New streamlined grants program provides increased funding opportunities

Council's goal in 2020-21 is to streamline and consolidate its grants, for community organisations and sporting and active recreational groups into one grants program, to be known as Scenic Rim Community Grants Program, that will provide more flexibility and deliver greater benefits to the Scenic Rim.

Council’s 2020-21 Budget provides $295,000 for Council’s new-look Community Grants Program, which combines sport and active recreation grants with community grants to provide a wider range of funding opportunities for not-for-profit organisations across the region.

Mayor Greg Christensen said Council was pleased to support grassroots community groups and not-for-profit sporting and recreational organisations that contribute greatly to the Scenic Rim's liveability.

“Council recognises the value in providing financial and in-kind assistance to local organisations, which rely heavily on volunteers who give so generously of their time and devote much of their energy to making a difference to their communities,” he said.

“The new Community Grants Program takes into account the needs of our rural and regional townships, where community and sporting groups often share the same facilities and have common goals.

“Broadening the grants eligibility criteria will enable us to support a wider range of community initiatives, providing a greater community benefit.

“These grants contribute to building and strengthening the social fabric of our communities and support healthy, engaged and resourceful communities, one of the pillars of the Scenic Rim Community Plan.”

Grants applications will be streamlined in 2020-21 as Council transitions to SmartyGrants, an online grants management platform, which is used by many Australian and Queensland Government departments and many local governments.

SmartyGrants eliminates the need for paper-based applications and offers the benefit of greater efficiencies for Council as well as grant applicants.

“I encourage community and sporting groups of all sizes to consider applying for funding assistance which will add value to the greater Scenic Rim community and I look forward to seeing the many exciting and innovative projects that our new Community Grants Program will support over the coming year,” Cr Christensen said.