Deadline: 13-Jul-2026
The Minor Grants programme supports not-for-profit community organisations delivering small-scale projects, events, and activities that benefit local residents in the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area. Funding of up to $3,000 is available for eligible one-off projects across community development, community facilities, creative development, cultural heritage, economic development, and sport and recreation. Eligible organisations must be legally constituted or registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, or apply through an auspicing arrangement.
Overview
The Minor Grants programme provides funding for small-scale community projects, events, and activities that deliver broad public benefit.
The programme is designed to help not-for-profit organisations implement short-term initiatives that improve community wellbeing and support local development.
Projects must align with one of the approved grant categories and clearly benefit residents of the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area.
Key Focus Areas
The Minor Grants programme supports community-focused projects across several recognised categories.
Key focus areas include:
- Community development
- Community facilities
- Creative development
- Cultural heritage
- Economic development
- Sport and recreation
- Small-scale community projects
- One-off events and activities
- Local resident benefit
- Community wellbeing
- Short-term community initiatives
- Social, cultural, and economic development
Purpose of the Programme
The purpose of the Minor Grants programme is to support not-for-profit organisations that are delivering practical projects for the local community.
The grants help organisations run activities, improve facilities, support creative or cultural initiatives, encourage local economic participation, and promote sport and recreation.
The programme is intended for one-off initiatives that provide clear and direct benefit to local residents.
Grant Amount
Funding of up to $3,000 is available for eligible minor projects.
Applicants should request an amount that is realistic and directly connected to the proposed project, event, or activity.
Approved Grant Categories
Applications must align with one of the approved categories.
The approved categories include:
- Community development
- Community facilities
- Creative development
- Cultural heritage
- Economic development
- Sport and recreation
Applicants should select the category that best matches their project purpose and expected outcomes.
What the Grant Can Support
The Minor Grants programme can support small-scale projects, events, and activities that benefit the community.
Supported activities may include:
- Community events
- Local development activities
- Small facility improvements
- Creative projects
- Cultural heritage activities
- Sport and recreation initiatives
- Community wellbeing projects
- Short-term activities that respond to local needs
- Projects that increase participation and inclusion
- One-off initiatives with clear public benefit
Projects should be practical, time-limited, and clearly connected to community benefit.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit community organisations.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be legally constituted, or
- Be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission
- Operate within the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area, or
- Demonstrate clear benefit to residents of the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area
- Maintain appropriate insurance
- Follow workplace health and safety standards
- Demonstrate financial viability
- Have no outstanding debt to Council, or be meeting agreed repayment arrangements
- Comply with previous grant acquittal requirements
Organisations without legal status may apply through an auspicing arrangement.
Auspicing Arrangements
Organisations that are not legally constituted may still be able to apply through an auspice.
An auspice is an eligible legally constituted organisation that agrees to manage the grant funds and take responsibility for the project on behalf of the applicant group.
This option helps informal community groups access funding while meeting accountability requirements.
Who is Not Eligible?
Certain applicants are not eligible under the Minor Grants programme.
Ineligible applicants include:
- Government agencies
- Departments at any level of government
- Educational organisations applying for core business activities
- Religious organisations applying for core business activities
- Medical organisations applying for core business activities
- School P&C associations
- Businesses
- Individuals
Applicants should check eligibility carefully before preparing an application.
Required Standards and Responsibilities
Eligible organisations must meet basic governance, safety, and financial requirements.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
- Appropriate insurance coverage
- Compliance with workplace health and safety standards
- Sound financial management
- Capacity to deliver the proposed project
- Ability to complete grant acquittal requirements
- No unresolved debt or compliance issues with Council
These requirements help ensure that funded projects are delivered safely, responsibly, and transparently.
Why It Matters
Small grants can make a meaningful difference to local communities.
Many community organisations need modest funding to run events, improve facilities, deliver creative activities, preserve local heritage, or increase participation in sport and recreation.
The Minor Grants programme helps local groups turn practical ideas into community benefit, supporting stronger, more active, and more connected communities across the Sunshine Coast.
