Government Funding Agreement Lawyers for NFPs & Charities

Request Free Consultation

Our Services

Our Government Funding & Grant Agreement Services

LawBridge Lawyers & Consultants offers a complete suite of legal services to help your NFP or charity navigate government funding. Our experienced lawyers provide practical advice on grant applications, funding agreements, and tenders to ensure compliance and protect your organisation.

1

Grant Application and Guideline Review

We provide expert legal advice before you apply for a government grant. Our team reviews the Grant Opportunity Guidelines, your organisation’s eligibility, and any internal constitutional requirements to ensure your application is compliant from the start.

2

Funding Agreement Negotiation and Advice

Our lawyers meticulously review and advise on the terms and conditions of government funding agreements, such as the Commonwealth Simple Grant Agreement. We help you understand all obligations, including reporting, IP, and privacy requirements, before you sign.

3

Tender Preparation and Contract Review

We offer strategic support for NFPs participating in government tenders. Our services include reviewing tender documents and preparing compliant submissions. We also negotiate the final government contract to ensure the terms are fair and protect your organisation’s interests.

4

Ongoing Grant Compliance and Management

We provide ongoing legal support to help your NFP comply with all grant conditions. Our advice covers record keeping, managing unspent funds, and navigating termination clauses, helping you avoid breaches and protect your reputation with grant-makers.

What Our Clients Say

Our clients trust LawBridge to provide clear, reliable & practical legal support.

100% Obligation-Free

Contact Our Expert Government Funding Agreement Lawyers

Our Tailored Approach to Government Funding Agreements

Our approach is centred on delivering practical legal solutions that empower your not-for-profit to confidently secure government funding, navigate complex agreements, and manage compliance while staying focused on your mission.

Understanding Your Funding Needs

We begin by gaining a thorough understanding of your NFP’s mission, the project you are seeking funding for, and your organisational capacity. This foundational step allows us to provide tailored legal advice on grant eligibility and the strategic implications of accepting government funds.

Developing a Strategic Compliance Framework

Our approach focuses on creating a clear, practical framework for your grant or tender application. We consider the specific Grant Opportunity Guidelines and contract terms to develop a strategy that ensures your application is compliant and your obligations are manageable.

Implementation and Agreement Management

We assist with the hands-on implementation of your funding agreement, from negotiating key terms to advising on reporting and record-keeping requirements. Our support helps your organisation maintain full compliance, manage risks, and build a strong relationship with the funding body.

Why Choose LawBridge for Your Government Funding Agreements

Choosing the right legal partner is essential for successfully navigating government funding processes. LawBridge Lawyers & Consultants provides expert, tailored support to help charities and NFPs secure grants and manage complex agreements with confidence.

Experienced Government Agreement Lawyers

Our team brings extensive legal expertise to all aspects of government funding. We provide strategic advice on grant applications, tender submissions, and negotiating complex Commonwealth and State funding agreements to protect your interests.

Deep Understanding of Grant Requirements

LawBridge Lawyers & Consultants offers deep insight into the regulatory landscape of government grants. We stay current on Grant Opportunity Guidelines and standard agreement terms, enabling us to offer practical legal advice that ensures your compliance.

Client-Focused and Pragmatic Solutions

We work closely with NFPs to provide practical legal support that aligns with your mission. Our solutions for managing government grants are clear and effective, designed to help you meet your obligations while you focus on delivering your funded project.

100% Obligation-Free

Consult with Our Specialist NFP Grant Agreement Legal Team

Team

Meet Our Dedicated NFP & Charity Law Team

The LawBridge team includes dedicated not-for-profit lawyers focused on providing exceptional legal support to charities and not-for-profit organisations. We understand the unique operational environment and legal complexities faced by the NFP sector.

Comprehensive Not-for-Profit & Charity Law Services

LawBridge offers a comprehensive suite of legal services tailored to the specific needs of the not-for-profit (NFP) and charity sector. 

NFP Governance & ACNC Compliance

Strengthen governance and meet ACNC requirements with legal advice on board duties, reporting, and regulatory obligations.

NFP Employment & Workplace

Navigate employment law confidently with guidance on hiring, contracts, workplace policies, disputes, and regulatory compliance.

Government Funding Agreements for NFPs

Understand and manage government funding contracts with legal support for obligations, compliance, and risk mitigation.

NFP Tax Concessions & DGR

Clear guidance on securing tax concessions and DGR status, with support for eligibility, applications, and compliance.

Charity Fundraising, Donations & Sponsors

Ensure your fundraising activities meet legal standards with advice on compliance, donor agreements, and fundraising regulations.

NFP & Charity Set-Up

Start strong with legal guidance on structure, registration, charitable status, and long-term compliance planning.

