Request for Proposals: Community Grants Program (Australia)

The Federation Council Community Grants Program provides up to $5,000 per application to eligible not-for-profit, community-based organisations, groups and clubs for projects that benefit residents of the Federation Council area in New South Wales. Funding supports initiatives across areas such as arts and culture, inclusion, health, sport, youth, seniors, events, learning and community wellbeing.

What Is the Federation Council Community Grants Program?

The Federation Council Community Grants Program supports local not-for-profit organisations to deliver projects, events and initiatives that strengthen the Federation Council community.

The program aims to increase community participation, encourage inclusion and improve access to recreational, social, cultural and environmental activities.

Projects should demonstrate a clear benefit to residents and align with the Federation Council Community Strategic Plan 2040 and relevant Operational Plan priorities.

What Are the Objectives of the Program?

The program is intended to strengthen the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of the local community.

Key objectives include:

• Increasing access to recreational, social, cultural and environmental activities.
• Encouraging participation and inclusion among community members.
• Supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.
• Building partnerships between community organisations and Council.
• Improving community health, wellbeing and resilience.
• Supporting volunteering, learning and skill development.
• Strengthening community connections and local pride.

What Types of Projects Are Supported?

Applicants should demonstrate how their proposal addresses one or more Council priority areas.

Potential areas include:

• Arts and culture
• Accessibility and inclusion
• Children and families
• Community work and welfare
• Events and tourism
• Health promotion
• Seniors
• Sports and recreation
• Skills development and learning
• Volunteering
• Young people

Projects can take the form of community activities, events, programs or other initiatives, provided they meet the program requirements.

How Much Funding Is Available?

The program provides:

• Up to $5,000 per application
• $40,000 total annual funding allocation

The Council does not intend to fully fund projects. Applicants are expected to demonstrate their own contribution through fundraising, financial contributions or in-kind support.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit, community-based organisations, groups or clubs.

Applicants must:

• Be incorporated or operate under the auspice of an incorporated organisation.
• Be located within, or deliver the proposed project in, the Federation Council Local Government Area.
• Primarily benefit the Federation Council community.
• Hold public liability insurance with a minimum indemnity of $20 million.
• Have satisfactorily acquitted previous Council grants.
• Have no outstanding debts to Council.

An auspicing arrangement allows an eligible incorporated organisation to formally support a group that does not itself have incorporated status.

What Projects Need to Demonstrate?

A strong application should show a clear connection between the proposed project and local community needs.

Community Benefit

Explain who will benefit and how the project will improve participation, wellbeing, inclusion, access or community connection.

Alignment With Council Priorities

Clearly identify the relevant objectives or priority areas in the Community Strategic Plan 2040 and Operational Plan.

Community Participation

Show how residents will participate in or benefit from the project.

Financial Contribution

Applicants should demonstrate that they are contributing to the project through fundraising, cash contributions or in-kind resources.

Partnerships

Projects that involve cooperation between community groups, organisations or Council can demonstrate the collaborative objectives of the program.

Why It Matters

Small community organisations often have direct knowledge of local needs but limited resources to deliver activities.

The Community Grants Program helps local groups turn community ideas into practical projects that can improve participation, wellbeing and social connection.

Funding can contribute to a wide range of local priorities, from cultural and recreational activities to initiatives supporting young people, seniors, inclusion, volunteering and community resilience.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Check that your organisation or group meets the program’s not-for-profit and community-based requirements.

If the group is not incorporated, identify an eligible incorporated organisation that can provide auspice support.

Step 2: Identify the Community Need

Clearly explain the local issue, opportunity or need that your project will address.

Identify the people or community groups who will benefit.

Step 3: Connect the Project to Council Priorities

Identify the relevant areas of the Community Strategic Plan 2040 and Operational Plan that your project supports.

Explain the connection directly rather than simply listing Council priorities.

Step 4: Develop the Project

Provide clear information about:

• What activities will be delivered.
• Who will participate.
• Where activities will occur.
• When the project will take place.
• What outcomes are expected.

Step 5: Prepare the Budget

Develop a realistic budget showing how the requested funding will be used.

Include other financial contributions, fundraising or in-kind support to demonstrate that Council funding is not the sole source of project support.

Step 6: Check Supporting Requirements

Ensure the organisation has the required $20 million public liability insurance and that any previous Council grants have been properly acquitted.

Also confirm that there are no outstanding debts to Council.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Complete and submit the application according to the current Federation Council grant requirements, including all requested project, budget and supporting information.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Focus on local impact: Clearly explain how Federation Council residents will benefit.
• Use measurable outcomes: State what the project will achieve rather than only describing activities.
• Show community need: Explain why the project is important now.
• Link to Council plans: Explicitly connect the project to relevant strategic priorities.
• Demonstrate co-contribution: Include fundraising, cash or in-kind support.
• Keep the budget realistic: Make sure requested funding is proportionate to the project.
• Identify beneficiaries: Explain which community groups will participate or benefit.
• Highlight partnerships: Show how collaboration can strengthen project delivery.
• Address inclusion: Where relevant, explain how the project will include vulnerable or underrepresented community members.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Proposing projects that do not primarily benefit the Federation Council community.
• Failing to demonstrate alignment with Council’s strategic priorities.
• Requesting Council funding as the sole source of project finance.
• Providing an unclear or incomplete budget.
• Applying without the required public liability insurance.
• Leaving previous Council grants unacquitted.
• Applying while owing outstanding debts to Council.
• Describing activities without explaining their community outcomes.
• Failing to identify the target community or beneficiaries.

Key Grant Details

• Program: Federation Council Community Grants Program
• Location: Federation Council Local Government Area, NSW, Australia
• Maximum grant: $5,000 per application
• Total annual allocation: $40,000
• Applicants: Not-for-profit community organisations, groups and clubs
• Incorporation: Incorporated organisations or groups auspiced by an incorporated entity
• Insurance: Minimum $20 million public liability insurance
• Priority areas: Arts, inclusion, families, welfare, tourism, health, seniors, sport, learning, volunteering and young people
• Community requirement: Projects must primarily benefit the Federation Council community
• Co-contribution: Applicants are expected to provide fundraising, financial or in-kind support

Frequently Asked Questions

How much funding can an organisation receive?

Eligible applicants can receive up to $5,000 per application, subject to the program’s assessment and available funding.

What is the total annual funding available?

The Community Grants Program has a total annual allocation of $40,000.

Who can apply for Federation Council community grants?

Not-for-profit community organisations, groups and clubs can apply if they are incorporated or auspiced by an incorporated organisation and meet the other eligibility requirements.

Can an unincorporated community group apply?

Yes, an unincorporated group may apply if it is auspiced by an incorporated entity that can provide the required support and accountability.

What areas can projects focus on?

Projects can address priorities including arts and culture, accessibility and inclusion, children and families, community welfare, events and tourism, health, seniors, sport and recreation, learning, volunteering and young people.

Does Council fully fund projects?

No. Applicants are expected to demonstrate some level of fundraising or financial contribution, including eligible in-kind support. Council does not intend for its grant to fully fund projects.

What insurance does an applicant need?

Applicants must hold public liability insurance with a minimum indemnity of $20 million.

Conclusion

The Federation Council Community Grants Program offers up to $5,000 to help eligible community organisations deliver projects that strengthen local participation, inclusion, wellbeing and community connection. Applicants can improve their prospects by demonstrating a clear local need, strong alignment with Council’s strategic priorities, realistic project outcomes, community benefit and a meaningful contribution of their own.