Round 2: SPARC Support Grant Program in Australia

Deadline: 18-Apr-25

The SPARC Support Grant Program is designed to support cultural organisations and individuals to initiate and develop projects that support regional creative diversity, innovation and growth.

Funding Information

• Funding is capped at $10,000.00 per round. Applicants may apply for up to the full $10,000.00

Duration

• The funding is time limited and will cover projects or programs that are to be completed within a twelve (12) month timeframe from the date of funding.

Expected Outcomes 

• Council will consider highly programs that:
  • Directly action and support the outcomes of the SPARC Dubbo Regional Cultural Plan.
  • Provide unique, diverse and equitable cultural outcomes for the community.
  • Support the development and growth of a robust cultural sector.
  • Prioritise the development of new and emerging cultural programs or experiences.
• Funding can be applied for:
  • Performances, presentations and exhibitions
  • Increased skills and professional development opportunities for creatives
  • New works that extend creative practice and cultural forms
  • Community arts, cultural development and cultural education
  • Initiatives that strengthen cultural tourism and connections between culture and economic growth
  • Projects that support and platform local creative voices and perspectives
  • Heritage programs that support access, preservation and understanding of regional stories.

Eligibility Criteria

• The project must be held in, or directly benefit the community of the Dubbo LGA
• Eligible Entity Types
  • Individuals
    • Individual applicants should use their personal name for the application and if successful, will be individually party to the funding agreement.
    • The ABN Lookup register would list the entity type as ‘Individual/Sole Trader’.
    • The ABN ‘main business location’ should match the postcode of the applicant’s address provided.
  • Australian Incorporated Organisation
    • An incorporated organisation is a legal entity separate from its individual members. Incorporated organisations include the following:
      • Incorporated associations
        • Not‐for‐profit community associations incorporated under state or territory legislation
        • Incorporated associations must, by law, have the words ‘Incorporated’ or ‘Inc.’ in their name
        • Applicants can confirm if they are an incorporated association by searching the ASIC Connect Register, where the entity type will be listed as an ‘Associations’. Note, the ABN Lookup does not provide the necessary proof.
      • Companies limited by Guarantee (CLG’s)
        • CLGs are registered with ASIC under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and may also be registered as charities with the Australian Charities and Not‐for‐profits Commission.
        • CLGs must, by law, use the words ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’ in their name, although may be exempt from doing so in limited circumstances
        • Additionally, entities with a ‘Pty Ltd’ in their name (rather than just a ‘Ltd’) are not CLGs but are private proprietary limited companies that are not eligible for funding
      • Cooperatives
        • Registered under state or territory legislation.
        • Cooperatives are set up and run for the mutual benefit of members (for example, a community childcare cooperative).
        • Cooperatives must have the words ‘Co‐operative’ or ‘Co‐op’, and ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’ in their name and are listed as a ‘Co‐operative’ on ABN Lookup.
      • Indigenous Corporations
        • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander controlled organisations registered with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.
        • Indigenous corporations registered with ORIC must have ‘Aboriginal corporation’, ‘Torres Strait Islander corporation’, or ‘Indigenous corporation’ in their name.
        • Applicants and RPAs can consult the ORIC register to confirm an applicant’s status as a registered Indigenous corporation. Note that not all Indigenous controlled organisations are registered with ORIC.

Ineligibility Criteria

• The following are ineligible
  • Applicants with an overdue acquittal
  • Applicants with outstanding projects/programs due to extension or have not expended their prior funding within the allocated twelve (12) months of provision.
  • Applicants cannot apply for funding via the SPARC Support Grant Program if funding has already been provided by another funding stream within Dubbo Regional Council for the same activity in the same financial year. The unique activity needs to be demonstrated.
  • Late or incomplete applications.
  • Proposals from Government Departments, agencies or any other Council.

For more information, visit Dubbo Regional Council.