Time to apply for Council's Annual Grants

Local community groups, individuals and small businesses will have more time to complete their funding applications in Wagga Wagga City Council’s Annual Grant Program 20/21.

Considering the major disruption during COVID-19, the deadline for funding applications has been extended by three weeks to allow potential applicants to complete their submissions.

The new closing date for applications is Monday 25 May (previously 4 May) and a series of online information sessions have been scheduled to assist community members to develop and finalise their submissions.

This year’s Annual Grants program will deliver to $227,000 into the local community.

“This is about giving our local community groups, organisations and small businesses the best opportunity to get their submissions together in the current circumstances,” Director Community Janice Summerhayes said.

“The pandemic has changed the way we all have to do things at the moment, and Council is accommodating these circumstances by ensuring everyone has the chance to put together an application and have that opportunity to succeed.

“Our online information sessions will also be supported by grants administrators who can be contacted by phone or email if people are not comfortable using the online meeting arrangements.”

The online information sessions, to be conducted through Zoom, will be held between 28 April and 1 May.

Interested people can register for the online sessions by emailing grants@wagga.nsw.gov.au or calling Customer Service on 1300 292 442.

More information can also be accessed at wagga.nsw.gov.au/grants or via Council’s facebook page with information about specific sessions.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said the Annual Grants program 20/21 is one of the most popular and well supported funding programs available through Council.

“There has been some fantastic programs and projects funded previously through our Annual Grants program,” Cr Conkey said.

“I would encourage groups, organisations, individuals and small businesses to pursue the program as there has been some real success stories emerge from the opportunities made available.

“We are a vibrant and diverse community and this program supports that ethos in every way.”

Last year’s Annual Grant Program supported 57 community projects and programs. There are  10 grant categories: Recreational Facilities, Community Programs & Projects, Neighbourhood and Rural Villages, Rural Halls, Arts, Culture & Creative Industries, Local Heritage, Events, Natural Environment, Youth Led Initiatives and Small Business.

“There was a real mix of projects and initiatives in the last round of funding, all of which aligned with Wagga View 2040, our Community Strategic Plan, and Council’s ongoing commitment to helping foster a growing, vibrant community,” Cr Conkey said.

More than half of the submissions to the Annual Grants Program in 2019/20 were made by first-time applicants, while the new Small Business category introduced last year was well-supported with a majority of the applications by female entrepreneurs.

Applications close: Monday 25 May at 4pm

More information: wagga.nsw.gov.au/grants

Grant categories and funding amounts available

• Community Programs & Projects ($500 - $5000)
• Recreational Facilities ($500 - $7500)
• Neighbourhood & Rural Villages ($1000 - $5000)
• Rural Halls ($5000 - $10,000)
• Arts, Culture and Creative Industries ($1000 - 5000)
• Local Heritage ($500 - $10,000)
• Events ($500 - $7,500)
• Natural Environment ($500 - $3,000)
• Youth Led Initiatives ($500 - $3,000)
• Small Business ($1000 - $10,000)

IMAGE: Tayla Martin