Call for Applications: Community Funding Scheme – Australia

Deadline: 5-Jun-23

Are you a community group or organisation interested in applying for funding? Applications for Community Funding Scheme are now open.

The Community Funding Scheme grants public money to not-for-profit community groups for projects and initiatives that benefit residents of the Macedon Ranges.

Objectives

• The objective of the program is to support projects and activities that align with the priorities of the 2021-2031 Council Plan, specifically:
  • Connecting communities; and
  • Healthy environment, healthy people

Aim

• The aim of the Community Funding Scheme is to support initiatives which:
  • address local needs
  • strengthen community relationships/partnerships
  • encourage participation in civic life
  • demonstrate a commitment to gender equity, accessibility, diversity, fairness and community wellbeing

Funding Information

• The Community Funding Scheme grants budget for 2023/24 is a total of $160,000.
• There are three categories of grants that groups can apply for, these include:
  • Funding categories – Community Funding Scheme
    • Community, Cultural and Environmental Projects
      • Maximum funding/project: Grants Up to $10,000
    • Organisational Support
      • Maximum funding/project: Grants Up to $5,000
    • Small Community Infrastructure
      • Maximum funding/project: Grants Up to $12,000

Ineligible Funding

• Projects or activities which:
  • have already commenced, are recurrent or have been completed
  • are commercial, religious, political, discriminatory, sexist, racist or disrespectful
  • are considered fundraising/asking for donations1
  • intend to raise funds beyond what is needed to deliver the project and aim to boost general operating profits
  • are the funding responsibility of state or federal government
  • promote or involve gambling-related activities
  • do not support responsible drinking
  • involve capital works on private property
  • are defined as facility maintenance on community and Council-owned buildings2
  • fund capital expenditure (the purchase of land, buildings, vehicles)
  • award monetary prizes
  • are recreational excursions (camps, holidays, tours)
  • duplicate services already operating or planned for in a targeted community
  • have been previously funded by Council
  • are not well supported by evidence of need and where alternative solutions have not been adequately considered
  • do not have broad support amongst the community
  • have not been adequately master planned or equivalent (for larger construction projects)
  • do not have appropriate heritage sign-off, including Aboriginal cultural management (where required)
  • are eligible for Council’s Events and Festivals grants.
  • Core business/operational costs such as:
  • salaries for ongoing positions
  • rent, insurance, utility costs, debts
  • conducting an annual general meeting

Eligibility Criteria

• Incorporated and community-based not-for-profit groups operating or being established in the Macedon Ranges are eligible to apply for the Community Funding Scheme. Up to a maximum of two grants may be allocated per organisation per funding round.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Individuals
• Political organisations
• For profit/commercial organisations
• Government agencies/organisations
• Groups that are in debt to Council
• Groups that have not completed the acquittal and reporting requirements of previous Council grants

For more information, visit Macedon Ranges Shire Council.