Variety Heart Scholarships

Variety provides scholarships to children with an existing talent living with disabilities, chronic illness or financial hardship to achieve their full potential and to follow their dreams.

Applications for Variety Heart Scholarships will open on 1 May 2024 at 9am and close on 31 May 2024 at 5pm. 

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Variety Heart Scholarships support school-age children to reach their full potential in the arts and sport. Our scholarships are open to young people aged 6 – 18 years and help children who face financial or physical barriers fulfil their dreams. This could include assisting with tuition fees, personal development, coaching, training equipment, travel or accommodation.

No field of the arts or sport is too large or too small to be considered. All that is needed to apply is a young person who is proficient in their field and shows passion and commitment to achieve a long-term aspirational goal.

The Variety Heart Scholarships are made possible by our presenting partner The Grahame Mapp Family Foundation, in honor of the late Gillian Mapp:

Frequently Asked Questions

The Variety Heart Scholarship is designed to support children with a demonstrated talent who are living with a disability, chronic illness or financial hardship, to reach the next stage of development in their area of talent.

Variety Heart Scholarships are proudly presented by the Grahame Mapp Family Foundation in honour of the late Gillian Mapp.

Applicants must be:

  • Aged 6 to 18 years;
  • Residents of NSW or ACT; and
  • Have a demonstrated talent in one of these areas; The Arts or Sport.

Please note:  The Variety Heart Scholarship is a highly competitive grant. Applicants must be able to demonstrate existing talent and success in the form of awards, state/national/international competition or other forms of recognition.  Applications that cannot provide evidence of existing talent will not be put forward to the committee.

First and foremost, an applicant must meet all eligibility requirements. In addition to reviewing each applicant based on their own merit we will also look for the following:

  • Clear concise information. Define exactly what the child requires and why
  • Correct legible attachments
  • Support letters from an appropriate professional person that directly discuss and focus on the child’s talent and clearly stipulate what achievements they have attained

If the application is not clear and/or doesn’t include requested information or attachments it may be declined.

We strongly recommend speaking to your support professionals, caseworkers, teachers, family/friends etc. to assist you during the process. If you require any further support or clarification please contact the Kids Support Team on [email protected] or at 9819 1000. Please note the Kids Support Team cannot submit an application on your behalf.

A demonstrated talent is one which has developed over time and can be identified by a child’s achievements and verified by professionals in that area of talent.

Yes, previous recipients who also meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply again for consideration.

Once submitted, all applications are pre-assessed by the Kids Support Team to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. Then, all eligible applications are considered by the Variety Heart Scholarships Committee. This committee is made up of experts in areas of The Arts, Sport, Education and Medical and each application is assessed on its own merit. All decisions are at the discretion of this Committee.

If applying under Funding Option A. Financial Hardship:

  • Proof of household income (i.e. payslips, ATO Notice of assessment, Centrelink statements etc.); and
  • Support Letter from a professional person directly related to the child’s talent.

If applying under Funding Option B. Disability or Chronic Illness:

  • Proof of household income (i.e. payslips, ATO Notice of assessment, Centrelink statements etc.); and
  • Support Letter from a professional person directly related to the child’s talent
  • Diagnosis letter from GP/Paediatrician addressing the child’s diagnosis/disability.

Please note this is an overview of the documents required – for more information click here for the Guidelines

For an example of a support letter, click here.

The purpose of the support letter is to provide evidence and acknowledgment of the child’s talent. The Committee relies heavily on this document when reviewing applications.

This professional person needs to confidently address the child’s talent and so must be directly related to the area of talent and should know the child and their achievements.

Here are examples of appropriate support people under each area of talent:

  • THE ARTS…….. Dance, Art or Music Tutors/Teachers
  • SPORT………….. Coaches, Sporting Organisations

The aim of the Variety Heart Scholarships is to assist kids with reaching their full potential in their area of talent, where they might not otherwise be afforded the opportunity to do so.

A maximum monthly household income has been set to ensure we are reaching these families.

At Variety we appreciate that there can be additional financial responsibilities and costs when a child is diagnosed with a disability or a chronic illness and for this reason have set different income limitations for option A and B.

In addition to the household income, we will review all aspects of an application and take this into consideration in the assessment process.

Variety pays suppliers directly on invoice or reimburses recipient via online submission of receipts.

Variety Heart Scholarships can fund:

  • Training
  • Entry/Competition
  • Lessons
  • Courses
  • Equipment
  • Registration Costs
  • Uniforms
  • Airfares (for the child only, to and from appropriate events related to the Scholarship e.g.: competition)
  • Accommodation (e.g.: basic/standard hotel room for the child and Parent/Carer to attend competition)
  • Fuel (receipt must be legible, we cannot accept eftpos receipts. This is for travel to and from appropriate events related to the scholarship e.g. competition).

Approved recipients will be invited to a presentation night which will occur mid to late July. This exciting night is a special time to celebrate the successful recipients with all the fan fair of fun and games!

This year, applications open 9am Monday 1st May 2023 and close 5pm Wednesday 31st May 2023. All applicants will receive an outcome via email before the end of July 2023

For more information, please refer to the Variety Heart Scholarship Guidelines.

We are here to help so please call and ask to speak to one of our friendly Kids Support Coordinators on 02 9819 1000 or email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Some of the previous recipients have gone on to represent Australia on the world stage, whilst others have simply needed help to reach the next stage of development in their talent. Scroll down to read some of their stories.

What have past Variety Heart Scholarship recipients been up to?

For more information

If you have any questions the team is here to help. You are always welcome to contact our Kids Support team directly by email or call 02 9819 1000.

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Click here to find out more ways we help families and organisations.

Presenting Partner