Open Call: Community Impact Grant Program (Australia)

The Mackay Regional Council Community Impact Grant Program provides up to $10,000 (excluding GST) to eligible local not-for-profit organisations and community groups for projects that improve community wellbeing and participation. Funding supports initiatives focused on safe spaces, arts and culture, inclusion, multiculturalism, heritage, health and wellbeing, and organisational capacity across the Mackay Regional Council area.

About the Community Impact Grant Program

The Community Impact Grant Program is offered by Mackay Regional Council to help local not-for-profit organisations deliver projects that create positive community outcomes.

The program supports initiatives that make the Mackay region more:

• Safe.
• Creative.
• Inclusive.
• Culturally connected.
• Healthy.
• Community-focused.

Projects should engage residents, strengthen community connections, or improve quality of life within the Mackay Regional Council area.

Priority Areas

Applications should align with at least one of the program’s priority areas.

Safe and Liveable Communities

Projects can support safer, more welcoming, and more liveable community spaces.

This may include initiatives that encourage community participation and improve the use of local places.

Creative and Cultural Activities

Funding can support activities that promote local creativity and cultural participation, including community events and cultural programming.

Inclusion and Multiculturalism

Projects that encourage inclusion and strengthen connections between people from different cultural and social backgrounds are encouraged.

Cultural Heritage

Initiatives that celebrate, preserve, or increase community engagement with local cultural heritage can align with the program.

Health and Wellbeing

Projects can address public health, physical wellbeing, social connection, and broader community wellbeing.

Organisational Capacity

Funding may also support activities that strengthen an organisation’s capacity to deliver community outcomes effectively.

What Can the Grant Support?

Eligible projects may include:

• Community events.
• Training programs.
• Community activities.
• Placemaking initiatives.
• Creative and cultural projects.
• Inclusion and multicultural activities.
• Health and wellbeing initiatives.
• Activities that strengthen organisational capacity.

The proposed activity should demonstrate a clear benefit to residents of the Mackay Regional Council community.

Funding Available

Eligible applicants can request up to $10,000 excluding GST.

The maximum amount is not guaranteed. Council may provide:

• The full amount requested.
• Partial funding.
• No funding.

Funding decisions depend on factors including available council funding, project quality, community benefit, and alignment with program priorities.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must generally be:

• Incorporated not-for-profit associations.
• Located within and servicing the Mackay Regional Council community.

Organisations that are not incorporated may be able to apply through an eligible organisation acting as an auspice.

Applicants must also:

• Be free of debt with Mackay Regional Council.
• Have satisfactorily acquitted previous council grants.
• Demonstrate the capacity to deliver the proposed project.
• Provide the required financial and project information.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The program does not support:

• Organisations with a Gaming Machine Licence.
• Businesses or commercial ventures.
• Projects that do not benefit the Mackay Regional Council community.
• Applicants that have outstanding requirements associated with previous council funding.

Applicants should check the current program guidelines for any additional exclusions before applying.

Why It Matters

Local community organisations often play a direct role in improving social connection, cultural participation, health, and community wellbeing.

The Community Impact Grant Program provides financial support for initiatives that can:

• Bring residents together.
• Improve community participation.
• Support inclusive communities.
• Promote local culture and heritage.
• Encourage healthier communities.
• Activate public or community spaces.
• Strengthen the capacity of local organisations.

How to Apply

Applicants should develop a clear project proposal demonstrating community need, impact, and organisational capacity.

Step 1: Identify the Community Need

Explain the issue or opportunity your project will address.

Clearly identify:

• The target community.
• The local need.
• Why the project is necessary.
• How residents will benefit.

Step 2: Match the Project to a Priority Area

Show how the project contributes to one or more priority areas, such as:

• Safety and liveability.
• Creativity and culture.
• Inclusion and multiculturalism.
• Cultural heritage.
• Health and wellbeing.
• Organisational capacity.

Step 3: Describe the Project

Explain what activities will take place, who will participate, and where the project will be delivered.

Include a clear implementation plan and realistic timeframe.

Step 4: Demonstrate Community Impact

Explain the expected outcomes and how you will measure success.

Possible indicators include:

• Number of participants.
• Number of community members reached.
• Increased participation in community activities.
• Improved access to cultural or recreational opportunities.
• New partnerships created.
• Improvements in organisational capacity.

Step 5: Prepare the Budget

Prepare a detailed project budget showing how the requested grant will be spent.

Applicants should ensure that expenses are directly connected to the proposed project.

Step 6: Provide Financial Information

A current financial statement is required as part of the application.

Applicants should also ensure that any previous council grants have been properly acquitted before applying.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Complete the council’s application process and provide all required supporting documentation before the applicable deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Clearly identify a local community need.
• Demonstrate direct benefits for Mackay residents.
• Link activities to the program’s priority areas.
• Set measurable and realistic outcomes.
• Provide a detailed and credible budget.
• Demonstrate organisational capacity.
• Explain how the project will engage community members.
• Show how the benefits will extend beyond the immediate activity where possible.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Proposing projects with no clear local community benefit.
• Failing to connect the project with the program’s priorities.
• Providing vague information about beneficiaries.
• Submitting an incomplete budget.
• Requesting funding for commercial activities.
• Ignoring previous grant acquittal requirements.
• Failing to demonstrate the organisation’s capacity to deliver the project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mackay Community Impact Grant?

It is a Mackay Regional Council funding program supporting local not-for-profit organisations to deliver projects that create positive social, cultural, health, inclusion, and community outcomes.

How much funding can applicants receive?

Applicants can request up to $10,000 excluding GST per eligible project. Council may provide less than the amount requested.

Who can apply?

Incorporated not-for-profit associations located within and servicing the Mackay Regional Council community can apply. Eligible organisations may also auspice other community groups where permitted.

What types of projects are supported?

The program can support events, training programs, community activities, placemaking initiatives, cultural projects, inclusion activities, health and wellbeing initiatives, and organisational capacity-building activities.

Are businesses eligible?

No. Business and commercial ventures are not eligible for this community grant program.

Can an organisation apply if it has received council funding before?

Yes, provided previous council grants have been satisfactorily acquitted and the organisation meets all other eligibility requirements.

What are the main priorities?

The main priorities are safe and liveable spaces, creative and cultural activities, inclusion and multiculturalism, cultural heritage, health and wellbeing, and organisational capacity.

Conclusion

The Mackay Regional Council Community Impact Grant Program offers up to $10,000 for eligible local not-for-profit organisations delivering projects that strengthen community connection and quality of life. The strongest applications will clearly demonstrate a local need, measurable community benefits, alignment with one or more program priorities, and the organisation’s ability to deliver the proposed initiative effectively.