How to apply to receive support from the Melbourne Cup Community Programme

The VRC will consider applications from charitable organisations that can demonstrate alignment with its corporate values.

Three levels of charitable support currently exist:

• Level 1 - tickets and hospitality donations for fundraising purposes
• Level 2 - ongoing Community Partnerships
• Level 3 - cash donations subject to the needs of the organisation and funding availability.

Each application is assessed on its individual merit, with priority given to charitable programs which:

• support a need in the areas of animal welfare, racing industry participant welfare, community health and welfare, social issues that exist in the context of the Club’s operations
• are located in communities where the VRC operates or to which the Melbourne Cup is connected
• are sustainable in delivering long-term benefits
• are conducted by a Not-For-Profit Entity with Deductible Gift Recipient Status with an office in Victoria.

Depending on the level of support sought, charities may also be required to demonstrate:

• consistent and effective management
• clear goals and objectives that align with Melbourne Cup Community Fund objectives
• a broad base of funding support
• a demonstrated ability to respond to the needs of specific groups in a manner that yields measurable results
• effective utilisation and management of Volunteers.

Limitations

The Programme will not support:

• Advertising campaigns
• Partisan, political, or denominational programs
• Intermediary funding agencies
• Endowment campaigns
• Executive salaries or travel expenses
• Requests that are not in writing
• Individuals or private enterprise.

Application process

Depending on which level application you are applying for, there are required details that you must include.

When applying, please make sure of the following:

• You have read the Melbourne Cup Community Programme Charter and clearly understand it.
• You have included all application details on official charity letterhead.
• You have not included any materials other than those specifically requested.
• You have signed and dated the application.

All applications are to be posted or delivered to:

Melbourne Cup Community Programme
c/o Victoria Racing Club
448 Epsom Road
Flemington Vic 3031

Level 1 Application 

Complete a letter of request for a project for which you are seeking support, including these required details:

• A brief profile of the charity or organisation.
• A brief profile of the staff involved.
• An explanation of the event to be held including the relevant date
• A brief summary of where the money raised would be spent.

Make sure you follow all the instructions as outlined above in 'Application process'.

Level 2 & 3 Application

Complete a letter of request for a project for which you are seeking support, including these required details:

• A brief profile of the charity or organisation, its vision, mission and objectivities.
• A brief profile of the key personnel, or staff involved.
• An explanation of the event to be held including the relevant date.
• A brief summary of where the money raised would be spent.

For a level 2 & 3 application, please also:

• Provide the original and one copy of each separate application.

Make sure you follow all the instructions as outlined above in 'Application process'.

 

How to put in a submission for being involved in our Pin & Win program

The Pin & Win program involves a registered charity selling Melbourne Cup Pins before and during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The charity chosen will need to commit to the purchase of a minimum quantity of Melbourne Cup Pins.

Please find the guidelines for any charity wishing to create a submission document for the Pin & Win program. The submission should cover the following:

Profile of the charity:

• A brief profile of the charity, its vision, mission and objectives.
• A brief profile of its key executives, board and structure.
• A brief summary of where the money raised from the Pin & Win promotion would be spent.
• Demonstration entity is a deductible gift recipient status recognised by the ATO with an office in Victoria.

Major event experience:

• A summary of the charity's experience in working with a major event.
• Promotional capability and experience, and how you would execute the Pin & Win promotion.
• A brief summary to demonstrate the previous promotional capability and experiences of your charity.  Demonstrate some ideas of how you would execute the Pin & Win promotion to maximise the sale of pins and revenue back to your charity.
• Demonstrate how you would secure minimum 350 volunteers.

Other benefits to the VRC:

• Summarise any additional benefits that your charity possesses. For example; Ambassadors, retail alliances, media partnerships, events, databases of donors or volunteers.

Submission process

When applying, please make sure of the following:

• You have read the Melbourne Cup Community Programme Charter and clearly understand it.
• You have completed a submission for the projecet for which you are seeking support.
• You have provided the original and the one copy of each separate application.
• All application details are on official charity letterhead.
• You have not included any materials other than those specifically requested.
• Your submission is signed and dated.

All applications are to be posted or delivered to:

Melbourne Cup Community Programme
c/o Victoria Racing Club
448 Epsom Road
Flemington Vic 3031