Community grants

Applications are open to: 

• Incorporated not-for-profit organisations with an ABN 
• Registered charities 
• Crown Land Managers (Crown Reserve Trusts) 
• Unincorporated community groups applying through an eligible auspice organisation 

See pages 8-9 of the Community Grants Program Guidelines for full eligibility requirements. 

Any project, program, activity and/or event that provides a clear community benefit and meets the goals of the chosen category. 

Funding categories include Community Initiatives, Creative Macleay, Sporting, Environmental and Micro Grants. 

Applications are assessed against the funding category goals, community benefit, demonstrated need or opportunity, project feasibility, value for money, and the applicant's capacity to deliver. 

See the Community Grants Program Guidelines for funding objectives, eligible expenses and examples of eligible projects.

Funding will generally not be provided for projects that: 

• Have already started or been completed 
• Primarily benefit an individual or operate for commercial profit 
• Are the responsibility of another government agency 
• Have already received funding for the same purpose 
• Are primarily political or religious in nature 

See the Community Grants Program Guidelines for a full list of ineligible projects and expenses. 

If you are seeking funding for an item, activity or expense that is not addressed in the Guidelines, please contact Council before applying.

• A current Certificate of Currency for Public Liability Insurance
• A financial statement for the most recently completed financial year (for organisations that have been operating for more than 12 months).
• Quotes for any individual budget items over $1,000 for which grant funding is requested.

Additional documentation may be required depending on the nature of the project. 

See page 9 of the Community Grants Program Guidelines for full supporting documentation requirements.

An auspice organisation is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation or registered charity that applies for funding on behalf of an unincorporated community group. 

The auspice organisation accepts legal and financial responsibility for the grant, including management of grant funds and reporting requirements. 

If your group is not incorporated and requires an auspice organisation, please contact Council's Community Development Team for advice. 

See page 8 of the Community Grants Program Guidelines for full auspicing requirements.

Applicants may submit more than one application. However, Council will generally only give one Community Grant to each applicant organisation, during each funding round. This is done to support a fair distribution of funding across the community. 

This limitation does not apply to organisations acting as an auspice for an eligible unincorporated community group. 

Where multiple applications are submitted, Council may determine which application best aligns with the funding objectives, assessment criteria and available funding. 

Projects involving works on privately owned land or Council owned/managed land may be subject to additional requirements.

This may include: 

• Written landowner consent.
• Evidence of tenure arrangements (lease, licence, etc).
• A letter of support from the relevant Council department.  

Applicants are encouraged to contact Council early, before starting an application, to clarify any project requirements. 

Requests for a letter of support for projects on Council-owned or Council-managed land must be submitted at least 10 business days before the grant application closing date. 

See pages 9–10 of the Community Grants Program Guidelines for further information.