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should prepare a clear proposal that explains the project, category, community need, expected benefits, budget, and organisational capacity.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Applicants should first confirm that their organisation is a not-for-profit community organisation and is legally constituted, registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, or applying through an auspice.
They should also confirm that they operate within the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area or can clearly demonstrate benefit to residents of that area.
Step 2: Choose the Correct Category
Applicants should select the category that best fits their project.
They may choose from:
- Community development
- Community facilities
- Creative development
- Cultural heritage
- Economic development
- Sport and recreation
The application should clearly explain how the project aligns with the selected category.
Step 3: Describe the Project Clearly
The proposal should explain what the organisation wants to do.
The description should include:
- Project name
- Project location
- Planned activities
- Target participants or beneficiaries
- Project timeline
- Community need being addressed
- Expected local benefit
Step 4: Show Community Benefit
A strong application should clearly demonstrate how the project will benefit local residents.
Possible benefits may include:
- Increased community participation
- Improved access to activities or facilities
- Stronger community connections
- Better wellbeing outcomes
- Support for local culture or heritage
- Increased sport or recreation opportunities
- Support for local economic activity
- Improved community spaces
Step 5: Prepare a Clear Budget
Applicants should prepare a simple and realistic budget of up to $3,000.
The budget should show:
- Total project cost
- Grant amount requested
- Other funding sources, if any
- Applicant contribution, if any
- Costs directly linked to the project
- Quotes or cost estimates where required
Step 6: Check Documents and Compliance
Applicants should make sure they meet all documentation and compliance requirements.
This may include:
- Proof of legal status or auspicing arrangement
- Insurance evidence
- Financial information
- Workplace health and safety compliance
- Previous grant acquittal status
- Confirmation of no outstanding Council debt or repayment arrangement
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting unclear or ineligible applications.
Common mistakes include:
- Applying as an individual
- Applying as a business
- Applying for core business activities of an educational, religious, or medical organisation
- Not aligning the project with an approved category
- Not showing clear benefit to Sunshine Coast residents
- Submitting a vague project description
- Requesting more than $3,000
- Not demonstrating financial viability
- Failing to meet insurance or safety requirements
- Having outstanding Council debt or unresolved grant acquittals
- Applying without an auspice when the group has no legal status
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should be practical, clear, and community-focused.
Useful tips include:
- Choose the most relevant grant category.
- Clearly explain the local need.
- Show how the project will benefit residents.
- Keep the project small, realistic, and achievable.
- Provide a clear budget within the $3,000 limit.
- Include evidence of organisational capacity.
- Make sure insurance and safety requirements are in place.
- Use an auspice if the group is not legally constituted.
- Avoid applying for routine core business activities.
- Explain how the project will contribute to community wellbeing.
FAQ
1. What is the Minor Grants programme?
The Minor Grants programme provides funding for small-scale projects, events, and activities that deliver community benefit within approved categories.
2. How much funding is available?
Eligible projects may receive funding of up to $3,000.
3. Who can apply?
Not-for-profit community organisations that are legally constituted or registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission may apply. Organisations without legal status may apply through an auspicing arrangement.
4. What categories are supported?
The approved categories are community development, community facilities, creative development, cultural heritage, economic development, and sport and recreation.
5. Can individuals apply?
No. Individuals are not eligible to apply.
6. Can businesses apply?
No. Businesses are not eligible under the programme.
7. Can organisations outside the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area apply?
Applicants must operate within the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area or demonstrate clear benefit to residents of that area.
Conclusion
The Minor Grants programme provides practical support for not-for-profit organisations delivering small-scale projects that benefit local communities.
With funding of up to $3,000, the programme supports activities across community development, facilities, creative development, cultural heritage, economic development, and sport and recreation. Strong applications should clearly demonstrate eligibility, community need, project alignment, local benefit, realistic budgeting, and readiness to meet insurance, safety, financial, and acquittal requirements.
For more information, visit Sunshine Coast Council.