TIP 2025 Toolkit
What does a winning TIP application look like?
Great question! Over the past 30-plus years we’ve seen some great applications which have gone straight to the shortlist and ended up receiving funding.
We’ve seen other applications which didn’t hit the mark. And for those unsuccessful applicants, considerable time spent with no outcome.
So, we’ve done the research for you. We talked to teachers who had submitted successful, and unsuccessful applications. We also spoke to teachers who had never heard of TIP and we pulled all of the information together.
Checklist
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Is your school eligible? |
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Is your project innovative? New to your school? |
| Will it make a tangible difference to your students? |
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Is your project ‘filling a gap’ in your school curriculum? |
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Are you willing to share photos/video/commentary about your project as it progresses and at its completion with Bank First? |
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Does your Principal and/or Leading Teacher support your project? |
What a successful tip project looks like
Projects that are
- Innovative and BOLD!
- BIG ideas
- Collaborative
Winning schools have projects which
- Show us that you’re thinking outside-the-square
- Clearly show that you’re meeting a need that requires additional effort within your school
- Clearly articulate the benefits for students/school/community
- Will make other schools take notice and adopt similar projects for their own students
Consider this
- Ask your school leaders (councillors, ambassadors, art, environment, sport) for their ideas to improve the school. There could be a great idea in there!
- Let your students pitch their project!
- Collaborate with colleagues from other schools.
What is not funded by TIP
- Staff wages
- The purchase of computers and software – the development of software to be used by students and/or staff will be considered.
- Furniture, stationery, books and resources reasonably expected to be provided by the Education Dept
All applications must demonstrate
- All financial implications, including reliance on any other contributions
- Capacity to deliver the project in the 2025 school year
- Eligibility
- Value for money
- Financial implications – including other financial and in-kind contributions
- Financial acquittal – proof that funds have been spent as per the grant agreement requirements
- Commitment to provide Bank First with photo/videography and commentary opportunities to be used for marketing purposes
Successful TIP projects: past examples
Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School
A $2000 TIP grant to purchase a Thermomix to make cooking easier for students. And they’re not cooking for themselves – the school’s community café is a favourite for locals and in 2024, Bank First commissioned the café to provide catering for our Annual General Meeting. In 2022, the school received TIP funding for a new point-of-sale machine which students learn to use– a great skill for when they’re ready to head into the workforce.
$2,000
Kalinda Primary School
A TIP grant for this school’s STEM project has boosted its STEM offering. Students are designing and producing their own 3D printed items using recycled products and 3D printers. Senior school students designed superhero toys and younger students designed and produced ball bearing mazes. It’s a hands-on approach with students finding solutions to big problems.
$1680
Oscar Romero Catholic Primary School
Students at this school are left in no doubt as to what rubbish goes into which bin. The school used its TIP grant to purchase 28 Eco-Bins to manage waste sustainably. Helping the environment and learning which will benefit these students, and their environment, well beyond school.
$2,000
Essex Heights Primary School
An innovative Maths Garden – a concept developed by students at Essex Heights Primary School was completed following a TIP grant in 2022. These students told us that they loved mathematics and their idea – to take maths out of the classroom and into the playground. Giant snakes and ladders, chess and games that involve all aspects of maths developed in the playground.
$2000
The numbers matter
A simple budget template
It’s a certain type of personality type that loves a budget. When it comes to applying for grants, and allocating grants, the numbers really matter.
TIP grants are funded by our Members and we have an obligation to ensure that each and every dollar granted, is used as it should be.
We understand that it might be time consuming, but it’s really important that we have a clear idea where TIP funding will be allocated and what other support you are receiving, both financial and in-kind for your project.
There are resources online but they’re often for large grant amounts, in the six figures and beyond, which involve salaries, travel and other expenses.
We are looking for a simple breakdown from every TIP application, starting with the total amount requested, how that will be distributed to support your project and any other financial or in-kind contributions.
