Up to $186,000 on offer in Council’s Annual Grants Program

Wagga Wagga City Council will invest up to $186,000 in local community projects as part of its Annual Grants Program 2018-19.

Applications open on Monday 19 March, with community organisations, groups and individuals able to apply for a share of the funding.

The Annual Grants Program funding categories include Community Health & Wellbeing; Connected Rural & Urban Communities; Arts and Culture; Local Heritage; Events; and Natural Environment. A new category, Youth Led Initiatives, will also be available subject to Council endorsement in the 2018/19 budget.

“Council’s Annual Grants Program is a great opportunity for everyone in our community, whether they live in the city, in a village or rural area,” Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga

Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said.

“Through our grants program, we can support a wide range of services and activities that build community capacity, foster social networks and information exchange, facilitate cooperation and build on existing community strengths.

“It’s part of Council’s ongoing commitment to developing a vibrant and diverse community in line with the goals of the Wagga View, Community Strategic Plan 2040, which marked its first anniversary recently.”

Applications for the Annual Grants Program open on 19 March and close on 14 May, with a grants consultation session to be held on 12 April where a staff member for each category will be able to help applicants with the process.

Sixty-four community projects were made possible through last year’s grants program, including funding for a women’s self-defence workshop, the 2017 NSW Penny Farthing Championships, outdoor movie nights, the Wagga Wagga Women’s Shed and more.

Cr Conkey said the Annual Grants Program has grown in popularity each year and looked forward to seeing the range of projects awarded funding for 2018/19 and the positive impact they will have on the community.

“The response to the grants program has been growing every year,” he said. “I encourage anyone interested to attend the information session to learn more about the process and discuss their application with the relevant grants officer for their category.”

The Annual Grants Program has been developed to align with the Wagga View, Community Strategic Plan 2040 and applications must identify the key guiding principle the proposed project or service relates to.

Application forms and grant guidelines are available at the upcoming workshop, at the Civic Centre and online at www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/grants.

Annual Grants Program 2018/19

Applications open: 19 March

Grant consultation session: 12 April, 4pm to 6pm

Application close: Noon, Monday 14 May 2018

Assessment process: June-July

Grants awarded: August

To make an application, access the guidelines or see last year’s recipients, visit www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/grants.

Grant categories and funding amounts available

• Community Health & Wellbeing - Community Programs & Projects ($500 - $3000)
• Community Health & Wellbeing - Recreational Facilities ($500 - $7500)
• Connected Rural & Urban Communities - Neighbourhood & Rural Villages ($500 - $3000)
• Connected Rural & Urban Communities - Rural Halls ($5000 - $10,000)
• Arts and Culture ($1000 - $4000)
• Local Heritage ($500 - $12,000)
• Events ($500 - $3000)
• Natural Environment ($500 - $2500)
• Youth Led Initiatives ($500 - $3000) (Note: this category is subject to Council endorsement of the 2018/19 budget. Applications in this category will be asked for a second category option to ensure all submissions can be assessed.)