Council has approved $280,000 in Community Development, Arts and Creativity as well as Environmental grants for this financial year.

Council’s Community Grants Program supports projects and initiatives that deliver direct benefits to the local community and the environment of the Northern Beaches. It provides grants of up to $10,000 to eligible individuals and organisations to support projects and initiatives to be delivered by 31 December 2021.

Of the $280,000 awarded, $240,000 was shared between the Arts and Creativity and Community Development grants and $40,000 went towards Environmental grants.

Council approved $95,250 in Arts and Creativity grants and $97,566 in Community Development grants. In the previous financial year, five grants were awarded for funding over three years. $47,184 was allocated this year for the second year of this multi-year funding.

Mayor Regan said the number of grant applications received this year far exceeded Council’s grants allocation in the budget.

“We received more than $1.8 million in eligible applications to come from an allocated budget of $280,000, so it was super competitive. We were only able to fund about 20% of the eligible applications. There were many quality submissions, so some difficult decisions needed to be made.

“We believe COVID has had an obvious impact contributing significantly to the high level of applications this year. In the past six months, we have seen an increased demand for community-based programs and activities in the areas of mental health, community support services and in the creative sector.

“The funding of these grants will have a significant positive impact on our local community.”

Council’s Community Grants Program commenced in 2018/19.

Media Enquiries: media@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 9942 2678