Apply to The Bunya Fund

• Advice: Access to advisory and education services from BCCM members and other approved providers.
• Infrastructure: Funding to support investment in organisational infrastructure where this is the main barrier to the implementation of a growth plan (e.g., a refrigerator for cold storage).
• BCCM foundational education and courses such as governance training and Mutual Value Measurement© workshops if available.
• BCCM Associate Membership for the remainder of the financial year.

Please note: Successful applicants will receive funding as a package of education, advice and mentoring. Grants are not awarded as cash funding

• The Bunya Fund will support up to four or five early-stage co-operative or mutual enterprises or initiatives (or businesses converting to a co-operative or mutual structure), primarily by covering the costs of business advice and capacity building education and training.
• The impact of funding will be maximised through the BCCM and funder expertise and in-kind support for selected projects.
• Applications are assessed by an independent committee comprising funders, the BCCM and an independent academic/researcher.

Please note: Successful applicants will receive funding as a package of education, advice and mentoring. Grants are not awarded as cash funding

Newer or emerging co-operatives and mutuals (including one based in regional WA) that can demonstrate:

• The organisation is fit and proper to receive funding (high level of ethical practice)
• Clear organisational purpose and objectives
• Strong current or prospective economic, social, cultural, and environmental impact within their communities
• Business viability (or pathway to viability)
• Basic business documentation (annual report, business plan, financials)
• A strong foundation of member/community support and engagement.

Applicants must generally be a co-operative or mutual. Enterprises that are not currently a co-operative or mutual but intend to convert to a co-operative or mutual structure with the support of the Bunya Fund may also apply (e.g., a business buyout by the community or workers). Applicants may be for-profit, not-for-profit or charitable. Evidence of co-operative or mutual status is best evidenced through registration as a co-operative under the Co-operatives National Law or Co-operatives Act 2009 (WA). Companies that include co-operative principles in their constitution and meet the definition of a mutual entity in the Corporations Act are also eligible.

In addition, applications that feature one or more of the following thematic areas will be prioritised:

• Wellbeing initiatives, including:
  • Lifelong wellness: improving health outcomes and access to care through co-operative approaches tailored to individual and community needs (e.g., healthcare co-operatives)
  • Economic empowerment: increasing financial security and resilience through employment-focused models (e.g., worker co-operatives).
  • Strong, place-based communities: enhancing local connectedness, social cohesion and mutual support through community-led initiatives (e.g., place-based co-operative or mutual aid development).
• Co-operative development in regional Western Australia, particularly projects that benefit grain-growing regions
• Housing-related initiatives, especially those with the potential to utilise co-operative and mutual structures for philanthropic, social and community investment
• South Australian co-operative and mutual projects exploring or seeking access to debt finance that advance human and ecological wellbeing.

• Professional advice required to support growth and capacity building
• Access to education or training to support growth and capacity building (governance, innovation, strategic planning, capital raising, mergers etc)
• Support for an existing business or organisation seeking to convert to being worker-owned or multistakeholder owned
• Support to further a regional economic development collaboration
• Support to build a co-operative or mutual network of social and community organisations or enterprises
• Support to develop an emerging or innovative co-operative model or initiative such as a limited-equity co-operative housing project or a platform co-operative
• Development of a farmer’s co-operative or mutual
• Support with the growth of a member-owned community asset (co-op pub/hotel/hardware store etc)

• Untested ideas
• Applications with little or no focus on creating positive social, economic, cultural or environmental outcomes  (a focus on one or more of these areas is acceptable)
• Applications with no clear plans or a demonstrated demand
• Applicants from a single individual with no evidence of broader community or member involvement
• Applicants that are not (or do not intend to be) co-operatives or mutuals
• Applicants that breach or do not support co-operative values and principles including openness, care for community, cooperation with other co-operatives or mutuals (or other social enterprises)

The Bunya Fund will not accept proposals for support that include activity relating to:

• Unlawful discrimination
• Partisan political or proselyting religious activities
• Damage or harm to the environment
• General donations
• Fundraising appeals or sponsorships
• Benefitting an individual.

Furthermore, wellbeing specific projects seeking support should take extra care to ensure that their application not include any activity relating to:

• Gambling, weaponry or military pursuits
• Alcohol, drug or tobacco use.

Please read the Bunya Fund criteria and make sure you meet the requirements before starting an application.

Please note: Previously funded projects will be considered if special circumstances warranting this can be established in this application.

Criteria

Your application will be assessed against the following criteria:

1. Co-operative or mutual structure and governance:
   • Proof of co-operative or mutual structure (or assurance that business is/will convert to co-operative or mutual structure)
   • Fit and proper operation and governance. The potential or existing enterprise practices the co-operative values and principles including openness, care for community, co-operation with other co-operatives or mutuals and no detrimental activity in these areas
2. Business case:
   • Have at least a basic Annual Report outlining achievements and organisational profile (or equivalent formal documentation)
   • Have financial statements including profit and loss and balance sheet (audited if required by law) that have been prepared and accepted by members at an Annual General Meeting (or if the enterprise is prospective equivalent formal documentation)
   • Provide at least basic business planning documentation
   • Provide verified member and/or community endorsement statements to support application
3. Mutual Impact:
   • Evidence of contribution to the social, economic, cultural and/or environmental wellbeing of the community where the enterprise is based or intends to be based

The applicant should ideally have been operating for three or more years and be planning for increased member and/or community investment in the future. The decision-making process will consider level of innovation, likelihood of receiving funds from other sources and overall balance of supported projects across various co-operative types and industries.

Please note: If you are not a currently registered co-operative or mutual but plan to convert to one, you can still apply to the fund and simply use documentation relating to your existing group or enterprise (such as existing business registrations and planning documents).

If you are confident that you can demonstrate that you meet the criteria, then please complete the online application form.

If you have any questions: info@bccm.coop

• Launch: Monday, 16 June 2025 

• Closing: 5 pm, Thursday, 31 July 2025 

• Announced: Wednesday, 10 September 2025 

Applications for round four are now officially closed.