Grant programs play a critical role in delivering economic, social and community outcomes. As expectations for transparency, accountability and value for money continue to grow, organisations require robust processes to ensure funding is allocated fairly and delivers intended results.
Governments are facing increasing pressure to deliver better public services and infrastructure while ensuring funding is managed sustainably, transparently and with a strong focus on outcomes. At the same time, the allocation of public funds through grant programs is under greater scrutiny than ever, as highlighted by Parliamentary inquiries, Audit Office reviews and investigations by integrity agencies. In this environment, robust grant program design and administration have never been more important. OCM helps government and public sector organisations design, deliver and manage grant programs, providing the governance, assurance and expertise needed to make confident funding decisions and maximise program outcomes.
Specialist grants capabilities
Grant program planning and design through to award and acquittal. We ensure grants are appropriately managed.
Independent advice
Alternative funding models such as public-private partnerships, co-investment frameworks, and targeted grant programs.
End-to-end services
Coming from our holistic approach and offering an additional level of assurance.
Sustainable
Ensuring funding is allocated, monitored and reported with rigour, transparency, and measurable impact–driving long-term value.
Capabilities
Innovation brings fresh thinking to tackle complex problems. OCM can assist you manage the complexity and risk, providing practical expertise across the full grants process.
Together, we deliver progress that matters on...
Grant program planning and design
- We work with all levels of Government to review, consider and apply grant program policy authority and objectives
- Designing programs to ensure maximum flexibility and apply proportionality to risk and governance
- Maintaining a robust process to demonstrate the policy authority and objectives are being met.
Grant program governance
- We help ensure grant programs are designed with the right governance and processes to achieve their intended outcomes
- Designing frameworks that align with policy authority and objectives and ensure accountability in all stages
- Embedding risk and governance structure that supports clarity, compliance and achievement of intended outcomes.
Grant administration
We help manage a grant program on behalf of the agency. This involves:
- Designing the program and grant type to best meet the agency’s requirements
- Developing program guidelines and associated documents
- The administration of applicant due diligence, including eligibility checks and open-source searches to identify any potential risks to government
- The merit-based assessment of applications against the published assessment criteria to support consistent, evidence-based funding recommendations
- The preparation of assessment reports and approval documentation to support informed funding decisions by delegated decision-makers.
Probity oversight
- Market-leading probity advice for government grant programs
- Independent oversight to support fair, transparent and consistent grant processes
- Advice to support consistent assessment against established criteria
- Ensuring funding recommendations are evidence-based, documented and defensible.
Due diligence checks
- Supporting agencies to undertake proportionate due diligence on potential funding recipients
- Verifying applicant identity, eligibility and the legitimacy of funding applications
- Assessing integrity, reputational and financial viability risks
- Helping agencies make informed decisions about who they fund.
Grant acquittal and assurance
- Supporting grant acquittal and assurance activities to confirm public funds have been used for their intended purpose
- Undertaking audits and assurance reviews of grant expenditure and funding outcomes
- Assessing compliance with grant requirements and relevant government grants frameworks
- Helping agencies strengthen ongoing assurance and oversight of grant programs.
Capability uplift
- Building sustainable grant-making capability as government investment through grants continues to grow
- Upskilling staff across the grant lifecycle, from program design through assessment and administration
- Practical online modules covering grant processes, probity risks and better practice
- Tailored training to strengthen both program-specific and agency-wide grants capability.
Our outcomes
- Well-designed programs
- Fair and transparent processes
- Effective management and compliance
- Measurable impact and value
- Stronger communities and better outcomes
Cross-cutting principles
- Stakeholder engagement
- Equity, diversity and inclusion
- Good governance and accountability
- Data and information management
- Legal and compliance
- Continuous improvement
Design and development
Design and plan impactful, fit-for-purpose grants programs.
- Visioning and objectives
- Market sounding
- Business case
- Grants guidelines and application forms
Application process and evaluation
Attract quality applications, assess fairly and award grants transparently.
- Release to market
- Industry briefing and applicant support
- Receipt of submissions
- Eligibility and selection criteria assessment
- Probity and conflict of interest
- Financial due diligence
- Grants award and funding agreement
Program administration
Manage grants, monitor performance and ensure compliance and value for money.
- Grants administration platform management
- Financial management
- Milestone payments
- Risk management
- Governance and management controls
Close-out
Close grants properly and capture learnings to improve future programs.
- Acquittals
- Post-implementation evaluation
- Knowledge capture and improvement
- Program completion
Proportionality in grant governance
Our people
Andrew Marsden
Judy Malpas
Sarah Mullins
Policy-driven. Outcomes that last.
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