2020/21 Community Grants Program
The 2020/21 Community Grants Program provides grants of up to $10,000 to eligible individuals and organisations to support projects and initiatives that deliver direct benefit to local people, communities and the environment of the Northern Beaches Local Government Area.
Council allocated $280,000 to the 2020/21 Community Grants Program. This includes $240,000 shared between the Arts and Creativity and Community Development grants streams and $40,000 to the new Environmental grants stream.
The number of grant applications received for 2020/21 far exceeded the number that Council is able to support within the adopted budget. Due to the high number of applications, only 20 percent of the applications received have been recommended for funding. Council received the following applications to each grant stream:
| Grant stream | Applications received | Eligible applications | Eligible applications amount requested | Amount available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arts and Creativity | 135 | 121 | $808,815.17 | $192,816 |
| Community Development | 96 | 91 | $750,546.72 | |
| Environmental | 41 | 39 | $313,629.00 | $40,000 |
| Total | 272 | 251 | $1,872,990.89 | $232,816 |
The number of applications recommended for funding are shown below:
| Grant stream | Applications recommended for funding | Partial funding | Full funding | Amount recommended (ex GST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arts and Creativity | 26 | 18 | 8 | $95,150.00 |
| Community Development | 17 | 13 | 4 | $97,566.00 |
| Environmental | 13 | 10 | 3 | $40,093.00 |
| total | 56 | 41 | 15 | $232,809.00 |
The delivery date for these new projects has been extended from 30 June to 31 December 2021, in response to COVID-19. Once successful applications have been approved, the unsuccessful applicants will be notified and provided with feedback on their application.
Environmental grants stream
Council received 41 applications to the Environment grant stream with 39 applications proceeding to assessment after eligibility checks. The 39 applications requested a total of $313,629.
The Environmental grant stream had the following assessment criteria:
- Demonstrate a clear rationale for the initiative with key deliverables stated
- Addresses at least one of the funding priority areas
- Demonstrates a positive environmental impact in the short and long term including how this will be measured
- Capacity of the individual or organisation and its management to deliver a well-planned project
- Longevity of the initiative - how long will the initiative continue after the funding has been expended
- Other benefits derived including social, progress/leadership, education and economic
- Relevant qualifications and/or a demonstrated history of professional practice for all key personnel involved
- A realistic budget with all income and expenditure identified, and capacity to manage funds.
Applications recommended for funding in 2020/21
Applications recommended for funding for 2020/21 include:
| Individual or organisation | Project | Recommendation (ex GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Avalon Beach Surf Lifesaving Club Inc. | Carbon Neutral Surf Club 2023 | $4,500 |
| Collaroy Surf Life Saving Club Inc. | Solar System installation to Collaroy Surf Life Saving Club | $4,500 |
| Davidson High School Parents & Citizens Association | Border Line | $2,500 |
| Lesley Stevens | Pygmy Possum Project | $1,907 |
| Nicole Thompson | Protecting an Endangered Ecological Community and engaging our local community | $3,000 |
| Northside Enterprise Inc. | Bushlink regeneration Dee Why Sand Dunes and Wildlife Refuge | $2,840 |
| Peninsula Community Gardens Inc. | Peninsula Community Garden (Newport) Sustainable Water Usage and Maintenance Project | $1,214 |
| Permaculture Northern Beaches Inc. | The Living Soil Factory: Community Composting & Community Garden | $3,000 |
| Pittwater Natural Heritage Association | Bush Regeneration Mona Vale Dunes and Volunteer Support | $3,500 |
| The Balgowlah Bowling Club Limited | Solar System installation to Club House roof | $4,500 |
| The Catholic Parish of Frenchs Forest | Kierans Creek Rehabilitation and Revegetation | $2,390 |
| Uniting Forest Preschool Belrose (The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) | Forest Preschool Sustainability Project | $2,242 |
| Zero Emissions Sydney North Inc. | Solar My Strata - Local Case Studies | $4,000 |
Applicants will receive an email informing them of the outcome of the assessment process. Applicants recommended for funding will also receive a Funding Agreement which needs to be signed and returned before payment will be made.
Enquiries
For more information and to enquire about your application please call Vanessa Steele or Leonie Netting on 1300 434 434 or email: environmentalgrants@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
