Strathfield Council announces Community Grants – Australia

Deadline: 31-Jul-24

The Strathfield Council is seeking applications to support projects and initiatives that deliver direct benefit to the community of Strathfield.

This grant program aligns with the themes of the Community Strategic Plan 2035 in relation to Connectivity, Community Wellbeing, Celebrating Culture and Place, Liveable Neighbourhoods, Responsible Leadership.

Priorities

• Outcomes of grant programs are to be aligned with the Council’s Community Strategic Plan 2035. Funding is allocated to priority areas to meet identified community need. These priorities include:
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • People from culturally and linguistically diverse back grounds
  • Children
  • Youth
  • Women
  • People with disability
  • Older people
  • Families
• All applications will be assessed on merit and other areas of need can be identified besides those listed as priority

Program Structure 

• There are two streams in the Community Grants program:
  • Cultural Grants 
    • The Cultural grants stream supports the growth of art, dance, music, and creative activities in the Strathfield Local Government Area by funding a range of projects, programs and events that provide opportunities for individual artists, groups, or organisations to connect with the community of Strathfield.
    • Objectives
      • Council seeks to support projects and initiatives that will build arts and creative activities for the people of Strathfield through events, theatre, music, dance, art and writing by:
        • Contributing to the growth of local arts and creativity through collaboration and partnerships.
        • Developing the skills of local creative professionals and art workers across all arts disciplines.
        • Increasing access and community participation in arts and creative events.
        • Bring significant benefit to the residents and rate payers of Strathfield in relation to cultural programs and activities.
    • Funding Criteria 
      • Applications to be made between $1,000 and $5,000.
      • Partial funding may be recommended in some cases due to limitation of funding and the number of high standard applications received.
  • Community Development Grants 
    • The Community Development grant stream supports community projects that focus on improving social outcomes and enhancing social inclusion and connection for the people of Strathfield.
    • Objectives
      • Council seeks to support projects and initiatives that will build social inclusion and community resilience for the people of Strathfield.
      • Community development projects may include initiatives for people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait backgrounds, diverse backgrounds, people who are aged and/or disabled, children, youth, and women or any identified/researched social issue in Strathfield by:
        • Increasing community capacity through collaboration and partnerships among community groups, supports, and services.
        • Facilitating inclusion and access to facilities, services, and open spaces, particularly for people at risk of social isolation.
        • Increasing trust and understanding within the diverse demographic of Strathfield.
        • Increasing social cohesion, sense of belonging and connection to place.
        • Increasing volunteering and community participation.
        • Increasing access to activities promoting wellbeing, including physical and mental health.
        • Increasing access to social, educational, training and employment opportunities
        • Increasing access to activities that support families.
    • Funding Criteria 
      • Applications to be made between $1,000 and $5,000.
      • Partial funding may be recommended in some cases due to limitation of funding and the number of high standard applications received.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for funding, applicants must:
  • Acquit any previous Council grants or sponsorships and have no outstanding debts owed to Council prior to 31 July 2024.
  • Demonstrate the grant will be used for a purpose in the public interest primarily for the local community of Strathfield.
• Eligible applicants include:
  • Not-for-profit organisations
  • Social enterprises
  • Unincorporated community groups when sponsored by a local not for profit Parents and Citizens or Parents and Friends Associations
• If you are choosing a sponsor, they encourage you to choose one that is relevant to the sector and can support the implementation of the proposal.
• Non-local artists and practitioners must demonstrate tangible benefits to the Strathfield community.

Ineligible

• Ineligible applicants include:
  • Government organisations
  • Political parties
• Council does not provide grants to:
  • Projects or initiatives that do not directly benefit the Strathfield community.
  • Projects or initiatives that are unlawful or of unconscionable purpose.
  • Events or activities that are primarily a marketing or promotional exercise for a for-profit organisation.
  • Cover rental costs or recurrent expenditure for organisations or groups.
  • Cover ongoing staff or operational costs including consumables (food and/or beverage), petrol, stationary etc.
  • Be used for the purpose of prize money, prizes, or trophies.
  • Applicants who have been awarded a Small Grant from Strathfield Council within the last financial year prior to this Community Grant round.
• Council does not provide fee waivers or free use for in-house design, printing and distribution service, hall or reserve/field hire, street closures or cleansing and waste service for events.
• These costs must be included in the application budget.

For more information, visit Strathfield Council.