Healthy and Connected Communities Grants Program

Deadline: 24-Jul-23

Applications are now open for the Healthy & Connected Communities Grants (HCC) to support projects, activities, forums, or events that respond to a community need and will improve the health, wellbeing and capacity of the community.

Aims

The HCC grant aims are to:

help the community, recreation groups and volunteers to prosper and grow
promote and deliver health and wellbeing initiatives (e.g., healthy eating, active living)
foster and embrace an inclusive community culture and community connectedness
support a safer and more resilient community

Funding Categories

There is total funding available of $245,000.
Project grants – $10,000
- For projects, programs, activities, forums or events, and equipment necessary to deliver the activities (up to $2,000) that improve health and wellbeing, build community capacity and benefit the broader community.
Equipment grants – $2,000
- To assist with the cost of small equipment purchases that help community groups deliver services and programs, improve health and safety outcomes or improve resources that support volunteer groups.

What can you apply for?

Your grant activity must take place within the City of Greater Geelong.

Project Grants
- In this category they are seeking proposals that will benefit the community. Suggested ideas that are suitable for applications include:
  - initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles, such as those that increase community participation in physical activities, recreational pursuits or promote and improve healthy eating.
  - initiatives aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes in the community.
  - community celebrations or events that mark a specific milestone, a significant anniversary or promote community inclusion and social connections.
  - activities that strengthen community relationships and encourage active participation in community life.
  - initiatives that complement or support existing programs, or strategies that aim to raise awareness or address complex social issues, such as discrimination, gender equality, family violence or community safety.
  - initiatives that address specific needs of Aboriginal, multicultural and new arrival communities, LGBTQIA+ people, children, young people, seniors and people with disabilities.
Equipment Grants
- In this category they provide support for small equipment purchases that help community groups to deliver services and programs, improve health and safety outcomes and improve resources for volunteers. Suggested ideas that are suitable for applications include:
  - sporting equipment, such as soccer nets and crash mats (excludes consumable items such as sporting balls)
  - office equipment, such as laptops and office furniture
  - kitchenware, such as kettles, crockery and microwave ovens
  - general equipment, such as tables, chairs and barbeques
  - equipment costs of setting up a new community group

Eligibility Criteria

Not-for-profits – incorporated bodies, co-operatives or associations
Registered charitable organisations
Unincorporated bodies with an auspice
Schools and learning institutions – only for activities that are not curriculum based and the primary benefit is for the wider community

Ineligible

For-profits – commercial entities, businesses
Individual/Sole Traders (entity type with Australian Business Register)
Individuals (without an ABN)
Applicants that have received funding from this grant in the current financial year (applies only when a second grant round is offered by the City)
Applicants with outstanding acquittals for grant funding from the City – including auspices
Applicants with outstanding debts or arrears to the City of Greater Geelong or in legal proceedings with the City
An organisation involved in legal proceedings relating to winding up its operations, or experiencing insolvency or bankruptcy (this includes any legal bankruptcy‑related actions against the organisation’s directors or officers)

For more information, visit City of Greater Geelong.