How to Access Funding
Life Saving Support Services Inc (LSSS) provides financial support to affiliated Royal Life Saving clubs and, in limited circumstances, individual members. Our funding is intended to strengthen life saving, water safety and related activities, with funds applied responsibly and in accordance with their purpose. All funding must be of benefit to the community.
Funding is not automatically available simply because an application is made. Each application is considered on its merits, having regard to the purpose of the funding, the funds available, the needs of the applicant and whether the applicant has the capacity to meet the cost themselves.
General Funds
Affiliated Royal Life Saving clubs may apply for support from general (unrestricted) funds at any time.
Applications will be considered where sufficient unrestricted funds are available. General funds may also be contributed to LSSS (i.e. by another person, organisation or fundraising activity) with the intention that LSSS considers those funds for an appropriate purpose.
When considering an application, LSSS will take into account whether the club has the financial capacity to fund the purchase, project or activity itself. LSSS is intended to provide additional support where it is reasonably needed, rather than routinely replacing a club’s own financial contribution.
Restricted Funds
Restricted funds are funds that have been contributed to LSSS to be held for a particular purpose or for the benefit of a particular affiliated club.
LSSS will generally only consider applications against restricted funds where the proposed expenditure is consistent with the purpose for which those funds were provided. The availability of restricted funds does not, by itself, mean that the funds need to be spent. LSSS will consider whether there is a genuine need for the proposed purchase, project or activity.
As with applications for general funds, LSSS will consider whether the affiliated club has the financial capacity to meet the cost itself (or via another method) before providing support from restricted funds.
Applications from Individuals
LSSS does not normally provide funding directly to individuals.
Where exceptional circumstances exist and an individual seeks financial support, the application should include a letter of support from the Royal Life Saving club of which the individual is a member, together with an explanation of why the club is unable to provide the required financial support itself.
Individual applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to the availability and appropriate use of funds.
The purpose must be consistent with a charitable purpose.
Governance of Funding Applications
All funding applications are subject to appropriate governance and financial oversight. LSSS will consider applications fairly and consistently, having regard to its charitable purposes, the nature and availability of the relevant funds, the circumstances of the applicant and the intended community or life saving benefit.
An application does not create an entitlement to funding. LSSS may approve an application in full, approve part of an application, request further information, defer consideration or decline an application. Conditions may also be attached to an approved grant, including requirements for the funds to be used only for the approved purpose and for appropriate evidence of expenditure to be provided. Normally, LSSS will make payment directly to a supplier or purchase the item, rather than provide cash.
Where appropriate, LSSS may also seek further information from the affiliated club or other relevant parties before making a decision. All funding decisions are made in accordance with LSSS’s governance responsibilities and with the objective of ensuring that funds entrusted to the organisation are used responsibly and for genuine life saving and community benefit.