Community programs

EconoLease is part of our parent company SilverChef Group’s global Community Program. It comprises Community-Equip, a discounted finance product specifically for not-for-profit community groups; and Community Grants, where we provide grants to community organizations, with a total value of $20,000 per quarter.

The figures below show the status of our grants program as of the end of our 2024 financial year (ending June 30, 2024).

Who's eligible?

The SilverChef Group Community Grants Program is open to registered charities and not-for-profits that use hospitality or food service to support disadvantaged communities. Four grants worth $5,000 each are awarded each quarter globally. To be eligible, applicants should receive limited funding from other sources, have a clear and specific need for commercial kitchen equipment, and have been a registered charity or NFP for a minimum of 12 months.

What can the grant be used for?

Each $5,000 grant is a 75:25 mix of equipment and cash, as follows:

Equipment

The majority of the grant is provided in the form of credit to spend on Certified Used commercial kitchen equipment advertised on EconoLease’s website. Of the total grant value of $5,000, a minimum of $3,750 (75%) must be redeemed against equipment.

Cash

Once the grant recipient has selected their equipment, they can have the outstanding portion of the grant in cash, up to a maximum of $1,250. This can be used to help towards the cost of freight, installation and raw materials (e.g. coffee beans).

When can I apply?

Each quarter we award four grants of $5,000 each. The four funding rounds occur as follows:

Round 1: Applications open 1 July - 30 September

Round 2: Applications open 1 October - 31 December

Round 3: Applications open 1 January - 31 March

Round 4: Applications open 1 April - 30 June

What next?

After you submit your grant application, we’ll assess it against our selection criteria, including how your initiative will positively impact your local community.

If your application is successful, we’ll contact you within one month of applications closing (see dates at left). Unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted.

We’ll then give you expert advice so you can select the Certified Used equipment best suited to your organization’s needs. 

When we notify you that your application is successful, we need to hear from you within 30 days or the grant will be allocated to the next applicant on the shortlist. Once you’ve accepted the grant, you have 12 months to fully redeem it.

Apply now

To apply for a grant, please go to the link below, complete and submit the application form to us.

Application form