Apply for Small Grants Fund (Australia)

Deadline: 7-Feb-25

The City of Parramatta is seeking applications for the Small Grants Fund to assist voluntary and staffed not-for-profit incorporated organisation to fund one-off costs that will directly support the progression of their capacity building activities, projects or programs through small allocations of funding.

This category is designed to assist voluntary and staffed not-for-profit incorporated organisations with the following:

• Project development and implementation;
• Capital purchase directly related to a discreet and defined activity or project;
• Building the internal capacity of the organisation;
• Resource development

Objectives

• Support community based groups, sport and recreation clubs, and service organisations to develop effective projects that address the social, economic and/or environmental needs of residents in the Parramatta Local Government Area, as described in City of Parramatta Council’s Community Strategic Plan;
• Maximise access to and use of community resources, services and facilities, including equity of access for people experiencing social exclusion, marginalisation or isolation;
• Encourage community participation in the development and delivery of projects and activities;
• Support the development of networks and partnerships between communities, local community groups, agencies and City of Parramatta Council.

Goals

• Fair
  • They can all benefit from the opportunities their city offers.
• Accessible
  • They can all get to where they want to go.
• Green
  • They care for and enjoy their environment.
• Welcoming
  • They celebrate culture and diversity – past, present and future.
• Thriving
  • They benefit from having a thriving CBD and local centres.
• Innovative
  • They collaborate and champion new ideas to create a better future.

Funding Information

• Approximately $40,000 per financial year is available for the Small Grants Fund.
• There is a funding cap for each application of $2,000.
• Successful recipients in this category are required to:
  • Complete their projects within 6 months of receipt of funding;
  • Acquit within 4 weeks of project completion.

Expected Outcomes

• Increase involvement and engagement by communities in social activities and community life.
• Increased number of people feeling a strong sense of social wellbeing.
• Improved access to information and development of new skills.
• Increased connections between individuals, community groups and agencies.
• Reduced financial hardship and social disadvantage.
• Enhanced sustainability outcomes for local communities related to Council’s strategic priorities.

Ineligible Costs

• Funding cannot be used for:
  • Attendance at, or production costs of conferences or similar events;
  • Academic course fees;
  • General interstate or international travel;
  • Day-to-day operational expenses, such as rent and office supplies.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be an incorporated not-for-profit organisation, a social enterprise or can provide evidence of an auspice arrangement with an incorporated not-for-profit organisation;
• Be located within the boundaries of the Parramatta local government area and/or principally service Parramatta residents;
• Address City of Parramatta’s vision statement and at least one of the eight priorities;
• Set project start dates after the grant funding commencement date and does not require retrospective, recurrent or ongoing funding;
• Have a bank account in its name with a minimum of 2 signatories, except where individuals have been named eligible for a specific program;
• Not have overdue progress or acquittal reports for previously funded grants.

Ineligibility Criteria

• The City of Parramatta does not provide grants for:
  • Activities and programs that duplicate existing services or repeat previously funded projects;
  • Attendance at conference or academic course fees, except within scholarship or fellowship programs;
  • Religious ceremonies and/or activities in which the promotion of a single faith is the main purpose;
  • Profit making activities where the profits are allocated to shareholder, owners and/or members;
  • The establishment or attainment of fundraising objectives.

Application Requirements

• Provide at least one quote for equipment purchases over $300.
• Must provide an itemised budget proposal (with receipts of project expenditure to be provided at the acquittal stage).

For more information, visit City of Parramatta.