Annual Grants Program recipients share in $175,000 in funding

Annual Grants Program recipients share in $175,000 in funding - 27 July 2015

Seventy-one community groups, individuals and organisations have received a shot in the arm with the announcement of Council’s Annual Grants Program recipients.

The grants program provides an annual funding opportunity for the Wagga Wagga Local Government area and aims to support local community-based groups, with $175,000 on offer across six categories.

This year’s program generated a wealth of interest from the community, with a huge 52 per cent increase in applications compared to the 2014/15 program. More than $326,000 worth of funding requests were made, a 43 per cent increase on last year’s program figures.

“Council is supporting a wide variety of projects this financial year, from self-defence classes for high school students to helping produce a book about the life stories of elderly Aboriginal people,” Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Rod Kendall said.

“The grants are a commitment to harnessing the creative power within our area to consolidate activities in the region and to help create a strong, creative community.”

“It’s encouraging to see such a strong response to the grants program and I encourage everyone to start thinking about ideas for next year’s program.”

Funding priorities for the Annual Grants Program are aligned with the Community Strategic Plan, Ruby & Oliver.

The grants program opened on 16 Match and closed on 31 May. Applications were assessed by grant specific panels comprising of a Councillor, Council staff and an independent representative.

A presentation evening for successful applicants has been planned to be held on 20 August at the Civic Theatre.

Applications were considered under the following categories:

 Community Health and Wellbeing

 Connected Rural and Urban Communities

 Arts & Culture

 Local Heritage

 Events

 Sustainable Environments

Below is a listing of the successful recipients of the 2015/16 Annual Grants:

Community Health and Wellbeing Grants