Minor grants provide major boost for community groups

Twenty-six grassroots organisations and sporting clubs across the Scenic Rim will share in a total of more than $90,000 in Council’s community grants announced today. 

Approved at today’s Ordinary Meeting, Round Two of the Minor Grants under Council’s Community Grants Program 2022-2023 provides a maximum of $5000 to each organisation with almost all projects in this round receiving full funding of the amount requested. 

The grants will provide wide-ranging benefits for organisations including the staging of community events, training for volunteers, equipment purchases and minor upgrades to community facilities.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said the allocation of almost $90,265 represented an investment by Council in local not-for-profit groups and organisations which add value to communities across the region. 

“Supported by volunteers, local organisations are vital threads in the social fabric of our communities,” he said. 

“Their events and activities that bring people together, enriching the cultural life of our region and contributing to the health and wellbeing of our residents, are well worthy of our financial support.”  

In 2020, Council streamlined its grants program by consolidating grants for community organisations and sporting and active recreational groups under the umbrella of a broader Community Grants Program to maximise value to the region. 

"Through the restructuring of the Community Grants Program, Council has been able to support a wider range of initiatives and projects that benefit local organisations and sporting groups which often share facilities as well as the goal of supporting their communities," Mayor Christensen said.

A 35 per cent boost in funding for the Community Grants Program in its 2022-2023 Budget has also enabled Council to fully fund a wider range of projects. 

In addition to direct funding through its Community Grants Program, Council also provides in-kind support to local not-for-profit organisations, subsidising the use of Council's community and cultural centres as well providing waste bins, marquees and banner signage for local community events. 

"In-kind contributions are often just as valuable as financial grants in assisting local organisations and their volunteers to continue to support their communities,” Mayor Christensen said. 

The community organisations and the projects that secured grant funding in Round Two are as follows: