Australian and New Zealand Association of Bellringers

What are approved projects, distribution of preferenced funds and grants?

A project may be approved by the Board of Directors. This would usually be sought for projects that are sufficiently complex or which is likely to attract preferenced donations. By having your project approved you can be confident that it is eligible for an ANZAB Grant including the distribution of any donations to ANZAB preferenced to your project.

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 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 can be made expressing a preference for such projects.

In addition to distribution of preferenced donations, ANZAB may make a Grant to a project. This Grant is from the portion of the Gift Fund for which no preference has been expressed, or from income generated by invested funds.

How payments are made

Money is disbursed from the Gift Fund following advice from ANZAB's Board of Directors.

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) pay the invoice and request reimbursement, or in exceptional circumstances ask ANZAB to pay the invoice in advance; 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 Board of Directors.

Applying to have a project approved

The approval forms will be reviewed during 2026-27, but may be used "as is" for the moment.

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 Board of Directors and ANZAB's Advisory Panel, and will not normally 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.

It is preferable that the church authority pays for any equipment in Australia, as they will normally be able to reclaim any GST (which ANZAB is not able to do).

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 (i.e. the church or equivalent) 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 (as may be the case for overseas payments). 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 Board of Directors.

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 Board of Directors.

ANZAB members may (by logging in) view the Finance Regulation and view Attachment A which includes guidance from the membership to the Directors regarding typical grants.