Recreation Assistance Grant Program – Australia

Deadline: 17-Mar-25

The Mildura Rural City Council is currently accepting applications for the Recreation Assistance Grant Program.

The Mildura Rural City Council Recreation grants provides $229,000 annually to assist recreation groups to undertake projects that encourage leisure initiatives to increase participation in sport and recreation activities or increase access to a diverse range of quality sporting and recreation facilities and programs.

Grant Categories

• Club Support Grant (Up to $2,000) 
  • Objective
    • Through this program they aim to fund projects or programs that are targeted at increasing participation in sport and recreation. Note: For this grant a funding ratio waiver is available to those clubs whose project is improving accessibility for marginalised groups.
  • Potential projects 
    • Projects that provide support to new and developing sporting competitions.
    • Projects that have not been tried before (i.e. a modified program to attract more members).
    • A program that targets a specific population group.
    • Purchase of modified equipment.
    • The purchase of safety equipment.
    • Purchase of new grounds maintenance equipment.
    • Changes required to introduce healthy eating choices at clubs (not for the purchase of food/drinks etc.).
    • Changes required to support the introduction of a smoke free environment at clubs and facilities.
  • What will not be funded? 
    • Re-current or ongoing funding from Council is needed.
    • Your project is eligible for funding under another government or statutory body.
    • The request for funding is for a maintenance project, club administration costs, repair of equipment or payment of utilities (rent, power, telephone etc.).
    • Your project has been funded through this grant program previously.
    • Your project has commenced or will commence before the grant funding is announced (they do not fund in retrospect).
• Recreation Planning Grant (Up to $19,000) 
  • Objective
    • Through this program they aim to fund planning works that are aimed at increasing participation in sport and recreation and/or ensuring the community has access to a diverse range of quality sporting and recreation facilities, programs and opportunities.
  • Potential projects 
    • Planning initiatives that address the future sport and recreation needs of the club/Association.
    • Strategic Plan.
    • Business plan.
    • Facility plan.
    • Feasibility study.
    • Detailed design work on facility improvement.
  • What will not be funded? 
    • Re-current or ongoing funding from Council is needed.
    • Your project is eligible for funding under another government or statutory body.
    • Your project has been funded through this grant program previously.
    • Your project has commenced or will commence before the grant funding is announced (they do not fund in retrospect).
    • You wish to fund the costs associated with preparing a grant application and/or the sourcing of quotes.
    • Projects funded under the Recreation Planning Grant cannot utilise in-kind contributions.
• Minor and Major Facility Upgrade Grant (Minor: Up to $20,000  and Major: $30,001 – $50,000)
  • Objective
    • Through the Facility Upgrade Grant schemes, they aim to fund infrastructure projects that will increase participation in sport and recreation and/or ensuring the community has access to a diverse range of quality sporting and recreation facilities, programs and opportunities.
  • Potential projects 
    • Sports and surface development, replacement or upgrade.
    • Safety improvements.
    • Lighting upgrades.
    • Accessibility upgrades.
    • Upgrades to support gender equity.
    • Shade for participants and spectators.
    • Building construction.
    • Building Upgrade.
  • What will not be funded? 
    • Re-current or ongoing funding from Council is needed.
    • Your project is better suited and eligible for funding under another government or statutory body. This is at the discretion of the Recreation Development Coordinator.
    • Projects proposing to install or upgrade assets or infrastructure which is located on property owned privately or by a public company will not be eligible.
    • The request for funding is for a maintenance project, club administration costs, repair of equipment, purchase of equipment such as tractors, mowers and sporting goods which are not a permanent fixture of the facility and/or the payment of utilities (rent, power, telephone etc.)
    • Your project has been funded through this grant program previously.

Who can apply? 

• To be eligible to apply for a Recreation grant you must:
  • Be a not-for-profit organisation/group and Incorporated Body (or be auspiced by one).
  • Have Public Liability Insurance to the minimum of $10 million.
  • Be based within the Mildura Rural City Council Local Government Area and/or provide services and programs within these boundaries (or propose to).

Eligibility Criteria

• Recreation groups will only be eligible for funding if they can meet the following criteria. You will be required to confirm eligibility during your application.
  • The project takes place within Mildura Rural City Council and is for the benefit of its residents.
  • Your group has contacted a Recreation Officer to discuss your grant application. You will need to list the contact officer’s name.
  • Your group is an incorporated ‘not–for-profit’ organisation with an Australian Business Number, OR auspice by one.
  • Your group must supply Land Owners Consent from the property owner/s (Including Mildura Rural City Council property).
  • The project does not require an ongoing commitment of funds from Council.
  • The project is not considered to be routine/cyclical maintenance works.
  • The project must be completed within 12 months of notification of funding success.
  • Your group can provide contribution towards the project on a $1 for $2 ratio (Council $2: Group $1), by way of cash or in-kind support.
  • The funding is not deemed the responsibility of State and/or Federal Government.
  • You have read the Recreation Grant Guidelines.
  • Your organisation has no outstanding debts to Council, or has acquitted all previous grants or sponsorship to the satisfaction of Council.
  • Your organisation does not gain a direct financial benefit from the income generated through gambling activities.
  • Members of a Recreation Group applying for a grant must disclose, in writing any perceived and/or conflict of interest.
  • Organisations cannot obtain funding in more than one of the minor or major infrastructure category in the same grant round.

For more information, visit Mildura Rural City Council.