GrantsPlus Consulting began working with statewide disability organisation Down Syndrome QLD (DSQ) in 2017. This partnership has so far reaped over $2.4M in successful grant funding for DSQ.
DSQ supports approximately 3000 Queenslanders with Down Syndrome and their families. In recent years, with funding obtained with our help, DSQ has expanded services to offer support to other intellectual disability types, as part of a strategic service expansion.
When CEO Darryl Steff first contacted Lisa to discuss grant applications for the group, he was the volunteer President. Over the years, Darryl has spearheaded a strategic expansion for the charity, taken on the role of CEO and made good use of Lisa’s services and advice to obtain funding for new projects and income generation activities. This has helped DSQ to grow in both visibility, staff and turnover.
Lisa and her senior contractor, Kerri, have worked on a regular basis to position DSQ as lead contenders for State Government funding; corporate and philanthropic grants; federal government service tenders and State government and Brisbane City Council grant programs. When Darryl has a major grant funding opportunity come across his desk now, Lisa is the first person he calls to discuss the options and ideas. When Lisa finds a program she feels is a good fit, she is quick to make a call and discuss ideas with Darryl.
Together Lisa and Kerri have helped Darryl to obtain grant funding for DSQ to:
-work with statewide sporting clubs to improve inclusion opportunities for people with Down Syndrome (DS) and Intellectual Disability (ID) in sports
-run fundraising and community inclusion events across QLD
-deliver new support services to students, teachers and families of children and young people with DS and ID in Queensland schools
-improve facilities, buy equipment and deliver training and promotion activitiesDeliver Continuing Education Programs that help young people with DS who have left school, to learn new skills that support their independence and improve their daily lives.
They have also helped DSQ to secure new premises through a tender process with Council and are now working on grants to support fit out of the new facility and equipment, playgrounds and sensory-gardens to support program delivery at the new site.
Recently, Lisa took an innovative approach to positioning DSQ against comparatively larger competitors, to take over service delivery of regional peer support groups for parents of children with disabilities (all disabilities) in regional Queensland. The tender was successful for a large multi-year contract and DSQ beat out the existing, much larger provider, for the service area.
Most significantly, DSQ was a small not-for profit agency with a relatively small turnover before they began working with Grantsplus Consulting. Today DSQ has increased staff, increased premises, expanded service delivery and a turnover approaching $2M p.a.
We love being able to help organisations like DSQ succeed. To find out what could be available for your organisation, contact us now.