Community Development Grants
The Australian government provides various types of community development grants for both SMEs and Not For Profit (NFP) organisations working in separate fields. These grants are aimed at improving certain conditions prevailing in a community or to develop the quality of living of a community as a whole. In this section, we will discuss some of these grants and their eligibility criteria.
One of the grants provided by the Federal Government encourages SMEs and NFPs with funds ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 to support community engagement in activities related to scientific research. To be eligible for this grant, the applicant should have an ABN and must be one of the following:
- A business incorporated in Australia
- A research firm
- A publicly-funded research organisation
- An Incorporated NFP organisation
- Local government body
Apart from the above, the project to be funded should be related to science and involve community participation.
The Australian government also encourages community organisations to make use of renewable energy by providing them with community grants ranging from $2,500 to $12,500 to put up solar panels, store batteries, make use of solar water systems, etc. If the total budget exceeds $12,500, the organisations have to bear the extra costs on their own. To be eligible, businesses should be:
- Community organisations/SMEs
- A legal entity ready to enter into an agreement with Common Wealth
- ABN Holder
- Have at least $2,500 in expenditure funds
Another grant that is available for both SMEs and NFPs in this category funds up to $50,000 to help identify, conserve and promote heritage. These types of grants are available in certain states only. Available funding is divided into two categories.
In the first category, services or products that involve community celebrations and heritage promotion across the territories/states are eligible to receive funding of $10,000 to $50,000.
In the second category, interpretation projects related to State Heritage Registered(SHR) items repair and maintenance, the owner or the organisations supporting the owner of the item are eligible to receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $40,000. To be eligible for this grant, the applicant must be:
- An individual, or
- A consultant, or
- A community, or
- An organisation (supported by the owner of SHR, if applying under the second category)
- Local government body
One more grant provided by the state governments allows SMEs and NFPs to organise events capable of creating interest both at the state as well as national level. Under this grant an applicant can claim up to $10,000 in matching funds. To be eligible, the applicant must be an incorporated organisation, based in the state providing the grant and should not be receiving any major funds from the other event partners.
Above mentioned are only some of the many grants that federal and state governments are providing to encourage community development. If you are a community organisation or an SME looking forward to undertaking projects for the benefit of community, located especially in the regional areas, you may be eligible to receive one of these community development grants. For more information on your eligibility, please speak to one of our advisors today.
