Over $900,000 available for new content! – grants close 16 March 2012
Community radio stations small, medium and large, rural, regional, sub-metro and metro are all
encouraged to apply for a General Content Development grant from the Community Broadcasting
Foundation. Over $900,000 is up for grabs in Round 2 to support new and existing programs and
program development at your station.
‘New’ radio content is defined as original content, not recycled or repeated from other programs at your
station or elsewhere. This content can be produced by existing programs, but the content must meet
this definition. The fund has two sub categories. One is for salary subsidies and the other is for specific
programs and it’s important not to get them confused.
In the salary subsidy category, the General Grants Advisory Committee is looking to support positions
that contribute across the station or a group of programs. Examples might include:
Talks coordinator – someone who helps to coordinate interviews for all programs across the
station or across a set of talks-based programs at the station.
Program Manager – someone who helps to schedule and coordinate all programs across the
station. Applicants in this category must show how the position will generate ‘new’ content at
the station.
Community access coordinator – someone who actively identifies community groups who could
be involved with the station and finds opportunities for them to get involved to produce
content. Examples might include youth, seniors, migrants, clubs and groups such as Rotary,
Guides, CWA, CFA, Surf lifesavers, environmental groups… the list is up to you.
Social media /online content development coordinator – this person might assist programs
across the station to develop their online content such as podcasts, Facebook pages, blogs and
listener feedback.
Remember all applications must demonstrate how the position will contribute to the creation of ‘new’
content at your station.
In the program category you could apply for one-off programs, segments, short series or regular weekly
programs that meet the criteria. You should be thinking about which existing programs you could
develop further through additional financial support and/or what good new programs you could initiate
with grant support. For example:
Local community current affairs or magazine-style programs specific to your community of
interest. Perhaps you want to produce, or currently already produce, a local environmental
program, a school program, seniors’ news, oral history or any other themed program of
relevance to your local community, or community of interest.
Networked programs on a regional, state or national basis e.g. a locally relevant weekly
farming program which might be shared by 2-3 stations, a state-wide weekly current affairs
show or a state based alternative arts program.
Documentaries including local history; commemorating significant events or people or
discussing current significant local issues.
One-off live programs linked to local festivals and/or significant events.
If you can create a new and innovative program that meets the needs of your community – all
the better. Surprise us!
While we expect most applications to be from individual stations the Committee is very keen to hear
about any programs that demonstrate collaboration between one or more stations or between stations
and local community services. Creative approaches to program-making that meet the needs of your
community and community engagement are the main priorities!
What do we mean by community engagement?
Basically it means collaborating or involving other community groups from within your target listening
audience. Specific examples include:
An Oral history program: Volunteers from the applicant station would visit significant people
from their local town or nursing homes to collect recollections about the town, including
significant events and historical eras. Such a program could be developed with the help of the
local historical society and also be available by podcast.
A Book reading program: This program would engage with the local community – for example
by collaborating with a local theatre group. It would demonstrate how the reading would be
shared with the whole sector, provide the required permission from the publisher, or even
better, encourage local writers to have their books serialised for the program.
A Rural Affairs program: One station would produce a weekly half hour rural affairs program
that is relevant to a region, for example northern NSW. This program would be shared with
other local community stations with segments made available as podcasts.
How much?
Grants are expected to range from $5,000 to $30,000 depending on what you require.
For program applications, the money can be used for most costs related to program production and
distribution, including for example:
producer fees, research and reference costs (e.g. purchase of materials, fax, phone, internet
access),
audio media and other production materials,
program related travel,
administrative expense, consumables (stationery),
printing, photocopying,
minor website development specific to the program,
music download costs,
projects involving collaboration between one or more stations to mentor or share knowledge
with broadcasters in creating high quality radio content, as long as the project results in content
outcomes,
And more! The Committee is keen to see programs applying for what they need and this can
vary between different applications. Check the guidelines for a list of things less likely to be
funded.
For salary subsidy applications, grants are capped at $30,000 and can be used for costs related to:
Content-related salary subsidies for new or existing positions (subsidies sought for existing
positions must demonstrate how the funds sought will lead to new outcomes),
Positions must be dedicated to overseeing content production and distribution, not general
administration or management at the station,
Such positions must be across-program, i.e. responsible for the coordination of a range of
programs at a station, rather than specific to one program only,
Stations are required to demonstrate how they will make up the remaining funds for the salary
and how they plan to sustain the position beyond the funding period.
Check it out!
On the Foundation’s website, www.cbf.com.au, you’ll find the detailed Guidelines for Content
Development grants. Read the guidelines thoroughly and once you have fleshed out an idea for a grant
application, it’s worth making a quick phone call to Grants Administrator Georgie Boucher at
gboucher@cbf.com.au or (03) 9419 8055 who may well be able to advise you on how to improve the
proposal and increase your chances of securing a grant.
Applications close on Friday 16 March 2012.
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