Council supersizes Community Grants

Council has more than doubled this grant program by adding an additional category for infrastructure and assets.

Funding is now available for small equipment (up to $1500), community initiatives, programs, events and upgrades (up to $7500) and minor infrastructure and assets (up to $30,000).

For round one of this funding program, $130,000 is available for small equipment and community grants and $150,000 is available for minor infrastructure/assets grants.

Round one is now open and closes on midnight, October 4, 2019.  The second and final round (also worth $280,000) will then open on October 7 and will close on May 1, 2020.

Cr Fran Mann said council was excited to be able to offer support to community groups and not-for-profits in the form of larger grants for infrastructure and assets.

“Many not-for-profit organisations have projects they’d like to undertake for the benefit of the community, but those projects can seem daunting and unrealistic with the group’s current resources,” Cr Mann said.

“These grants give them the funds to tackle those bigger projects,” she said.

“For example, an organisation can apply for a grant towards concept development and planning in the first round of grants and then apply for grants the following financial year to help implement the project.”

To be eligible for a minor infrastructure and assets grant, the group or organisation must be able to make a 25 per cent financial or in-kind contribution to the project.

Cr Mann said numerous community groups had benefited from community grants in the past, and this extra category would really open a host of opportunities.

“There is a lot of flexibility in this grant program – the biggest prerequisite is that the project, program or event provides a benefit for residents in the community,” she said. “The use of local businesses or contractors to complete any projects also has weighting in the selection process as per council’s buy-local policy.”

For more info or to apply, head to mackay.smartygrants.com.au/CG1920