In 2022, CPL Group launched the Inclusion Impact Fund, a one-of-a-kind grants fund focused on funding projects that breakdown or remove the barriers faced by people living with disability in Australia. 

The Inclusion Impact Fund (IIF) aims to connect community business projects that focus on reducing barriers for people with disability. Funds granted from the Inclusion Impact Fund will create a greater impact across the sector and will support CPL Group to realise its vision of a world where all people live an inclusive, passionate and fulfilling life.  

“CPL Group has a vision of a world where all people live an inclusive, passionate and fulfilling life. Yet, we recognise we cannot create this change ourselves. We must invest in ideas and projects lead by others who share our vision.”

CPL Group Chief Executive Officer, Rhys Kennedy 

About the Fund

The CPL Group Inclusion Impact Fund (IIF) identifies innovations which stand to have a profound impact in the lives of people with disability, and provides them with grant funding to further create, develop or expand their business idea.  

The IIF focuses on innovations which will ultimately remove barriers faced by people with disability, like transport and travel, employment, community access, and general inclusion in daily life. 

 

Does my project fit within the Inclusion Impact Fund requirements?

Welcoming new and sustainable ways to better support people living with disability is part of our mission. From support in the home, providing suitable opportunities for ongoing employment, gaining access to transport, and through to fully inclusive community and recreation participation are just some of the things we are hoping to achieve through IIF to ensure people living with disability can live a life full of independence. 

We’ve categorised the unmet needs of people with disability into 4 categories for funding. Listed below is a description of the funding categories and project ideas that aim to solve these unmet needs.

 

Funding areas that directly impact unmet needs of people with disability.

Transport can come in many forms, from getting to and from the shops and work, to travelling abroad and going on holidays. 

Example projects:

  • Access to readable and transparent or audio descriptive timetables
  • Specialised fleet services within geographical locations
  • Inclusive and accessible signage
  • Tailored travel guides
  • Technology advancements in vehicle modifications

Understanding inclusion can be complicated, but educating the community through training, resources and innovative products is key to an inclusive society.

  • Educational programs to assist in understanding what disability is

  • Resource development to raise awareness of inclusion within a workplace

  • Early childhood education material development to aid in values/behaviour setting within children

Being employed isn’t just about earning an income, it provides new connections, builds skillsets, and allows for a person to feel a sense of worth.  

  • Educational resources to making a workplace fully accessible  

  • Workplace adaptation to ensure equal participation and opportunity for all positions and workplace activities 

  • Technology, furniture and access items or services that allow employees to make suitable modifications 

  • Business development training and/or start-up seed funding for a person with disability who has a business concept or business

Everyone deserves to be included in community, whether that be being part of a local sporting team, going to the movies, going to an event, meeting like-minded people, or simply visiting the shops.

  • Transparent event platforms that outline detail accessibility provisions
  • Accessibility-first event guides or planning tools for the public  
  • Community hubs or community connectivity applications for people with disability
  • Upgrades and equipment that improve inclusive facilities within the community
  • Programs that train and/or educate mainstream sectors/service providers to cater better to the needs of people with disability.

Along with these there are many other services or tools that could have a profound impact on the life of a person with disability. Such as mealtime assistance, personal care support, easier ways to get ready and going out, or help with ongoing household chores management.  

Whatever your idea may be - we would love to hear about it. 

The finer details

  • Funding is open to individuals, sole traders, partnerships, corporates, and non-for-profit organisations.    

  • For the current round, funding of up to $20,000 per grant is available.  

  • Successful applicants will enter a funding agreement prior to payment of the grant.  

  • The funding term is 12 months. Successful applicants will be required to acquit the funding with a brief report detailing how the funding was spent and the impact the project has created in the community. 

  • Successful grant recipients will be required to take part in a content collection session with the CPL Group Marketing team, including interview, photography and videography. 

  • Ongoing marketing activities may be required throughout the funding term.  

About CPL Group

CPL Group comprises a range of organisations and brands - CPL – Choice, Passion, Life, Cootharinga, Access Arts and Mylestones – each of which plays a unique role in supporting people with disability to achieve their goals. Collectively, we support more than 15,000 people each year across Queensland and New South Wales. 

 

 

How to apply

Submit an application by 30 March 2023 using one of our application methods below.

Please review the Inclusion Impact Fund Guidelines before applying. 

For assistance with your application contact grants@cpl.org.au or call 07 3358 8030.

 

Apply online

Fill out and submit an Online Application Form, along with supporting material to grants@cpl.org.au by 5:00pm Thursday 30 March 2023. 

Apply here

Word Format

Download and send an Inclusion Impact Fund 2023 Application Form, along with supporting material to grants@cpl.org.au by 5:00pm Thursday 30 March 2023. 

Download Form

Auslan

Film an Auslan video, ensuring all questions from the Inclusion Impact Fund 2023 Application Form are covered. Save this video to a DropBox, Google Drive or similar site, and send the link to grants@cpl.org.au by 5:00pm Thursday 30 March 2023. 

Audio Record

Record an audio recording, ensuring all questions from the Inclusion Impact Fund 2023 Application Form are covered. Save this video to a DropBox, Google Drive or similar site, and send the link to grants@cpl.org.au by 5:00pm Thursday 30 March 2023. 

 

Phone or Video

Request a phone or video interview with our team by emailing grants@cpl.org.au prior to Friday 17 March 2023. These calls will go for 20 minutes and our will ask the same questions outlined on the Inclusion Impact Fund 2023 Application Form. Supporting material will still be required via email. 

Previous grant recipients

SmithKit

SmithKit which stands for Simple Meals in the Home are on a mission to help everyone plan, prepare and enjoy delicious home-cooked meals. Their goal is to help individual NDIS participants and providers of Disability Support Services feel confident, empowered and inspired to get cooking. 

Specifically designed for residential support services, including group and individual homes that are assisted by a support worker. SmithKit brings together easy, low cost, delicious recipes on one digital meal planning app. 

“Poor quality of choice of meals has a real impact on the quality of life for people with disability. We saw the need for a service that is simple to access, understand and use for both people with disability living independently, and staff supporting people with disability in their homes. 

“The IIF funding will allow us to gain a deeper understanding of what people with disability need when it comes to their meals; so that we can continue to develop the SmithKit offering and roll it out in more households across Australia.”

Co-found Rebecca Reidy said. 

Find out more information about SmithKit here: smithkit.com.au

Christina Stephens

Christina Stephens is an inclusive Brisbane-based fashion label, that aims to provide people living with disability a choice to feel confident and empowered in clothing that looks as good as it feels. 

Christina Stephens hopes to ‘fill the gap’ in the mainstream market that is accessible fashion by focusing on not only functionality of clothing, but also ensuring the clothes they bring to market provide people the dignity to look great, feel comfortable, and to ultimately have their confidence boosted. 

Carol Taylor, Partner and Head of Design and Production at Christina Stephens – and the world’s first quadriplegic fashion designer – said the grant would further their mission to bring adaptive and inclusive fashion to the mainstream. 

“The IIF fund will assist with product development for a more targeted customer base. This will provide us with a better understanding of our customers' clothing and shopping preferences". 

Find out more information about Christina Stephens here: christinastephens.com.au