Deadline: 30-May-22
The City of Boroondara is pleased to announce an open call for the Annual Community Strengthening Grants to provide financial support for new, one-off projects and activities that strengthen the Boroondara community.
Objectives
The objectives of the Community Strengthening Grants are to:
- increase participation of residents in their community
- increase inclusion and representation of under-represented groups and issues
- develop innovative approaches to local issues
- assist groups and volunteers to develop skills and build capacity
- encourage the sustainability and better governance of community organisations
- encourage partnerships between local organisations and the development of local community networks.
Grants Streams
Grants up to $10,000 are available per project or activity under 6 grant streams:
- Active Community – Sports and Recreation: This stream is available develop recreation, sport and physical activity opportunities to meet the needs of the community (now and in the future) and enhance the functionality of public recreation spaces for a wider range of uses.
- Life-long Community – Opportunities for Over 55s: This stream is to support opportunities for older people (aged 55+) to develop opportunities that maximise older people’s quality of life, social connections and ability to participate and engage in the community through the provision of programs, activities, volunteering and community sharing projects.
- Creative Community – Arts and Culture: This stream is available for diverse arts and cultural programs, festivals, events and activities that articulate and enhance arts, culture and heritage practice across Boroondara.
- Healthy Community – Health, Safety and Wellbeing, Youth, Children and Families: This stream is available for projects and activities that promote safety, good health and wellbeing of individuals, families and community groups, across all ages, abilities and cultural backgrounds.
- Sustainable Community – Environmental Sustainability: This stream is available for projects and programs that build community capacity to live sustainably and ensure the natural environment is healthy and sustainable for future generations through the efficient use of resources, reduction in waste and the protection of the local biodiversity.
- Vibrant Retail Precincts: This stream is available to eligible community organisations to deliver initiatives, projects and activities that increase the vibrancy and functionality of retail precincts, enhance a sense of community and pride, and promote a ‘buy local’ ethos.
A maximum of $2,000 is available for equipment purchases. Applicants can submit more than one application; however, the combined total of all grant applications must be no more than $10,000.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for an Annual Community Strengthening Grant, your organisation must:
- provide direct benefits to residents of the City of Boroondara (local organisations are prioritised)
- be not-for-profit, as classified by the Australian Tax Office in the Income Tax Assessment Act (1936)
- be a registered legally constituted entity (e.g. a co-operative, incorporated association or company limited by guarantee) or have an auspice (unless requesting less than $1,000)
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN), or complete a Statement by Supplier form, or hold an exemption from registration
- have a committee of management that accepts responsibility for the administration of the grant
- hold an adequate public liability insurance policy to cover the staff, members and the general public, as appropriate
- not have its own grant giving program or fundraising program that provides money to finance another organisation’s community initiatives
- have satisfactorily accounted to Council for the expenditure of any previous Council grants (if relevant)
- comply with all other relevant Australian and Victorian legislation, including: accounting and auditing requirements; equal opportunity and antidiscrimination laws; human rights laws; privacy, confidentiality and freedom of information laws; registration or accreditation of professional employees; and preparation and dissemination of annual reports
- have an adequate risk management plan in place (as required).
For more information, visit https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/community-support/community-grants/annual-community-strengthening-grants