Deadline: 31-Mar-21
Does your not-for-profit community group have a great project that needs funding? Then apply for financial assistance through their Community Grants Program. Preference will be given to collaborative projects that will improve or embellish a public space in your community, or seeks to protect or promote their local history.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council believes in a supported and empowered local community that recognizes the principles of equity, access, and participation. Their Community Grants Program aims to provide financial support to local not-for-profit organizations that contribute to a connected, supportive, caring, inclusive, and engaged community.
Objectives
To achieve social, cultural and recreational outcomes that align with Port Macquarie Hastings Council plans, such as the Community Strategic Plan.
- Facilitate and support the establishment and or development of innovative community projects in the Port Macquarie-Hastings community.
- Increase the participation, accessibility, and range of quality community activities and/or programs for the residents of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Government Area (LGA).
- Create authentic and vibrant public places that are valued by their communities and admired by visitors.
- To reach and benefit as many people in the Port Macquarie-Hastings as practically possible.
- Provide opportunities for local entertainers, community groups and the like to connect to the wider community through diverse, accessible and inclusive activities.
Program Grant Categories
- Community Builders Grant: The Community Builder Grants category provides funding support for community organizations to establish, strengthen or implement projects, which align with the objectives of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Community Strategic Plan and can demonstrate evidence of benefit to the wider Port Macquarie-Hastings community. Partnerships between agencies/groups are encouraged. These projects can require funds:
- to undertake minor capital works or the purchase of small capital equipment items provided that these are directly relevant to the particular community development project and that this is clearly demonstrated in the application;
- for establishment costs where the project can demonstrate that it will be self-funded after the initial grant allocation; or
- for one-off projects that demonstrate outcomes beyond the life of the project.
- Cultural Grant: Cultural Grants category provides funding support, up to a maximum of $5,000 to encourage a range of art, music and cultural community activities to enhance their places & spaces. It would support the development and showcasing of local arts & cultural organizations and individuals and would include art and cultural programs, performances, and installations that are of a broad community benefit. Some examples of Cultural projects are:
- Mural developed by local artists with the involvement of local school children; or
- Transforming a space with a large community-created design.
- Broad musical performances/experiences at community events.
- Cultural Programs that benefit community groups.
- Environmental Grant
- The Environmental Levy has been included in the Community Grants program for projects which seek to assist volunteer environmental groups with environmental restoration works on public bushland. The maximum that groups can apply for is $5,000. Projects should align with the objectives of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Community Strategic Plan and the Bushland Reform Report.
- Community Celebration Grant: Community Celebration Grants are open to the general public and promote a sense of celebration and community connectedness. The amount of funding should be proportionate to the number of people expected to be involved. The maximum available per project is $5,000. Projects should align with the objectives of the Port Macquarie Hastings Community Strategic Plan. Some examples of community celebrations include:
- Christmas or New Year’s concerts;
- Film screening;
- Festivals;
- Cultural Celebrations.
- Youth Grant Program
- Youth Grant Program is aimed directly at young people aged 25 years and younger for activities aimed to benefit individual young people, school groups or youth groups. Applications must meet the overall criteria of the Community Grants program and demonstrate an overall benefit to young people and the future of their community and place. The maximum available per project is $5,000 and groups and individual applicants may be auspiced by a community group or a school P&C.
- Note: Youth Grant projects cannot take place on school grounds unless the event is open for all young people / the wider community to attend. Any events must comply with COVID-19 safety requirements.
- Note: Individuals can apply for funding in partnership with an auspicing organization.
- Micro Grant
- Microgrants are available throughout the year to support unexpected opportunities for their community or for enhancing people, places, and spaces. Grants up to a total of $1000 with a total allocation of $10,000 per year.
Eligibility Criteria
The Community Grants Program is open to not-for-profit charitable organizations and not-for-profit public companies limited by guarantee. To be eligible for funding, an organization must have an ABN and be a legal not-for-profit entity. Eligible organizations include:
- a co-operative society under the Co-operatives Act 1992;
- a reserve trust;
- a company limited by guarantee;
- an incorporated association under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009;
- an incorporated association or council under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006; and
- a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission.
For more information, visit https://www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Community-Culture/Grants/About-Community-Grants