Call for Proposals: Small Grant Individuals Program (Australia)

The Alexandrina Council Small Grants Program supports individuals aged under 25 and people living with a disability in the Alexandrina Council area to pursue personal development opportunities in arts, culture, music, dance, sport, recreation, and community leadership. Grants of up to $400 are available for eligible South Australian, interstate, and international activities during the 2026-27 program period.

What Is the Alexandrina Council Small Grants Program?

The Alexandrina Council Small Grants Program is designed to help eligible local residents access opportunities that build their skills, experience, confidence, and personal development.

The program supports participation in activities that can strengthen individual achievement while encouraging recipients to share their skills, experience, and knowledge with the wider Alexandrina community.

Supported areas include:

Arts and culture.
Music and dance.
Sport and recreation.
Community leadership.
Personal development.
Workshops and training.
Competitions.
Conferences.
Leadership programs.
Regional, national, and international events.

Why It Matters

Access to competitions, workshops, conferences, leadership programs, and other development opportunities can help young people and people living with disability build valuable skills and networks.

The program aims to:

Encourage participation in arts and cultural activities.
Support sporting and recreational achievement.
Develop emerging community leaders.
Provide access to learning and development opportunities.
Help participants gain experience at regional, national, and international levels.
Encourage successful applicants to contribute their knowledge and skills to the Alexandrina community.

Who Is Eligible?

The program is intended for individuals who meet the program’s age, disability, and residency requirements.

Eligible applicants must generally be:

Under 25 years of age, or
Living with a disability, and
Based within the Alexandrina Council area.

Applicants should also demonstrate that the proposed activity contributes to their personal, artistic, sporting, recreational, or leadership development.

Activity-Specific Requirements

Different requirements apply depending on the type of activity.

Sport and Recreation Applicants

Applicants seeking support for sport or recreation must have been selected to participate or compete in the relevant activity.

This may include selection for:

Sporting competitions.
Regional events.
State-level activities.
National competitions.
International competitions.

Applicants should provide evidence of their selection where required.

Arts, Culture, Music, Dance and Leadership Applicants

Applicants in areas other than sport and recreation should demonstrate:

A strong commitment to their chosen field.
The relevance of the proposed opportunity to their development.
A clear intention to contribute their skills and knowledge to the Alexandrina community.

What Activities Can Be Supported?

Funding can contribute toward a broad range of personal development opportunities.

Examples include:

Arts and cultural events.
Music or dance activities.
Sporting competitions.
Recreational activities.
Workshops.
Leadership development programs.
Conferences.
Regional competitions.
National competitions.
International competitions.
Associated transport costs.
Accommodation costs connected to eligible activities.

The activity should provide a clear development opportunity for the applicant.

How Much Funding Is Available?

The grant amount depends on where the eligible activity takes place.

South Australia: $200
Interstate: $300
Overseas: $400

The total program allocation for 2026-27 is $20,000.

Applicants should ensure that their request corresponds to the location and eligibility requirements of the proposed activity.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare their application around the activity they want to undertake and explain how it will support their personal development.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Check that you:

Meet the age or disability eligibility requirements.
Live within the Alexandrina Council area.
Are applying as an individual.
Are participating in an eligible field or activity.

Step 2: Identify Your Development Opportunity

Clearly describe the event, workshop, competition, conference, leadership program, or other opportunity you plan to attend.

Include details such as:

Name of the activity.
Location.
Dates.
Your role or participation.
Why you have been selected or invited, where applicable.

Step 3: Explain the Benefit

Describe how participating will help you develop.

For example, the opportunity may help you:

Improve your skills.
Gain professional or competitive experience.
Build confidence.
Develop leadership abilities.
Expand your networks.
Gain exposure to new techniques or ideas.

Step 4: Explain the Community Contribution

For non-sporting activities, applicants should clearly explain how they intend to use their experience or knowledge to benefit the Alexandrina community.

This could involve sharing knowledge, mentoring others, contributing to local activities, or becoming more involved in community initiatives.

Step 5: Provide Supporting Information

Where applicable, include evidence such as:

Selection confirmation.
Event information.
Competition details.
Workshop or conference information.
Leadership program details.
Relevant costs for transport or accommodation.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their application by:

Clearly explaining their personal development goal.
Showing why the proposed opportunity is important.
Providing evidence of selection for sporting activities.
Demonstrating commitment to their chosen field.
Explaining how the experience will benefit the local community.
Providing accurate event and travel information.
Ensuring the requested amount matches the activity location.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying without meeting the age, disability, or location requirements.
Failing to demonstrate commitment to the proposed field.
Applying for a sporting activity without evidence of selection.
Providing insufficient information about the event or program.
Failing to explain the personal development benefits.
Not explaining the intended community contribution where required.
Requesting an amount that does not correspond to the activity’s location.

Key Details at a Glance

Program: Alexandrina Council Small Grants Program
Funding period: 2026-27
Eligible applicants: Individuals under 25 or living with a disability
Geographic eligibility: Alexandrina Council area
South Australia grant: $200
Interstate grant: $300
Overseas grant: $400
Total program allocation: $20,000
Supported areas: Arts, culture, music, dance, sport, recreation, and community leadership
Eligible activities: Events, workshops, competitions, leadership programs, conferences, transport, and accommodation associated with eligible activities
Sport requirement: Applicants must have been selected to participate or compete
Other activity requirement: Applicants must demonstrate commitment and an intention to contribute to the Alexandrina community

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Alexandrina Council Small Grants Program?

Individuals under 25 years of age or individuals living with a disability who meet the program’s local eligibility requirements can apply.

How much funding can an applicant receive?

Applicants can receive $200 for activities in South Australia, $300 for interstate activities, or $400 for overseas activities.

What areas does the program support?

The program supports personal development in areas including arts, culture, music, dance, sport, recreation, and community leadership.

Can the grant support sporting competitions?

Yes. Sport and recreation activities can be supported, but applicants must have been selected to participate or compete.

Can the grant cover travel and accommodation?

Yes. Associated transport and accommodation costs can be supported where they relate to an eligible activity.

Do arts and leadership applicants need to demonstrate anything specific?

Yes. Applicants for activities other than sport and recreation should demonstrate a strong commitment to their field and explain how they intend to contribute their skills and knowledge to the Alexandrina community.

What is the total funding available under the program?

The Alexandrina Council Small Grants Program has a total allocation of $20,000 for 2026-27.

Conclusion

The Alexandrina Council Small Grants Program provides targeted financial assistance for young people and people living with disability to access valuable opportunities in arts, culture, sport, recreation, and community leadership. With grants of up to $400, the program helps eligible residents gain experience, develop their capabilities, and bring new skills and knowledge back to the Alexandrina community.