Grants

Writing a Parkestone application

This guide is about making the application process clearer for people and groups working with the South Australian LGBTIQA+ community. These funds exist to be accessible to people who cannot get, or do not qualify for, other grants.

Not every strong application can be funded — the Foundation receives many, and some worthwhile projects will still miss out.

What will not count against you

What we are not judging

Spelling, grammar, or syntax.
How well you can write English.
Stigmatised identities, including sex workers, kinksters, and other communities that are often judged elsewhere. The aim is to support and uplift people who are stigmatised or oppressed.
How popular a person or group is. A grant is not a popularity contest.

What the panel needs to see

What we are judging

Clarity and community benefit

Be clear about who benefits and why.
Clearly identify the South Australian LGBTIQA+ focus, involvement, and benefit.
If your project responds to a need, explain how you know that need exists.

Use of funds

Show where the money is going with an itemised list, written quote, or realistic estimate.
The more specific you are about costs, the easier it is to assess your application.

Uniqueness and funding rationale

If something similar already exists, explain what is different, more useful, or more relevant about your version.
Explain why the project cannot be funded another way, especially if you are a business or working with funded partners.

Realism and evidence

Describe goals that are realistic, achievable in the timeframe, and measurable for reporting.
Literature, surveys, and support letters can help, but not every community need requires formal proof.
Frame your outcome with simple, concrete goals instead of padded language.

Application details

Filling in the form

Email: Make sure your email address is correct. Check spam or junk folders, and mark Parkestone Foundation as a safe sender.
Name of applicant: This identifies you as an individual. It does not need to be your legal name, but it must identify you clearly. Legal details may be needed later for contracts or fund transfers, and will be kept confidential.
Telephone: List a number that can receive calls. If possible, enable voicemail and check it regularly.
Postal address: This does not have to be your home address. A PO Box, workplace, or similar mailing address is fine.
Applying on behalf of a group: Name the group, organisation, or business, and state your role within it.
Name of project: Keep it short and clear. Choose something you will still be happy to see published if the application succeeds.
Description of project: Use who, what, where, when, and why as a guide. Make the South Australian LGBTIQA+ relevance explicit.
Desired outcome: State the end goal in a sentence or two. Explain how you will know the project is finished or successful, and what participants gain.
Who will be involved: Explain any collaboration and why those people are the right fit. Confirm whether they already know about the project and support it.
Existing projects and timing: If the project already exists, explain its history and current impact. If similar work exists elsewhere, explain how yours differs or reaches a different group.
How the project meets our objectives: Point at the objectives your project serves. They are listed in full on the objectives page.
Other grants and other funding: Be clear about whether you have applied elsewhere, whether those applications are pending or unsuccessful, and why Parkestone funding is still necessary. If partner services already have other funding, explain why they cannot cover the relevant costs.

Funding request and spend

Budget and grant amount

Ask for what you actually need, not automatically the full amount. The Foundation can offer partial funding, or decline applications where costs are unclear or appear padded.

Purpose-led catering

Catering should have a clear purpose. Dinner for its own sake is not usually fundable.

Skilled people and facilitators

Hiring people with specific skills — artists, web developers, DJs, youth workers — may be appropriate.

Venue, goods, and resources

Resources must benefit the community rather than build private property or capital.

Promotion, insurance, and delivery

Venue hire, one-off event insurance, project goods, and promotional costs can all be relevant.

Wages, honorariums, and speaker fees are not typical, but exceptions can be made when you clearly explain the value and why those costs cannot be covered elsewhere.

Tick the declaration, submit the form, and keep your application practical, specific, and community-focused.

Ready to apply?

Applications are open June to July each year, for grants of up to $2,000.

Go to the application