Question 1

How do I learn more?

Accepted Answer

Come to our Information Session on 14 April 2025. We’ll be talking about our community investment program, where funds come from, how to apply and we’ll run a forum for questions. If time permits, we can workshop ideas from participants.

When: Monday 14 April 2025
Time: 7pm
Where: Buninyong Community House (Emery Room)

This session will be recorded and you can re-watch it here afterwards.

Question 2

What are the key dates of the program?

Accepted Answer

The program will be guided by the following dates.

• Monday 14 April – Community Group Information Session
• Monday 14 April – Online Applications Open
• Sunday 8 June – Online Applications Close
• Tuesday 1 July – Finalists Notified
• Monday 4 August – SparkTank Community Event (with live pitches)

Funded projects will be delivered throughout 2025/2026 with a completion date of August 2026.

Question 3

What groups are eligible to apply for SparkTank?

Accepted Answer

Don’t get hung up on the formal status of your group.

Your group should simply be a community organisation doing good things in our local community (greater Ballarat region) and with a great project proposal.  Your project does need to be in the region however.

You may be a for-purpose, NFP or community group registered as an incorporated association. You may have an ABN, but not compulsory. Alternatively, you may seek a registered group to auspice your project.

Question 4

What is the key criteria that will be assessed?

Accepted Answer

In your application, we ask you to address the following key criteria. This is the basis for how applications will be assessed both by our organisation and our SparkTank panel.

For further information, you can contact Kelly Bevan partnerships@bdfsl.au (partnerships@bdfsl.au)
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/097feb_b7c8f4fd59db42de8108bb2aaf039eff~mv2.png

Question 5

What date do I need to submit my application by?

Accepted Answer

Applications open Monday 14 April 2025 and close Sunday 8 June 2025.

Question 6

How much funding will be distributed as part of the SparkTank 2025 Program?

Accepted Answer

SparkTank will see up to a maximum of $50,000 of Community Investment funding distributed by Community Bank Buninyong (Buninyong & District Financial Services Ltd).

The total distribution of Community Investment funding will depend on the amounts requested by successful applicants, the quality of applications and the community need for specific projects.

It’s our intention to distribute the full amount of Community Investment funding subject to quality applications. BDFSL reserves the right not to distribute funding if applications do not meet the selection criteria.

Question 7

How much will we receive of our request?

Accepted Answer

It’s possible to receive up to 100% of your grant application, however all applications will be assessed based on the impact they deliver and measured against the selection criteria.

Other factors will also determine how much funding you are eligible to receive, such as the quality of applications, the value of the proposition and your ability to deliver a meaningful community project.

The Assessment Team will review your application with a formal measurement tool to ensure equity and robustness.

The key criteria the Assessment Team will be measuring against includes:

• Impact (40%) – how impactful the project is?
• Merit (30%) – does the project have merit?
• Innovation (20%) – how innovative is the project?
• Legacy (10%) – is there a legacy creation?

The questions in the online application form will lend to addressing the
criteria above if answered correctly and completely.

The Assessment Team will recommend the final organisations to pitch at the SparkTank event on 4 August 2025.

Question 8

When will I hear if our project has been successful?

Accepted Answer

Applications open 14 April and close 8 June 2025.

Our Assessment Team will review applications and will announce ten final (approx.) selected applicants to pitch live at the SparkTank event on 4 August 2025. The pitching groups will be announced 1 July 2025.

All presenting organisations will receive some support, however the final amount will be announced at the SparkTank event on 4 August.

Successful groups will be issued a standard Community Investment Agreement for completion. On completion of the Community Investment Agreement, funds will be paid to your eligible organisation on presentation of a Tax Invoice.

Question 9

When does the project need to be complete?

Accepted Answer

You’ll have 12 months to deliver your project as proposed in your application. Any unused funds or funds used for purposes other than the project will need to be returned to BDFSL within 60 days after the project end date. Successful applicants will be required to sign a formal Community Investment Agreement with BDFSL.

Question 10

Can we use the funds for something else?

Accepted Answer

No. Funds will be disbursed to successful applicants for a specific project as detailed in the application. If the goalposts change, you’ll need to speak to us.

Question 11

If I apply, will my organisation be guaranteed funds?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, no. Your application will be assessed just the same as all applications for Community Investment funding we do throughout the year. Only the final applicants that are asked to pitch at the SparkTank event on 4 August 2025 will receive project funding, with the final amount to be determined on the night.

Question 12

Is the SparkTank event being photographed?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this is important to note. Our SparkTank event is being photographed and filmed for Community Bank Buninyong. By appearing in images or footage you indicate consent. Please advise if you don’t wish to participate.
By attending an event or program of ours (Community Bank Buninyong/ Buninyong & District Financial Services Ltd) you are entering an area where photography, audio and video recording may take place. By attending you understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent. If you do not agree, please do not enter the event premises or notify our photographer or videographer in person.

Question 13

Your Questions Answered