of your bookkeeping, budgeting and taxation, and learn to safeguard your business

4. Research, plan, do: Plan for the future with market research and develop tactics for risk and disaster management

5. Futureproof your business: Understand stressors and disruptors, keep an eye outside your business model and know what to do when the unknown hits

6. Your team and you: Gain insights on how to hire, manage, train and retain the best staff.

Tip: Make sure your activity aligns to one or more of these themes.

8 NSW Small Business Month 2020 – Guidelines for grant applicants

Seminar – Marketing and Social MediaHosted by TAFE NSW, the ‘Using Social Media—Skills for Business’ seminar featured presenters who gave practical tips and advice on how to use social media, including Facebook and Instagram, to effectively grow a small business.

Participants thoroughly enjoyed the seminar and subsequently signed up to the fully funded Skills for Business program.

Success stories from previous festivals

9

Pitch Fest – Starting a businessThe fast-paced and unique ‘Pizza & PitchFest’ event was all about innovation and new ideas. Local businesses in Goulburn pitched their small business ideas to a panel of judges that included the mayor, local business leaders and the Canberra Innovation Network. Prizes included one-on-one mentoring services, a rent-free hot desk at a co-workspace and a collection of support services to help entrepreneurs launch their start up.

Eleven locals entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to over 70 supportive attendees and are now on the way to establishing their business in Goulburn’s CBD with council’s continuing support.

Webinar – Women in businessThe 60-minute Beyond Focal Point webinar ‘Empowering Your Female Leadership Genius’ was presented by leadership performance coach, keynote speaker, author and media commentator Muffy Churches.

The webinar targeted women in business and focused on affirming their natural strengths, traits, and attributes. It also aimed to inspire female business leaders to upgrade their business dreams, validate their beliefs about what can be achieved, and empower them with tips and techniques to help them thrive and drive their business success.

Tip: View more success stories here businessmonth.nsw.gov.au/highlights-from-2019

10 NSW Small Business Month 2020 – Guidelines for grant applicants

The NSW Government is offering grants of up to $2,000 to NSW local councils and chambers of commerce to deliver Activities during NSW Small Business Month that directly benefit and support the small business community.

Recently we have witnessed just how many small businesses have been greatly impacted by the devastating drought, bushfires, floods and the global COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why we’re encouraging local councils and chambers of commerce across the state to help businesses reboot this October by participating in this year’s NSW Small Business Month festival.

By hosting practical information sessions and generating new ideas, local councils, chambers of commerce and local communities can work together to help reboot small businesses in NSW to ensure that they continue to survive and thrive.

What’s the purpose of the grant programThere are more than 785,000 small businesses in NSW and they employ around 1.6 million people which is almost 41 per cent of the State’s private sector workforce.

Making grant funding available to local councils and chambers of commerce within NSW will expand the number of relevant Activities during the NSW Small Business Month festival in October 2020, and directly benefit the small businesses in their local areas.

Who can apply for a grantTo apply for the NSW Small Business Month 2020 grant, you must be either a NSW local council or NSW chambers of commerce and meet the assessment criteria and reconciliation requirements outlined in this document.

How can the grant be usedTake a look at the Success Stories on page eight for some inspiration on how to use the grant during NSW Small Business Month. You need to take the current environment into consideration when planning your Activity and ensure you follow the NSW Health physical distancing guidelines.

How can I applyApplications for grants funding are now open. You will need to submit the relevant application information through SmartyGrants which is a secure online grants system.

When can I apply for fundingApplications will close at 31 August 2020, 5pm AEST or until funding is exhausted (whichever comes first). Applications can be submitted at any time during this period.

How will I know where my application is up toApplicants will be notified of their progression no later than 10 working days after their application has been submitted.

Application process

11

To be eligible for a NSW Small Business Month Grant, applicants must meet the following mandatory criteria:

• be a legal entity that can enter into a funding agreement with NSW Treasury

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)

• be a NSW local council or

• be a NSW chambers of commerce with a minimum of 10 active members1

• have the project activity held within NSW

• have the project activity started and completed during the festival, which will be held from 1 to 31 October 2020

• have the project activity align to at least one of the six festival themes as outlined on page seven

Additional obligations will be set out within the funding agreement that include, but not limited to, safety, insurance, liability and indemnities.

The selection of grant recipients is based on a comparative assessment of applications. Applications will be considered on their merits based on:

• how well the application meets the assessment criteria

• how the application compares to other applications

• whether the application provides value for money.

Eligibility

Assessment

1 An active member is defined as any organisation that has joined a chambers of commerce and holds a current membership.

12 NSW Small Business Month 2020 – Guidelines for grant applicants

Assessment criteria

Applications will be assessed against the assessment criteria below, which are not indicated in order of significance or equal weight. Applicants should respond to all criteria. The assessment criteria are structured to provide the Selection Committee with objective guidance on how to assess project activity/applicant rankings and/or comparative benefits.

