Andrew Leigh

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM 

EMAIL YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO [email protected] by 26 February 2021.

Expressions of interest are open now for the sixth round of grants in the Stronger Communities Programme.

If you have a project that will increase community participation and contribute to the vibrancy and vitality of Canberra's Northside, a Stronger Communities grant could help make it a reality.

Grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 are available for small capital works projects that meet the goals of the programme. Grant funding will be up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs, except for local governing bodies, where grant funding will be up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. Local governing bodies must provide matched funding contributions towards their eligible project.

Spread the word. You'll get a sense of the scope of the programme from the details below. A link to a more detailed overview of the programme can be found at the end of this page.

I'm looking forward to supporting some great community building projects again in this round.

Please get in touch with Tara my office on (02) 6247 4396 or [email protected] if you want to discuss the programme in more detail.

The earlier you make contact, the smoother the process will progress.

Please note that while the Department's website states 22 March as being the cut-off date, this date applies for the MPs office to nominate projects, not for organisations to submit their expressions of interest to our office.

Key aspects of this funding programme:

• MPs will establish a community consultation committee to undertake consultation in their electorate to identify eligible projects and invite applicants to apply;
• Local government and incorporated not-for-profit organisations are eligible to apply;

• Grant funding will be up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs, except for local governing bodies, where grant funding will be up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. Local governing bodies must provide matched funding contributions towards their eligible project.

To get you thinking, here are some examples of the kinds of project the grants would support:

• construction and fit-out of men’s sheds;
• fit-out of community centres, health centres including kitchen upgrades and equipment purchases such as computers, TVs and furniture and fittings;
• sporting facility upgrades including new scoreboards, seating, new turf, fit-out out of changes rooms, new canteen, new lights, upgrade water systems, gymnasiums, skate parks
• streetscapes;
• bike paths;
• upgrade or installation of park furniture;
• purchase of equipment for local SES.

Here are some further guidelines that will help you work out if your project is eligible for a grant:

To be eligible for funding an Applicant must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be one of the following incorporated entities:

• Incorporated not for profit organisation
• An incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust with responsibility for a community asset or property
• A local governing body as defined by the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995.
  • For the purpose of this programme, the ACT Government is considered a local governing body

You must also have a plan for how you will carry out the project.

The following organisations are not eligible for funding:

• a for-profit organisation;
• an individual;
• a partnership;
• a Commonwealth government agency or body;
• a university, technical college, school or hospital; or
• a Regional Development Australia Committee

To be eligible for funding a project must:

• be for a capital works or capital expenditure project that delivers social benefits to your community;
• contribute to an improvement in local community participation and cohesion and contribute to the vibrancy and viability of the community o claims against this requirement must be described;
• Be undertaken in the project period;
• Take place in the Federal Electorate of Fenner.

The following items are ineligible for funding:

• business as usual activities, including payment of salaries for existing staff or contractors and recurring or ongoing expenditure (eg annual maintenance);
• provision of services and support activities;
• projects that seek funding to stage events, exhibit a display or for filming;
• projects to undertake studies or investigations;
• purchase of land or buildings; or
• projects that involve the development of private or commercial ventures including licensed areas of registered clubs

Please read the Grant Opportunity Guidelines here before submitting an expression of interest.

This grant programme is administered by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science (on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure Regional Development and Cities). The departmental guidelines can be found at https://www.business.gov.au/Assistance/Stronger-Communities-Programme.