Charity Disputes & ACNC Investigations

Resolve internal and external disputes and respond to investigations with expert legal support tailored to charitable organisations.

NFP Mergers, Corporate Restructuring & Collaborations

Strategic legal advice for mergers, restructures, and partnerships that align with your mission and regulatory obligations.

NFP Intellectual Property

Protect your brand, content, and innovations with legal advice on trademarks, copyright, licensing, and IP strategy.

Property Lawyers for NFPs

Expert legal support for leasing, acquiring, and managing property assets aligned with your charitable objectives.

Charitable Trust & Foundations

Expert support for establishing and managing trusts and foundations, ensuring compliance, governance, and long-term charitable impact.

Social Enterprise for NFPs

Build sustainable impact with legal advice on hybrid models, income generation, governance, and regulatory compliance.

100% Obligation-Free

Speak with Our Experienced NFP Tender Lawyers

Understanding Government Grant Agreements

When your not-for-profit organisation receives government funding, you will enter into a legally binding funding agreement. These documents, like the Commonwealth Simple Grant Agreement, set out strict terms and conditions for how the grant money must be used, managed, and reported on.
It is crucial to understand these legal obligations before signing. Our government funding agreement lawyers provide expert legal advice, reviewing the terms to ensure they are consistent with your organisation’s goals and capacity.

Close-up of hands signing NSW building contract.

Key Terms in a Commonwealth Grant Agreement

Government grant agreements contain many important clauses that your NFP must comply with. These often include specific requirements for record keeping, financial reporting, insurance, privacy, and the ownership of intellectual property created during the funded project.
These agreements also have strict clauses regarding termination, cancellation, and the repayment of unspent funds. We provide the essential legal help to interpret these complex terms, ensuring your organisation understands its rights and responsibilities.

Legal Support for Government Tenders

Responding to a government tender is a competitive and legally intensive process for any charity or social enterprise. It requires a comprehensive submission that not only meets the tender’s requirements but is also legally compliant.
A well-prepared tender can secure significant, long-term funding for your mission. As your trusted legal partner, we provide tender legal advice, assisting with the review of tender documents and the negotiation of the final government contract to protect your interests.

The Importance of Compliance in Grant Management

Failure to comply with the conditions of a grant agreement can be considered a breach of contract. This can have serious consequences for your not-for-profit, including the requirement to repay funds, the termination of future payments, and damage to your reputation with grant-makers.
Maintaining compliance is a key legal issue throughout the life of the grant. Our legal service provides ongoing support to help your charity meet its reporting milestones and manage its obligations, safeguarding your funding and future opportunities.

Insights

Tap into LawBridge Insights & Updates

Stay informed with our latest thinking on legal developments, commercial challenges, and opportunities across the sectors we serve.

100% Obligation-Free

Connect with Our Expert Government Grant Compliance Lawyers

Frequently Asked Questions About Government Funding & Grants

LawBridge supports not-for-profits with clear funding agreement guidance. Explore answers to common questions about government contracts, obligations, and compliance risks.

What is a government funding agreement?

A government funding agreement is a legally binding contract between a government body (e.g., a Commonwealth or State agency) and your not-for-profit organisation. It sets out the terms and conditions under which you will receive and use grant money.

It is a standard template used by Australian Government entities for low-risk grants with simple terms. It is not a single document but a suite of documents, including Grant Details and General Grant Conditions, that together form the full agreement.

These are documents set out for each government grant opportunity that detail the requirements for the application. Your organisation must read and understand these guidelines before applying for any grant.

While many government templates have standard, non-negotiable terms, there may be opportunities to negotiate specific details like activity milestones, key performance indicators (KPIs), and reporting dates before signing the agreement.

Key terms to review carefully include reporting obligations and deadlines, record-keeping requirements, insurance and indemnity clauses, intellectual property rights, and the government’s rights to terminate or cancel the agreement.

Failure to comply is a breach of contract and can have serious consequences. The government may stop further payments, require you to repay the grant money, and it could damage your reputation and eligibility for future funding.

A grant is typically funding provided for a specific project or purpose outlined by the applicant. A tender is a competitive process where organisations bid to provide specific goods or services requested by the government, usually resulting in a service contract.

Yes. Grant agreements typically require your organisation to repay any grant money that has not been spent in accordance with the agreement by the end of the project or at the date of any termination.

You must keep adequate and accurate records of how all grant money was received and spent. This is critical to demonstrate that the funds have been used in accordance with the agreement, especially for acquittals and audits.

A lawyer can help you understand the complex terms and legal obligations before you sign, negotiate key details where possible, and ensure you have processes in place to maintain compliance, protecting your organisation from risk and potential breaches.

100% Obligation-Free

Speak with Our Experienced NFP Tender Lawyers