The evaluation criteria that do not relate to price may account for 90 per cent of the total evaluation score. The evaluation criteria that relate to the price may account for 10 per cent of the total evaluation score. Information supplied by the applicant in the grant application, as well as information obtained by the selection committee from any other source, will contribute to the assessment against each criterion.

Criteria Weighting Details

Mandatory requirements met

Essential The application meets the requirements as set out in these grant guidelines on page 11 and SmartyGrant online application form

Needs and benefits to the community

40% Your application should demonstrate:

• knowledge of the local area and the strong need for the project activity within the target community

• clear outcomes and rationale for the project activity

• overall benefit to the target community

Stakeholder engagement 35% Your application should demonstrate:

• effective engagement with the small business community in your local government area

• effective engagement with key stakeholders, such as the local councils, other chambers of commerce and community groups

Delivery and proven track record

15% Your application should demonstrate:

• a proven track record in providing similar Activities in the local area with a similar delivery model and appropriateness in relation to the approach

• effective planning and use of resources

• how success will be measured

Budget 10% • value of the project activity (including any matched funding)

Funding cannot be used to cover or pay for:

• staff wages

• alcohol, tobacco or any other controlled substances

13

Assessment process

Once you have finalised and officially submitted your application on the secure online SmartyGrants platform, you will receive an automated response to notify you that your application has been received. All applications will then go through the following process:

Eligibility checkApplications undergo an initial mandatory criteria eligibility check. All applicants will be advised in writing within five working days if they are:

• eligible and will proceed to a competitive assessment process

• ineligible and will not proceed any further.

The selection of grant participants is at the discretion of the NSW Government, whose decision will be final. The NSW Government at its sole discretion reserves the right not to accept any application submitted.

Assessment stageNSW Government staff will assess all applications against the outlined criteria.

Final approval stageAn independent panel within NSW Government will make final recommendations with reference to the assessment criteria.

NotificationAll applicants will be notified of the outcome no later than 10 working days after they submit their application.

14 NSW Small Business Month 2020 – Guidelines for grant applicants

Funding obligations

Successful applicants approved for funding will be required to sign a funding agreement that covers their obligations across the following areas:

AcceptanceReturn a signed contract, and completed invoice, required within 10 working days of receipt of the funding approval or the offer is void and grant funding redistributed back into the program.

PaymentWill be in line with State Government payment process – all attempts will be made to pay successful application no later than 30 days after notification.

TimingUse the grant funding for the delivery of one or more business focused Activities that are held during, and as part of, NSW Small Business Month 2020.

Ensure any funded Activities are commenced and are fully delivered between 1st – 31st October 2020.

Safety and insurancesHold a minimum Public Liability Insurance cover of $10 million in respect of each claim and in the aggregate as to the number of occurrences in the policy period and all relevant insurances for the proposed works and day-to-day operations.

Deliver all funded Activities in line with NSW Health physical distancing guidelines.

PromotionEnsure all funded Activities are promoted via the official NSW Small Business Month 2020 festival website including all relevant details such as location, topic, price etc using the log in details provided by NSW Treasury.

Ensure that all written promotional, advertising and other material, including signage, websites, social media, stationery, business cards and messaging related to the funded project activity meet the festival’s branding and marketing guidelines.

Use standard branding templates and seek approval from NSW Treasury for any additional collateral produced by you or on your behalf in relation to the funded project activity prior to production.

Seek and gain approval from NSW Treasury before releasing any publicity material or making any public announcements concerning the funded project activity.

Acknowledge the support of NSW Government for any NSW Small Business Month 2020 funded Activities in all materials including signage, invitations, social media, media releases and speeches.

15

ObjectivesDesign, deliver and provide Activities that are suited to the demand of their region.

Ensure any funded Activities align to one or more of the Festival Themes outlined in this document.

Create small business-focussed Activities that target small businesses.

Ensure any funded Activities occur within the state of NSW.

StakeholdersEnsure there is no actual or perceived conflict of interest between the organisation and NSW Government.

Ensure that the structure of any funded Activities is to be suitable to the needs of local businesses, including different industry sectors, demographic characteristics and special needs.

Engage with small businesses, small business stakeholders, NSW and Australian Government agencies and other regulatory bodies to help promote and market the funded project activity.

Partner with other relevant local chambers of commerce and/or local councils to assist in the delivery and/or design of all funded Activities.

ReportingThe successful applicant must submit reports in line with the timeframes in the funding agreement. The applicant will also be responsible for:

• meeting the terms and conditions of the funding agreement and managing the project activity efficiently and effectively

• complying with record keeping, reporting and acquittal requirements as set out in the funding agreement

• participating in the online grant evaluation assessment and report back as required.

Budget requirementsEnsure any funds are used directly for the project activity and not for staff wages or other fixed costs.

Ensure the project activity does not promote alcohol consumption.

