Deadline: 31-Oct-2026
The Community Assistance Grants programme supports not-for-profit community organisations to deliver local activities, events, and programs. Funding is available through two rounds each financial year, with financial and in-kind support capped at a maximum of $5,000. Priority is given to eligible organisations that did not receive funding in the previous financial year.
Overview
The Community Assistance Grants programme is currently accepting applications from not-for-profit community organisations.
The programme supports local activities, events, and programs that benefit the community.
It is designed to broaden access to funding and ensure that available support reaches a wider range of eligible community organisations.
Key Focus Areas
The Community Assistance Grants programme focuses on local community support and fair access to funding.
Key focus areas include:
- Support for not-for-profit community organisations
- Local activities, events, and programs
- Equitable access to funding
- Priority for groups not funded in the previous financial year
- Exclusion of organisations receiving regular government funding
- Financial and in-kind support
- Formal grant agreements
- Grant acquittal requirements
- Council acknowledgment in promotional materials
- Fair assessment across funding rounds
- Compliance with application procedures and deadlines
Purpose of the Programme
The purpose of the Community Assistance Grants programme is to help not-for-profit community organisations deliver activities that benefit the local area.
The programme provides financial and in-kind support to eligible organisations while promoting fair distribution of funding.
Recent policy changes aim to ensure that more organisations have the opportunity to receive community assistance funding.
Funding Amount
Financial and in-kind support is capped at a maximum of $5,000.
Applicants should prepare a clear and realistic request that is directly linked to the proposed activity, event, or program.
Funding Rounds
The programme offers grants through two funding rounds each financial year.
Applications must be submitted within the correct funding round and must align with the relevant activity period.
Late applications are not considered in the current round.
They may only be reviewed in the next funding cycle if the proposed activity still aligns with the relevant funding period.
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility is restricted to not-for-profit community organisations.
Eligible organisations must:
- Be not-for-profit community organisations
- Deliver local activities, events, or programs
- Not receive regular government funding
- Submit the official Community Assistance Grant Application Form
- Provide all required supporting information
- Comply with application procedures and deadlines
Priority Applicants
Priority is given to organisations that did not receive funding in the previous financial year.
Organisations that previously received a Community Assistance Grant may still apply.
However, their applications will only be considered after priority assessment is given to eligible organisations that did not receive funding in the previous financial year.
Who is Not Eligible?
The programme does not support organisations that receive regular government funding.
Retrospective funding requests are also not accepted.
This means applicants cannot request funding for activities, events, programs, or costs that have already occurred.
Application Requirements
Applications must be submitted using the official Community Assistance Grant Application Form.
Applicants must include all required supporting information.
A complete application should clearly explain:
- The organisation’s not-for-profit status
- The proposed activity, event, or program
- The local community benefit
- The amount of financial or in-kind support requested
- The project timeline
- Any supporting information required by the Council
Conditions for Successful Applicants
Successful applicants must enter into a formal agreement with the Council.
The agreement will outline the grant conditions and responsibilities of the funded organisation.
Successful applicants must also:
- Acknowledge Council support in promotional materials
- Use the Council logo where applicable
- Follow the conditions in the formal agreement
- Deliver the approved activity as proposed
- Provide acquittal information after the project is completed
Accountability and Acquittal
Grant recipients are required to provide acquittal information upon completion of the funded project.
The acquittal process helps confirm that funds or in-kind support were used for the approved purpose.
It also supports transparency, accountability, and fair management of public funding.
What the Grant Can Support
The programme can support local community-focused activities delivered by eligible not-for-profit organisations.
Supported activities may include:
- Local community events
- Community programs
- Small activities that benefit residents
- Local participation initiatives
- Community support projects
- Activities that strengthen local connection
- Projects that respond to community needs
Applicants should ensure that the proposed activity fits within the relevant funding period and does not involve retrospective costs.
Why It Matters
Small grants can make a meaningful difference for local community organisations.
Many not-for-profit groups need modest support to deliver activities, events, and programs that bring people together and strengthen community life.
The Community Assistance Grants programme matters because it promotes fairer access to funding and helps ensure support is available to a broader range of organisations.
By prioritising groups that did not receive funding in the previous financial year, the programme helps distribute resources more equitably across the local community.
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should prepare a complete application that clearly explains their organisation, proposed activity, community benefit, and funding request.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Applicants should confirm that they are a not-for-profit community organisation and do not receive regular government funding.
They should also check whether they received a Community Assistance Grant in the previous financial year, as this may affect assessment priority.
Step 2: Use the Official Application Form
Applications must be submitted using the official Community Assistance Grant Application Form.
Applicants should make sure every section of the form is completed accurately.
Step 3: Provide Supporting Information
Applicants should include all required supporting information.
This may include details about the organisation, proposed activity, expected community benefit, budget, and timing.
Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline
Applications must be submitted by the relevant deadline.
Late applications will not be considered in the current round and may only be reviewed in the next funding cycle if the activity aligns with that period.
Step 5: Avoid Retrospective Requests
Applicants should not apply for costs or activities that have already occurred.
The programme does not accept retrospective funding requests.
Step 6: Prepare for Grant Conditions
Successful applicants should be ready to sign a formal agreement with the Council, acknowledge Council support, and provide acquittal information after completing the project.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid errors that may reduce the strength or eligibility of their application.
Common mistakes include:
- Applying as an organisation that receives regular government funding
- Submitting a late application
- Requesting retrospective funding
- Not using the official application form
- Leaving out required supporting information
- Not clearly explaining the local community benefit
- Requesting support above the $5,000 cap
- Not acknowledging previous grant history
- Failing to understand Council agreement requirements
- Not preparing for acquittal reporting
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should be clear, complete, and community-focused.
Useful tips include:
- Clearly describe the activity, event, or program.
- Explain how the local community will benefit.
- Keep the funding request within the $5,000 cap.
- Submit all required supporting information.
- Apply before the deadline.
- Avoid retrospective costs.
- Show that the organisation is not-for-profit.
- Explain why the support is needed.
- Be prepared to acknowledge Council support.
- Plan ahead for acquittal requirements.
FAQ
1. What is the Community Assistance Grants programme?
It is a grant programme that supports not-for-profit community organisations to deliver local activities, events, and programs.
2. How much funding is available?
Financial and in-kind support is capped at a maximum of $5,000.
3. How many funding rounds are offered?
The programme offers two funding rounds each financial year.
4. Who can apply?
Not-for-profit community organisations that do not receive regular government funding may apply.
5. Are previous grant recipients eligible?
Yes. Organisations that previously received a Community Assistance Grant may apply, but priority is given first to organisations that did not receive funding in the previous financial year.
6. Are late applications accepted?
Late applications are not considered in the current round. They may only be reviewed in the next funding cycle if the proposed activity aligns with that funding period.
7. Is retrospective funding allowed?
No. Retrospective funding requests are not accepted.
Conclusion
The Community Assistance Grants programme provides practical support for not-for-profit community organisations delivering local activities, events, and programs.
With financial and in-kind support capped at $5,000 and two funding rounds each financial year, the programme aims to broaden access to community funding and prioritise organisations that did not receive support in the previous financial year. Strong applications should be complete, submitted on time, use the official form, demonstrate clear community benefit, comply with eligibility rules, and show readiness to meet agreement and acquittal requirements.
For more information, visit Broken Hill City Council.
