Your Guide to the SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative

Queensland kids are lucky. With sunny weather year-round, it can be beach day every day. Unfortunately, all this gorgeous tropical weather comes with its own special kind of risks. The Sunshine State is also known as the skin cancer capital of the world, a title we've held for a few years now.

To help keep all those nasty melanomas at bay, the Queensland Department of Health and Cancer Council Queensland are back again with the SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative. Find out more about whether your organisation is eligible and how you can increase your chances of success when applying for these important shade grants.

What is the SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative?

The SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative provides shade grants of 75% of the total cost of a permanent shade project, up to a maximum of $20,000. These shade grants for school kids and other not-for-profit organisations that cater to children aim to reduce skin cancer rates in Queensland.

The shades you can apply for include:

• Permanent shade sail
• Permanent hard roofed structure

Who is Eligible For a Shade Grant?

SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative eligibility includes Queensland-based not-for-profit organisations that cater to children up to the ages of 18 years. Applicants must have proof of their not-for-profit status and not have received funding for shades for schools in the last two years.

Organisations that will be considered include:

• Schools
• Childcare centres
• Sporting clubs
• Community groups

As an extra stipulation, Queensland Department of Health has specific target areas for shade across the state which will be prioritised. Organisations with a commitment to implementing sun safety actions and groups located in rural, remote, or disadvantaged areas will also be given priority.

How Do I Apply For the SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative?

Once the applications are open, there are a few steps you'll need to follow to apply for the shade grants.

1. Create a user account with SurveyMonkey
2. Apply by clicking on the ‘Apply Now’ button on the application page
3. Register to Cancer Council Queensland’s free QUEST program
4. Choose five sun protection strategies that your organisation will include
5. If you are an early childhood centre, primary school, or outside hours care service join the National SunSmart program
6. Ensure your organisation has funding to cover the remaining project costs 

You will be able to save and edit your application as you progress so make sure to take your time to ensure a high-quality application.

 

When Are the Shade Grants Available?

• Applications open: 27 September 2021
• Applications close: 11:59 pm 19 November 2021
• Successful recipients notified: Early 2022
• All projects completed: May 2022

Ready to Apply? Better Get in Quick!

As a premium provider of outdoor shade solutions, Project Shade can help with a wide range of products including school shades, contemporary shade structures, and heavy-duty commercial umbrellas. We're experienced in working with government bodies and local councils so we can help you through the application process to increase your chance of receiving funding. Here's a project we completed Childers State School with help of our friends Mister Shade during the 2020 Shade Creation Initiative. 

The SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative closes on 19 November 2021 so you don't have much time to get your application in. Contact us today if you want help getting started or if you would like to receive a quote for the shade grant.