16 NSW Small Business Month 2020 – Guidelines for grant applicants

Reconciliation requirements

Upon completion of the NSW Small Business Month festival and to reconcile funds provided to the organisation, participants must:

• submit an online Activity Report to NSW Treasury by 16 November 2020

• send all attendees a post-event survey, provided by NSW Treasury, to ensure effective analysis of the funded grant Activity program

• provide an overview of all funded Activities conducted

• capture number of participants, including number of registrations and actual number of participants

• capture data relating to local marketing communications and promotional materials, including brochures, posters, website, newspaper, radio etc.

The NSW Government requires that all successful applicants keep a record of all costs for reconciliation purposes. These records must be kept for a minimum of seven years after the completion date of the Activity funded. Further details will be outlined in the funding agreement.

Failure to comply will mean that you must repay NSW Government within 28 days of a Notice of Demand being received.

Any future funding will only be considered after the outcomes assessment of NSW Small Business Month 2020 has been completed.

Tip: Make sure you fulfil all the reconciliation requirements to prevent funding being returned

17

Support

General conditions

NSW Government staff are available to provide information to anyone considering applying for the grant on the interpretation of these guidelines, including types of Activities and organisations eligible for funding and advice on the online application process. Staff cannot help directly

with your application. To maintain a fair and equitable process, staff are unable to edit or correct any applications.

We also recommend that you sign up to the NSW Small Business Month e-newsletter to stay informed and updated.

Applications will not be accepted from organisations that are primarily or exclusively aligned with religious or political groups, tobacco or illegal substances, alcohol, gambling, or any products or message that may cause offence or bring NSW Small Business Month and/or the NSW Government into disrepute.

Applications do not involve explicit or implicit endorsements of the partner or its products by the NSW Government.

The NSW Government will not be responsible for any costs or associated risks incurred by organisations when hosting their events. The selection of grant participants is at the discretion of the NSW Government, whose decision will be final. The NSW Government at its sole discretion reserves the right not to accept any application.

Contact

If further guidance around the application process is required, or applicants are unable to submit an application, contact the NSW Small Business Month Team on:

Phone: (02) 4908 4886

Email: smallbusiness.month@treasury.nsw.gov.au

Website: businessmonth.nsw.gov.au

18 NSW Small Business Month 2020 – Guidelines for grant applicants

How much is the total grant?You can apply for up to $2,000 in funding.

When can I hold an Activity?Your Activity must be held between 1 – 31 October 2020. Any Activity held outside of these dates will automatically be ineligible for grant funding.

Where can I hold my Activity?Your Activity must be held within the state of New South Wales.

Can I hold more than one Activity?Yes! There is no limit on the number of Activities you can hold during NSW Small Business Month 2020, and we encourage you to host as many as you can.

Can I collaborate with other chambers of commerce or local councils?Yes! While each will be funded individually, we encourage that you have a coordinated response with other stakeholders to have an event bigger and better Activity in October.

What are the festival themes I need to align my Activity to?Your Activity must align to one or more of the festival themes outlined on page seven of this document.

Can my Activity align to more than one of the festival themes?Yes! There is no limit on the number of themes your Activity can align to.

FAQs

19

What happens if I don’t spend all the grant money?All unspent grant monies must be returned.

What happens if I need to cancel my Activity?If your Activity is cancelled, you are responsible in notifying any attendees and to return any unused grant funding.

What happens if I am unable to provide the report of the planned Activity?You may be asked to return part or all grant funding.

Are there any records that I am required to keep – and if so, for how long?We ask that you keep any records of your funded Activity for a minimum of seven years from the completion date.

Can I source a guest speaker for the Activity?Yes! We encourage you to source a guest speaker which can help attract more people to participate in your Activity.

When will I find out if I am eligible for a grant?Once your grant application form has been submitted, you will be notified in writing within 10 business days if you are eligible to proceed to the assessment process.

How quickly will I receive the grant payment?If your application is successful and you have submitted a correctly rendered invoice, payment will be made to the bank details provided on your application form with 30 days.

How do I submit a correctly rendered invoice to receive payment of funds?If your application is approved, you will be provided details on how to correctly render an invoice to NSW Treasury.

Where are the festival brand guidelines?Once you have signed your funding agreement, we will send all relevant information, including tools and templates, to help you get started.

Published by NSW Treasury

treasury.nsw.gov.au

FIRST PUBLISHED JULY 2020.

T20/05104

© State of New South Wales through NSW Treasury 2020.

This publication is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material provided that the wording is reproduced exactly, the source is acknowledged, and the copyright, update address and disclaimer notice are retained.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (July 2020) and may not be accurate, current or complete. The State of New South Wales (including the NSW Treasury), the author and the publisher take no responsibility, and will accept no liability, for the accuracy, currency, reliability or correctness of any information included in the document (including material provided by third parties). Readers should make their own inquiries and rely on their own advice when making decisions related to material contained in this publication.