Grants Hub

There are many potential sources of grants or funding for community projects.  These include; government funding (state and federal), private philanthropic organisations and even private companies who may offer sponsorship. To get you started on your grants journey click on the category below that matches your project and have a browse. If you are unsure about which category is a match contact our grants officers for some advice. 

Please note - Council does not provide funding to individuals. Twice a year applications are taken for Council's Community Funding Program. Click here for more information.

Grant Officers

Forbes Shire Council has two dedicated Grant Officers available to assist residents in finding and preparing grant applications. These officers can not only assist you to find a funding source but can give you some great tips on giving yourself the best chance of success.  Hint – number one is about committing to planning your project well before you start to even think about how you are going to pay for it!

To learn more about the grants available and other great tips make an appointment to discuss by contacting Council 02 6850 2300.

Monthly Grants Newsletter - The Grants Feed

Sign up to our Monthly Newsletter "The Grants Feed" here.

Community

These grants provide small amounts of money that organisations and community groups can use to help their volunteers. The grants form part of the State and Federal Government's work to support volunteers, as well as to encourage and increase participation in volunteering.

 
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22nd February 2021 Infrastructure Grants 
 OPEN 1st FEBRUARY 2021, The NSW Government offers grants to communities across NSW to support the building, renovation and fit-out of infrastructure. Funding is available for arts and cultural infrastructure, sport and recreation infrastructure and projects that assist communities with essential infrastructure and disaster readiness. Infrastructure Grants are made possible through the NSW Government’s Clubgrants Category 3 Fund.
23rd February 2021 Strengthening Rural Communities - FRRR  The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program aims to give the thousands of small rural, regional and remote communities across Australia an opportunity to access funding to support broad community needs. The program criteria are deliberately flexible, and designed to be able to help communities address different needs and opportunities, as and when they emerge. 
25th February 2021 Tackling Tough Times Together (TTTT) The Tackling Tough Times Together (TTTT) program gives drought-affected communities across rural, regional and remote Australia the opportunity to access funds that benefit their immediate and long-term needs. Grants are available for grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly benefit local communities. Three streams of grants are available: Up to $20,000; Up to $60,000; Up to $150,000: Applications for this tier are by Expression of Interest. Multi-year projects (up to three years) are welcomed. Projects that deliver long-term community benefits are highly regarded. EOIs for the $150K tier must be received by 5pm AEST, Thursday 15 December 2020.
28th February 2021 FSC Community Funding
The Community Funding Program is open twice annually for Not-for-profit community groups and organisations. Up to $5,000 in assistance can be accessed, for a project as either a cash contribution, in-kind support, or a combination of both (including programs, activities, events and capital works). Projects must fit into one of four categories: Sport & Recreation; Culture & The Arts; Rural Village Enhancement; Community Services.
    5th March 2021 Building Better Regions Round 5 The Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) supports the Australian Government's commitment to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities into the future.Grant funding is available through two funding streams: The Infrastructure Projects Stream: Supports projects that involve construction of new infrastructure, or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure. The Community Investments Stream: Funds community development activities including, but not limited to, new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans, leadership and capability building activities. The Guidelines for Round Five of the BBRF are now available for eligible organisations and interested parties.
    22nd March 2021 Stronger Communities  The Stronger Communities Program (SCP) provides grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 to community organisations and local governments for small capital projects that deliver social benefits for local communities. 



     

     

    Sports

    Various grants are available for encouraging sporting pursuits of all ages. They can provide funds to buy equipment and uniforms through to infrastructure and maintenance of grounds.

