Australian and New Zealand Association of Bellringers

What are projects and grants?

Typically major projects involve the installing of bells into a new tower, or adding bells to an existing tower, or a major refurbishment of an existing tower. Such projects usually involve large amounts of money, and generally the bulk of the funding comes from donations (tax-deductible in the case of Australian projects) where the donor expresses a preference that the donation goes to that project.

While there is no cut-and-dried distinction between major and minor projects, minor projects could involve the installation of a simulator to a tower, or might involve mini-rings; normally they involve less money, and do not require engineers' reports. As with major projects, donations (tax-deductible in the case of Australian projects) can be made expressing a preference for such projects.

Grants are also made from ANZAB's two funds, and are taken from donations or bequests where no preference has been expressed, or from income generated by invested funds. Grants may be given to approved projects (in which case they would be in addition to any preferenced donations that the project might expect to receive). They can also be made to specific undertakings or events such as a training weekend, which are not approved projects and for which there is no expectation of preferenced donations.

How payments are made

Money is disbursed from the Public Fund and the General Donation Fund following advice from ANZAB's Executive, with the Funds Committee making the final approval.

Money is paid to approved projects usually only when some part of the work is complete and invoices are to hand. Those running the project (typically the church authorities for major projects) then either pay the invoice and request reimbursement, or ask ANZAB to pay the invoice; ANZAB makes the reimbursement or payment, usually from donations received that have been preferenced to that project, though the Funds Committee may also choose to make a grant from unpreferenced donations or from income generated by the funds.

Grants to anything other than approved projects are made typically as one-off payments, after an application has been received and approved by ANZAB's Executive and Funds Committee.

Applying to have a project approved

A major project is one for which the bulk of the funding is expected to come from donations made by members of the public.  These typically are for new towers, or enhancements of existing towers, or major refurbishments. The major project application form must be completed by an authorised representative of the body undertaking the project (which, in the case of church bells, is the church or other organisation that owns or will own the bells, rather than the local ringers). Approval ultimately depends on the vote of the Funds Committee, made in consultation with the Executive and ANZAB's Advisory Panel, and will not be given until it is clear that the project is fully planned, budgeted and ready to proceed.

The process for a minor project is similar, though the total budget is smaller. Typically the project might involve fitting a simulator to existing bells, or might involve a mini-ring. In such cases the owner of the equipment in question might be a ringing society rather than a church authority, though projects will not normally be approved where the owner is an individual ringer. The minor project application form must be completed by a representative of the body that owns the project.

With both major and minor projects, the applicant may also request a grant from ANZAB (i.e. over and above donations that are expected, preferenced to the project), and if so this should be indicated on the application form. The approval of any such grant will depend on the availability of funds, and approval of the project does not imply that the grant will necessarily also be approved.

In all cases it is recommended that you consult the or the well before you formally seek approval for a project.

Applying for a payment related to an approved project

Once a project is approved and donations have been received preferenced to the project, the owners of the project may request payments to be made from these funds or from any grant that ANZAB may make. To do this, please contact the and include details of the work completed and a copy of the relevant invoice. Indicate whether the invoice has already been paid (and you are therefore seeking reimbursement), or you are asking ANZAB to pay the invoice directly. Note that any part of the invoice that the project owner can reclaim from another source (such as any GST that can be reclaimed) will be excluded from the amount ANZAB pays, and that each payment requires the approval of the Funds Committee.

Applying for a grant for an approved project

If you wish to request a grant from ANZAB in addition to funding you hope to receive via donations preferenced to your project, please indicate this when you seek approval for the project. Approval of the project does not imply that the grant will also be approved; grants depend on the availability of funds, and you are advised to consult the about what grant, if any, is likely to be approved, though the final decision rests with the Funds Committee.

Applying for other one-off grants

Grants are also available to undertakings or events that are not approved projects. Such grants are typically paid to assist with the funding of a training or recruitment event or to assist with a minor improvement to a tower or mini-ring, where tax-deductible donations are not expected as part of the funding (and project approval is therefore not relevant). Grants are normally made as one-off payments: documentation is required about how the money is to be used, plus proof where appropriate after the event that it has been spent as planned.

Please contact the if you wish to apply for a grant. Approval of the Executive and Funds Committee is required, so please make your request in ample time.