Federation Council: Community Grants Program in Australia

Deadline: 17-Mar-23

The Federation Council is seeking applications for its Community Grants Program to support initiatives that deliver a range of social and economic benefits to communities across the Federation Council area.

The program provides a more streamlined approach to supporting local community groups, organisations and clubs with delivering community projects and events.

Objectives

The Community Grants Program seeks to achieve the following objectives:
- Increase the range of, and access to, recreational, social, cultural and environmental activities, programs and services to the Federation Council area.
- Reflect the community’s priorities and vision (as outlined in the Council’s Community Strategic Plan 2018-2028 and Delivery Plan 2022-2026.)
- Provide for the inclusion and participation of all members of the community that enable vulnerable individuals and groups to participate in local activities and opportunities.
- Foster community partnerships and encourage cooperation between community groups, organisations and council to ensure that all residents and organisations benefit from common resources.
- Promote Federation Council as a vibrant, diverse place to live and visit.
- Encourage a sense of community pride and allow communities to promote their towns and villages through promotional activities.
- Enhance the health and wellbeing of the Federation community and support a safer and more resilient community.

Priority Areas

Priority areas include:
- Ageing Well (Seniors)
- Youth
- Families & Children
- Disability Access & Inclusion
- Sports & recreation
- Health & Well being
- Arts & Culture
- Volunteers
- Environment

Categories

The Community Grants is broken into three categories. Applicants will need to opt for which category they are applying for when applying.
- Category One –Seed Funding
  - Category One supports the establishment of new initiatives.
  - One-off seed funding to support the delivery of new programs, projects and events and to assist in getting the group or project started.
  - Available first year only.
  - Applicants can apply for 80% of their project costs within the funding limit. However, applicants that can demonstrate investment from other public and private sources will be assessed favourably under the assessment criteria.
  - Up to $3,000 available per application.
- Category Two Emerging Grant
  - Category Two supports the promotion and operations of emerging projects to increase the projects profile and encourages effective community engagement and participation.
  - Supports initiatives that have evolved and have proven to demonstrate growth, meeting a community need as well as meeting Council’s priorities.
  - Available for three years only.
  - Applicants can apply for 60% of their project costs within the funding limit. However, applicants that can demonstrate investment from other public and private sources will be assessed favourably under the assessment criteria.
  - Up to $2,500 available per application.
- Category 3 Community Events or Programs Grants
  - Category 3 supports the strategic development of proven small to medium sized events or programs
  - Assistance to grow new and emerging events or programs in the start-up phase.
  - Develop an existing event or program that has proven growth, long- term financial viability and sustainability that can show planned substantial changes to the format.
  - Can be financial or in-kind funding.
  - Available for three years only.
  - Applicants can apply for 40% of their project costs within the funding limit. However, applicants that can demonstrate investment from other public and private sources will be assessed favourably under the assessment criteria.
  - Up to $1,500 available per application.

Funding Information

Funding is up to $3000. Allocations are for one financial year and are not recurrent. The total allocation is $60,000 per annum.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for a Community Grant with the Federation Council applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must be a not-for-profit constituted body such as an incorporated organisation or be auspiced by one.
- Applicants must be located within, or offer a project within, the Federation Council area.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate some level of fundraising and financial contribution to their activities, programs, projects and events. This may include financial or in-kind assistance obtained from other parties in the form of support or sponsorship. It is not Council’s intention to fully fund activities, programs, projects and events.
- Applicants must show how and where the Federation Council will be recognised in the activities, programs, projects or events).
Universities, TAFE colleges, schools, P&C or P&F association’s applications must be in partnership with another community organisation, where the organisation is the applicant or where it can be demonstrated the proposed project will provide significant wider community benefit and participation.
Activities, programs, projects and events will be eligible if:
- Located within the geographical boundaries of the Federation Council.
- Are open and physically accessible to the general community.
- Add social, cultural, economic, or environmental benefit to communities within the Federation Council LGA.
- Service a significant number of Federation residents and/ or bring economic or tourism benefit to the Federation Council.
Please Note: That an organisation, group, single project, event, activity or program will only be considered for one Federation Council grant program at a time.