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    26th February 2021 Regional Sport Facility Fund The Fund will assist eligible organisations to develop quality core sport infrastructure that will meet the current and future needs of the community.The Fund will support the development of well-designed and utilised new and improved sport infrastructure projects that can directly impact and support participation and performance opportunities in sports at all levels.The Fund will focus on sporting facilities that deliver the best outcomes for the community. It will ensure that the best possible value for money is achieved. The key objectives of the program is to increase the number and type of sporting facilities, improve the standard of existing sporting facilities and increase participation in sport.
    Multiple assessment dates Local Sport Defibrillator Program

    The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program provides NSW sports clubs and councils the opportunity to acquire an AED package for their club or sports facility at a reduced cost. Sporting organisations and councils will be able to choose from a panel of approved AED Panel Service Providers and a variety of AED packaged services with the level of customer service that meets their needs.
    Grant Assessment Dates 23 November 2020, 22 February 2021 & 12 April 2021        

    Arts

    Art Grants offer support to artists in all fields of the arts to support them in creating their work, and free them up to concentrate on creating. These grants can cover all forms of the Arts including performance,collaborations, productions, publishing, recording and creative development.

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    1st March 2021 Creative Koori Projects

    Creative Koori Project funding aims to build support for a strong, resilient and exciting Aboriginal arts and cultural sector for NSW. This will be done through embracing the principles of Aboriginal self-determination and putting Aboriginal artists, organisations and communities at the centre of funded cultural and creative activity. This funding is only available to Aboriginal artists, arts and cultural workers, groups and organisations. OPEN 1st FEBRUARY 2021
    1st March 2021  Arts & Cultural Project Funding OPEN 1st FEBRUARY 2021
    Project funding supports innovation, vibrancy and creativity within the NSW arts and cultural sector. It aims to deliver a dynamic and diverse range of arts and cultural experiences to communities across NSW, contribute to the development of a vibrant and accessible arts and cultural sector, and support the employment and development of professional NSW-based artists and arts and cultural workers.
    1st March 2021 Annual Organisation: funding for Arts & Cultural Organisations  Annual Organisation funding is provided on an annual basis to support arts and cultural organisations (including service organisations) to deliver arts and cultural activities that benefit NSW. Funding is available for a wide range of activities and can contribute to any aspect of an organisation’s program throughout a single calendar or financial year. 



    Environment

    Environmental Grants can support community groups undertaking projects that will make a positive difference to the natural living environment, on land or in air, rural or urban. We will direct organisations and individuals to the right support grants available.

     

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    26th February 2021  Community Conservation Grants  The purpose of the Community Conservation Grants is to assist in the protection of native species, habitats, landscapes and cultural heritage. Grants are available for both field projects and education programs that have a direct outcome for nature conservation in Australia. All proposals are evaluated by FNPW's Projects Committee based on funding priorities, funds available and quality and quantity of projects submitted.
    Close 26th February 2021.


     

    Agriculture

    Funding, grants and assistance for agriculture industries can be found here.

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    Drought

    Funding, grants and assistance for drought affected communities can be found here.

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     Ongoing Drought Response, Resilience and Preparedness The Australian Government has released a drought response, resilience and preparedness plan. The plan is focusses on 3 themes; Immediate action for those in drought; Support for the wider communities affected by drought; Long term resilience and preparedness. Visit the website to find out more about current support available to individuals, business and communities.



    Business

    Funding, grants and assistance for businesses can be found here.

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    14 May 2021 (or when program funding has been fully allocated)

    		  Regional Job Creation Fund The Regional Job Creation Fund supports regional investment and job creation by offering up to $10 million in co-funding to activate or bring forward regional projects in engine, enabling or emerging engine industries. The Regional Job Creation Fund’s focus is to co-fund projects creating at least five sustainable regional jobs. Detailed information about the Regional Job Creation Fund, the eligibility requirements, how to apply, and the assessment process can be found in the Regional Job Creation Fund Program Guidelines.



    Grant Success Stories

    In the 2019/20 financial year, eleven grants have been successful to a total value: $6,452,382.00. We continue to strive for more success stories for our community. Please contact us if you need help with your next grant application.

    Community Group Success Story

    The Forbes Dragon Boat Club were successful in obtaining a grant through Forbes Shire Council's Community Funding Program. The club has purchased a new trailer with the funds to help them move their 10's boat in and out of the water and into storage.  Well done to those involved and happy rowing!

    Dragon Boat 2 Dragon Boat 1