Deadline: 06-Oct-2026
The Sunshine Coast Major Grants Program provides funding to not-for-profit community organisations for projects, activities, and events that deliver significant benefits to communities across the Sunshine Coast region. Eligible applicants can request up to $30,000 for Community Facilities infrastructure projects and up to $15,000 for other eligible activities, subject to program requirements and available funding.
What Is the Major Grants Program?
The Major Grants Program is administered to support community organisations delivering initiatives that address identified local needs and contribute to the wellbeing and development of the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area (LGA).
The program supports projects that align with Sunshine Coast Council’s strategic priorities and provide clear public benefit.
Funding can support initiatives across community, cultural, creative, economic, sporting, and infrastructure areas.
Why It Matters
The program helps local not-for-profit organisations develop projects that may otherwise be difficult to fund through their existing resources.
The grants aim to:
- Address significant community needs.
- Improve community facilities and infrastructure.
- Strengthen community participation and development.
- Support arts and creative activities.
- Preserve and celebrate cultural heritage.
- Encourage local economic development.
- Promote sport and recreation.
- Improve community wellbeing across the Sunshine Coast region.
Funding Available
The maximum grant depends on the type of project.
- Community Facilities: Up to $30,000 for eligible infrastructure projects.
- Other eligible categories: Up to $15,000 per project.
Funding is subject to eligibility, assessment, available Council resources, and the strength of the proposed project.
Grant Categories
Applicants can seek support across several funding categories.
Community Development
Supports projects that strengthen community participation, inclusion, connection, capacity, and wellbeing.
Community Facilities
Supports eligible infrastructure projects that improve facilities used by the community.
Funding of up to $30,000 may be requested under this category.
Creative Development
Supports initiatives that encourage creativity, artistic participation, and the development of local creative activity.
Cultural Heritage
Supports activities that protect, celebrate, interpret, or strengthen the region’s cultural heritage.
Economic Development
Supports initiatives that contribute to local economic development and create broader community benefits.
Sport and Recreation
Supports activities and projects that encourage participation in sport, recreation, and healthy community lifestyles.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must generally be not-for-profit community organisations that meet the program’s organisational and geographical requirements.
Applicants must:
- Be a legal entity or be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
- Operate within the Sunshine Coast LGA or demonstrate a clear benefit to Sunshine Coast residents.
- Meet Council’s insurance requirements.
- Demonstrate financial viability.
- Have satisfactorily acquitted previous Council grants, where applicable.
- Have the organisational capacity to deliver the proposed project.
The project itself must provide a meaningful benefit to the Sunshine Coast community.
Who Is Not Eligible?
The program does not generally support:
- Government agencies.
- Businesses and commercial entities.
- Individuals.
- Organisations that do not meet the program’s legal or organisational requirements.
- Projects that do not provide a clear Sunshine Coast community benefit.
Applicants should confirm their specific eligibility before preparing an application.
What Projects Can Be Funded?
A successful project should demonstrate:
- A clear and significant community need.
- Strong public benefit.
- Alignment with relevant Council strategies.
- A realistic delivery plan.
- Appropriate financial management.
- Capacity to achieve the proposed outcomes.
Projects may involve community activities, events, creative initiatives, cultural heritage activities, sport and recreation programs, economic development initiatives, or eligible community infrastructure.
What Cannot Be Funded?
The Major Grants Program does not generally fund:
- Ongoing operational costs.
- Projects that have already commenced.
- Core business activities of educational organisations.
- Core business activities of religious organisations.
- Core business activities of medical organisations.
- Activities conducted solely for commercial profit.
- Fundraising activities without broader community benefit.
Applicants should ensure that the requested funding directly supports the proposed community project rather than routine organisational operations.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare their proposal around the program’s core assessment requirements.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Check that your organisation meets the legal, geographical, insurance, financial, and previous-grant requirements.
Step 2: Identify the Community Need
Clearly explain the issue or opportunity the project will address.
Use relevant community evidence, local data, consultation findings, or other information to demonstrate why the project is needed.
Step 3: Define the Project
Explain:
- What will be delivered.
- Who will benefit.
- Where the project will take place.
- When activities will occur.
- How the project will address the identified need.
Step 4: Select the Correct Grant Category
Choose the category that most closely matches the proposed activity:
- Community Development.
- Community Facilities.
- Creative Development.
- Cultural Heritage.
- Economic Development.
- Sport and Recreation.
Step 5: Prepare the Budget
Provide a clear project budget showing how grant funds will be spent.
Make sure requested funding is within the applicable maximum:
- Up to $30,000 for eligible Community Facilities infrastructure projects.
- Up to $15,000 for other eligible projects.
Step 6: Demonstrate Community Benefit
Explain the expected outcomes and identify who will benefit.
Strong applications should show measurable improvements rather than simply describing planned activities.
Step 7: Submit Supporting Information
Provide all information requested by Council, including relevant organisational, financial, insurance, project, and previous-grant documentation.
Step 8: Submit the Application
Review the application for completeness and accuracy before submitting it through the designated Council application process.
How to Strengthen Your Application
Applicants can improve their proposals by:
- Clearly demonstrating local community need.
- Providing evidence of community consultation or participation.
- Linking the project to relevant Council strategic priorities.
- Setting measurable and realistic outcomes.
- Providing a detailed and credible budget.
- Demonstrating organisational capacity.
- Explaining how the project will benefit Sunshine Coast residents.
- Showing how benefits can continue beyond the grant period where appropriate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying for routine operating expenses.
- Starting the project before approval where this makes it ineligible.
- Failing to demonstrate significant community benefit.
- Submitting an unrealistic or incomplete budget.
- Applying under the wrong funding category.
- Ignoring Council insurance or financial requirements.
- Proposing activities that primarily serve a commercial purpose.
- Providing insufficient evidence of community need.
- Failing to acquit previous Council grants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding can organisations receive?
Applicants can request up to $30,000 for eligible Community Facilities infrastructure projects and up to $15,000 for other eligible projects.
Who can apply for the Major Grants Program?
The program is primarily for eligible not-for-profit community organisations that are legal entities or registered with the ACNC and operate in, or provide clear benefits to, the Sunshine Coast LGA.
What types of projects are supported?
Funding is available across Community Development, Community Facilities, Creative Development, Cultural Heritage, Economic Development, and Sport and Recreation.
Can businesses apply?
No. Businesses and commercial entities are generally not eligible applicants.
Can funding be used for ongoing operational costs?
No. The program does not generally fund ongoing operational expenses or routine core business activities.
Can a project that has already started receive funding?
No. Projects that have already commenced are ineligible under the stated program requirements.
What makes a strong application?
A strong application demonstrates a clear community need, significant public benefit, strategic alignment, realistic budget, organisational capacity, and measurable project outcomes.
Conclusion
The Sunshine Coast Major Grants Program provides an important funding opportunity for eligible not-for-profit organisations seeking to deliver projects that create significant community benefits. With grants of up to $30,000 for eligible Community Facilities infrastructure projects and up to $15,000 for other eligible activities, the program can support initiatives across community development, arts and culture, heritage, economic development, sport, recreation, and community infrastructure.
Applicants should focus on demonstrating a genuine local need, strong public benefit, strategic alignment, financial viability, and the capacity to deliver measurable outcomes for Sunshine Coast residents.
For more information, visit Sunshine Coast Council.