Seniors Month 2023 Grants

No, the states and territories celebrate Seniors Months and Weeks at different times of the year and for various lengths of time. Making Queensland Seniors Month, unique to Queenslanders.

Did you know the first Queensland Seniors Month, or Old People’s Week as it was known when it was first launched, was held in October 1960.

Queensland Seniors Month’s will be held 1- 31 October 2022.  Beginning on the United Nations International Day of Older Persons and including the celebration of National Grandparents Day on Sunday 30 October 2022.

Connecting with one and other has never been more important. That is why we are continuing to celebrate  Seniors Month, 1- 31 October 2023, with the theme of  Social Connections.

During the month people of all ages, cultures, and abilities will connect through inclusive events and activities, celebrating the important and essential roles older people play in our communities. In short, it’s going to be a connect fest!

The five objectives of Queensland Seniors Month 2023 are:

1. Change traditional perceptions on ageing. Advancements in medicine and technology have enabled seniors to live longer with the opportunity to contribute to their communities.
2. Connect older Queenslanders to inclusive events and activities by producing culturally inclusive, intergenerational or lifestyle events/activities for Queenslanders in their communities.
3. Create opportunities for older Queenslanders to continue to participate in activities beyond Queensland Seniors Month.
4. Encourage older Queenslanders to live active and healthy lives with improved physical and mental wellbeing.
5. Enhance opportunities for older Queenslanders to continue to learn through community education, lifelong learning, and digital literacy.

Successful grant applicant events and activities should be inclusive of all, and accessible to the diversity of older people including:

• Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander peoples
• South Sea Islander peoples
• Culturally and Linguistically Divers (CALD) peoples
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex (LGBTI) peoples
• People with disability

Older Queenslanders are diverse and have a range of interests. We’ve asked older Queenslanders what kinds of events and activities they would like to attend and their responses are below:

• Music and concerts
• Live entertainment
• Wellbeing expos
• Cooking classes
• Art classes and workshops
• Dances and dance classes
• Outdoor theatre
• Cinema days
• Story sharing
• Trivia and games
• Forums
• Excursions and bus trips
• Walks and fun runs
• Come and Try Days
• Sports
• Technology classes
• Opportunities to make new friends

Where possible it is best to ask your community what types of event and activities they would like to attend.

If at any time you would like to talk out your event idea, please get in contact with Lisa Hodgkinson, seniorsmonth@cotaqld.org.au or phone 07 3316 2908.

All eligible applicants must be:
• located and service Queensland.
• a registered charity, incorporated association, limited by guarantee company and hold public liability insurance of a minimum of $20 million.
* If your organisation is not any of the above, or does not have $20 million in public liability insurance, the applicant can be auspiced (sponsored) by an organisation that meets the above criteria or local council. Read more about applications via auspicing on page 6.
• able to demonstrate alignment between the event or activity and the 2023 Program Objectives.
• able to demonstrate financial viability through a comprehensive budget.

All applications and are acquittals are to be completed using SmartyGrants, an online grants management system.   You can sign up for a free account or use your existing account at qldseniorsmonth.smartygrants.com.au.

Applications open at 9am Tuesday 1 March 2022 and will close  at 11:59pm Saturday 30 April 2022. 

Before getting started you will need:

• Your SmartyGrants login details
  • If you do not have an existing login you can create a free account by registering your details
• Your ABN or ACNC number
  • If you do not have an ABN number you will need to complete a Statement by Supplier form – ato.gov.au/forms/statement-by-a-supplier-not-quoting-an-abn/
• A digital copy of your organisations or auspicing organisations Public Liability Certificate of Currency showing the insured coverage amount as $20 million or more to submit to in the application
• Clear details of your event, location, the cultural and social outcomes aligning to the program objectives, estimated number attendees and target audience.
• A budget including your income and expenditure.

Please note you will need to complete an application for each event you are seeking funding to support. If successful, each event will require a separate acquittal.  

Eligible organisations can apply for up to $2,000 and are encouraged to contribute to event.

This could include:

• sponsorship,
• cash or in-kind support contributions such as venue hire,
• operational costs, including staff wages,
• and organisational contributions.

Subsidies can be spent on the following items:

• Venue hire
• Catering
• Guest speakers, entertainment, musicians, and artists
• Temporary instructors and tutors engaged specifically for the event
• Transport
• Marketing and advertising of the event

The subsidy does not cover the following:

• Staff wages and organisational running costs
• Administration fees including phone and postage charges
• Collateral items including banners, signage, flags, computers, computer software, cloth napkins, and crockery
• Gifts of any sorts
• Raffle and door prizes