Call for Applications: Community Growth Grant (Australia)

The Shire of Northam’s Community Growth Grant provides $2,001 to $10,000 (excluding GST) to incorporated not-for-profit community groups and sporting clubs for projects that strengthen social wellbeing, organisational capacity, community development, and sustainability. Eligible projects can include strategic planning, feasibility studies, building upgrades, training, organisational development, and major community events, with projects required to benefit residents of the Shire of Northam.

What Is the Community Growth Grant?

The Community Growth Grant is part of the Shire of Northam’s Community Grants Program in Western Australia. It supports local not-for-profit organisations undertaking projects that contribute to the social wellbeing, development, sustainability, and resilience of the Northam community.

The grant is intended for projects that create lasting community benefits rather than routine organisational activities. Funding can help community groups and sporting clubs strengthen their operations, improve facilities, develop their organisations, and deliver significant projects or events.

Community Growth Grant Funding

Eligible applicants can request grants within the following range:

• Minimum grant: $2,001 excluding GST
• Maximum grant: $10,000 excluding GST
• Upfront payment: 90% of the approved funding
• Final payment: 10% following project completion and acquittal
• Project completion period: Within 18 months of receiving the grant

Applicants should ensure that their proposed budget clearly demonstrates how the requested funding will contribute to the project’s outcomes.

What Projects Can the Grant Support?

The Community Growth Grant supports a range of strategic and community-focused activities.

Eligible projects may include:

• Development or implementation of strategic plans
• Feasibility studies
• Building upgrades or maintenance
• Training and professional development for committee members
• Training for club officials
• Organisational development initiatives
• Capacity-building activities for community groups
• Development projects for local sporting clubs
• Major community projects
• Major events that are accessible to the wider Shire community

Projects should demonstrate a clear benefit to local residents and contribute to the long-term development or sustainability of the organisation or community.

Why Does the Community Growth Grant Matter?

Community organisations and sporting clubs often play an important role in creating connected, active, and resilient communities but may have limited resources for strategic development or larger projects.

The Community Growth Grant can help local organisations:

• Improve organisational capacity
• Strengthen governance and planning
• Develop sustainable community services
• Improve community facilities
• Build the skills of volunteers and committee members
• Support local sporting development
• Deliver major community events
• Address identified community needs
• Create benefits for residents across the Shire

By supporting both organisational development and community projects, the program aims to strengthen the long-term sustainability of local community organisations.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must generally meet the following requirements:

• Be an incorporated not-for-profit community group or sporting club.
• Operate within the Shire of Northam.
• Propose a project that benefits residents of the Shire.
• Make the project available to the whole community or an identified target group.

Organisations that are not based in the Shire may be able to apply through an auspice arrangement with a local incorporated organisation.

An auspice arrangement allows an eligible incorporated organisation to formally support an organisation that does not independently meet the incorporation requirements.

Eligible Community Beneficiaries

Projects should provide meaningful benefits to people living in the Shire of Northam.

The proposed activity may benefit:

• The wider community
• Local community groups
• Sporting participants
• Volunteers
• Specific community or target groups
• People who would benefit from improved local facilities or services

Applicants should clearly explain who will benefit and how the project will create measurable or lasting value.

What Costs and Activities Should Applicants Consider?

Applicants should develop a realistic project budget and identify the costs necessary to deliver the proposed activity.

Depending on the project, funding may contribute to activities such as:

• Strategic planning
• Feasibility work
• Facility improvements
• Organisational development
• Professional development
• Committee and volunteer training
• Community project delivery
• Major event-related activities

Applicants should check the current grant guidelines carefully to confirm whether individual expenditure items are eligible before including them in the budget.

Required Application Documents

Applicants are expected to provide supporting documentation with their application.

This may include:

• Completed application form
• Detailed project budget
• Required quotations
• Certificate of incorporation
• Public liability insurance documentation, where applicable
• Other supporting evidence relevant to the proposed project

Quotes and supporting documents should be clear and current so the Shire can assess whether the proposed costs are reasonable.

