Applications for the second round of Council’s Community Strengthening Grants program are open from today.
Following a successful first round of Council’s revamped grants program, Community Strengthening Grants of up to $10,000 are available again in four categories:
- Healthy Active Living – to support recreation, sport, health and wellbeing projects
- Creative Community – to support arts and culture projects
- Environment and Sustainability – to support projects that improve the environment
- Community Safety – to support projects that equip communities to be safe and resilient
Community groups must match the amount of funding sought, either in cash or through in-kind contributions, such as volunteer work on the project. To be eligible to apply, organisations must be:
- Not-for-profit or equivalent;
- Incorporated or auspiced by an incorporated entity;
- Have no outstanding projects or evaluations from community grants pre 2018/19; and
- Have discussed the project with a Council officer prior to submission
Applications open today for five weeks and will close on Monday, 21 September 2020. All applications must be submitted online at goldenplains.smartygrants.com.au. Guidelines for each grant category can be found at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/grants.
Community groups are encouraged to contact Council’s Community Partnership Officer to discuss their ideas, how their projects can keep communities connected and safe during these difficult times, and a flexible timeline for delivery of events and projects. Residents and community groups can contact Council’s Community Partnerships Officer at 5220 7220 or email [email protected].
In the first round of this year’s program, Council awarded a combined $74,284 to 16 community organisations, ranging from sport and recreation clubs, environment groups, history groups, and community coordinators, as well as a CFA Brigade. These grants will support a variety of programs, including protecting biodiversity in local reserves, improving community sporting facilities, and helping children deal with the impacts of family violence trauma.