CFAs: Community Matching Grants Program (Australia)

The Community Matching Grant Scheme will support the development and implementation of community activities and projects, and is part of Council’s Community Development Framework.

Objectives

• The intention of the funding is to facilitate projects which achieve some or all of the following objectives:
  • build new social connections and partnerships within communities, or reinforce those that already exist
  • encourage participation in community activities and organizations
  • enable community members to acquire or develop a new skill
  • create, renew or revitalize places and spaces within the community.

Funding Information

• There is a total funding pool of $30,500.00 available. Individual grants of up to $5,000 are available for successful applicants to conduct activities.

Eligible Activities

• Funded activities will:
  • occur in Greater Shepparton between the timeframes stated
  • provide an inclusive, safe and accessible outcome for the community of Greater Shepparton
  • demonstrate effective partnerships and show broad community support i.e. with other groups and/or across interest groups
  • deliver value for money and show sustainability beyond Council’s funding
  • be well developed, and have reasonable indicators of success for the outcomes expected
  • acknowledge Greater Shepparton City Council as sponsors of the project receiving funding
  • invite relevant Council Officers and/or Councillors to any event, launch, or celebration of the funded project

Ineligible Activities

• The following activities will not be funded:
  • events and activities not held within the activity timeframes
  • events and activities held outside the Greater Shepparton municipality
  • applications received after the closing date
  • applicants who have previously been funded by Council and have failed to comply with the financial, project monitoring and/or reporting requirements
  • projects that are clearly a duplication of an existing service.
  • fundraising activities
  • ongoing project expenses, or for projects which have already commenced, or projects that have been completed.
  • projects and activities that are discriminatory in any way, or contravene any legislation.

Eligibility Criteria

• All applicants’ activities must be primarily based in Greater Shepparton
• Not-for-profits, incorporated bodies, co-operatives or associations
• Registered charitable organizations
• Unincorporated bodies with an auspice
• Schools and learning institutions – only for activities that are not curriculum based and the primary benefit is for the wider community.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Applicants that have received funding from this grant in the current financial year that are applying for more than one activity
• Funding for project studies, business cases, or feasibility studies
• Individuals without an ABN
• Individual/Sole Traders (entity type with Australian Business Register)
• For profits, commercial entities, registered businesses
• Applicants with outstanding acquittals for grant funding from Greater Shepparton City Council (including auspices)
• Applicants with outstanding debts or arrears to Greater Shepparton City Council or in legal proceedings with Council
• An organization involved in legal proceedings relating to winding up its operations, or experiencing insolvency or bankruptcy (this includes any legal bankruptcy – related actions against the organizations directors or officers).

Assessment Criteria

• The Assessment Panel will consider the following:
  • Does the activity meet the objectives of the program
  • Does the activity have a broad community benefit
  • Is the activity well planned and feasible within the timeframes provided and show sustainability beyond Council’s funding
  • Evidence that the activity will be well supported by the community
  • Evidence that the activity will be inclusive and accessible for the whole community
  • Is there a matching component
  • Does the intended activity align with the following strategic documents:
    • Greater Shepparton City Councils Plan
    • Other Master Plan or other Council Strategy.

For more information, visit Greater Shepparton City Council.