Deadline: 27-Oct-2025
The Community Grants Program on the Sunshine Coast offers valuable support to community organisations, helping them deliver projects that strengthen the local community.
Recognizing the important role that community groups and their volunteers play, the program encourages initiatives that foster a strong, vibrant, and inclusive Sunshine Coast.
Applications are welcomed for projects that contribute to a range of community goals. These include promoting healthy, active lifestyles through services and programs supporting physical and mental well-being. The program also values efforts that create vibrant communities by ensuring accessible places, transport, and housing for all. It supports initiatives that promote inclusion, providing opportunities for everyone to participate and be involved. Additionally, the program encourages projects that build connected, resilient, and safe communities where people work together toward shared goals. Creative and innovative efforts that celebrate creativity, heritage, and First Nations culture are also a focus.
Grants are available under several categories, including community development, community facilities, creative development, cultural heritage, economic development, and sport and recreation. Organisations can apply for either major or minor grants based on their project needs. Project funding for not-for-profit community groups up to $3000.
Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit community organisations with legal status or registration with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). They need to operate within the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area or demonstrate that their project will benefit residents there. Organisations must have appropriate insurance, follow workplace health and safety practices, demonstrate financial viability, and have no outstanding debts to Council—or have payment plans in place. They also must have fulfilled reporting requirements for previous Council grants. If an organisation is not legally registered, applications can be submitted through an eligible auspicing group.
Certain applicants are not eligible for funding. These include government agencies, educational, religious, or medical organisations applying for core business activities, school Parent and Citizens’ associations, businesses, and individuals.
Overall, the Community Grants Program is a key resource for not-for-profit groups seeking to make a positive impact on the Sunshine Coast, supporting a wide variety of projects that build a stronger, healthier, and more connected community.
For more information, visit Sunshine Coast Council.