How to Apply

Applicants can follow these steps when preparing their Community Growth Grant application:

1. Confirm eligibility
   Check that the organisation meets the incorporation, location, not-for-profit, and community-benefit requirements.
2. Define the project
   Clearly explain what the organisation wants to achieve and why the project is needed.
3. Identify community benefits
   Describe how the project will improve social wellbeing, development, sustainability, participation, or organisational capacity.
4. Prepare a detailed budget
   List expected project costs and identify the amount being requested from the Shire.
5. Obtain quotations
   Gather any required quotes and supporting evidence for proposed expenditure.
6. Prepare supporting documents
   Include incorporation documents, insurance information, and other required attachments.
7. Submit the application before the deadline
   Late applications are not considered, so applicants should allow sufficient time to complete and review their submission.

Funding Conditions

Successful applicants should be aware of several important conditions.

• Projects must be completed within 18 months of receiving the grant.
• 90% of approved funding can be claimed upfront.
• The remaining 10% is released after project completion and acquittal.
• The project must benefit residents of the Shire of Northam.
• Applications must contain the required supporting documentation.
• Late applications will not be considered.
• Projects that have already received Shire funding during the same financial year are not eligible.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants can strengthen their submissions by avoiding common application problems.

• Submitting after the deadline: Late applications are not considered.
• Providing an unclear budget: Explain each major expense and support costs with required quotes.
• Failing to demonstrate local benefit: Clearly identify who in the Shire will benefit.
• Ignoring eligibility requirements: Confirm incorporation, location, not-for-profit status, and other requirements before applying.
• Requesting funding for an already funded project: Projects that have received Shire funding during the same financial year are ineligible.
• Leaving out supporting documents: Missing incorporation, insurance, quotes, or other required documentation can weaken an application.
• Not explaining long-term impact: Where appropriate, show how the project will improve organisational sustainability or provide lasting community benefits.

Key Details at a Glance

• Program: Community Growth Grant
• Funder: Shire of Northam
• Location: Shire of Northam, Western Australia
• Eligible applicants: Incorporated not-for-profit community groups and sporting clubs
• Grant amount: $2,001–$10,000 excluding GST
• Upfront funding: 90%
• Final funding: 10% after completion and acquittal
• Project duration: Up to 18 months
• Eligible focus: Community development, organisational capacity, sustainability, strategic projects, facilities, training, and major community events
• Late applications: Not accepted

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Community Growth Grant?

The Community Growth Grant is a Shire of Northam funding opportunity supporting incorporated not-for-profit community groups and sporting clubs to deliver projects that improve community wellbeing, development, organisational capacity, and sustainability.

How much funding is available?

Applicants can request between $2,001 and $10,000 excluding GST. Ninety per cent of approved funding is available upfront, while the remaining 10% is released after project completion and acquittal.

Who can apply for the grant?

Incorporated not-for-profit community groups and sporting clubs operating within the Shire of Northam can apply. Organisations outside the Shire may be eligible if they apply through an appropriate local incorporated auspice organisation.

What types of projects are supported?

Eligible projects can include strategic planning, feasibility studies, building upgrades or maintenance, committee and club official training, professional development, organisational development, major community projects, and major events accessible to the Shire community.

How long do funded projects have to be completed?

Successful projects must be completed within 18 months of receiving the grant.

What documents are required with the application?

Applicants should provide a completed application, detailed budget, required quotations, and relevant supporting documents such as a certificate of incorporation and public liability insurance where applicable.

Can an organisation apply for a project that has already received Shire funding?

No. Projects that have already received Shire funding during the same financial year are not eligible for this grant.

Conclusion

The Shire of Northam Community Growth Grant offers an opportunity for local not-for-profit community groups and sporting clubs to invest in projects that strengthen community wellbeing, organisational capacity, and long-term sustainability. With grants of $2,001 to $10,000, the program can support strategic planning, facility improvements, training, organisational development, and major community initiatives that deliver clear benefits to Northam residents. Applicants should prepare a strong project plan, realistic budget, supporting documentation, and clear evidence of community benefit before submitting their application.