While there are many things your organisation can do on your own, collaborating with strategic partners (other than existing partners and sponsors) can help you gain access to more resources, skills and connections. These strategic partnerships will help you to grow your existing activities, skill sets and capabilities and identify what else you can do to keep the momentum going.
Here are some examples of the benefits of strategic partnerships:
- A strategic partnership with key decision makers such as local councilors or Members of Parliament may assist in contributing future resources or support to improve how your facility meets the needs of women and girls.
- Connecting with a local law firm may provide support to help review and revise your policies at no cost (refer to Policies and Practice section).
- Your increased focus on women and girls could open doors to new sponsorship or partnership opportunities, and there may be a range of local businesses that would be interested in supporting your organisation beyond your existing sponsor base.
You might want to search for organisations that offer Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, pro-bono work or corporate workplace giving programs designed to benefit community organisations.
Resources and grants
Sometimes a little extra money will help you to accelerate the activities that support female participation. Many local, State and Federal government organisations also have a focus on supporting female participation, and offer grants to sporting organisations to assist at grassroots level. These grants may focus on participation, facilities, education or leadership. To ensure you are in the loop on these opportunities, you are encouraged to sign up to newsletters from Sport and Recreation Victoria, VicHealth, State Sporting Associations, Vicsport or your local council.
Sports Community provide a regularly updated list of current grant opportunities here.
Specifically, to women and girls, the VicHealth Active Club Grants Program offers to get more women and girls involved in sport. Funding will be awarded to clubs looking to establish new female teams or to deliver new activities, programs or competitions.
Sport and Recreation Victoria often offer a range of grants for the Victorian sport sector, including female initiatives and facilities.
Your local council will be a good starting place to refer to regarding grant opportunities. Refer to Know Your Council to find out more about your council, or refer to your local council website.
State Sporting Associations involved in the Everyone Wins program believe that ongoing partnerships with local businesses, governments and other not for profit organisations are key to making inclusion sustainable.