Living Here
Community Development Funding
Applicants to Grassroots, Elevator and Strategic project grants must align to the following funding objectives.
These funding objectives align to Councils Community Development Strategy which aims to strengthen and enhance the health and wellbeing of the region:
- Capacity - aims to foster community led collaboration and partnerships, initiatives, programs and projects that help communities develop their own solutions to local areas of need. Initiatives and activities under this objective will generally strengthen and build the skills, knowledge, and capacity of community members and groups which can then be applied and shared.
- Place - aims to foster the development of accessible, fulfilling, and engaging places and spaces for community. This will be achieved through supporting the delivery of community led Initiatives, projects and activities that activate Council controlled or community owned and operated facilities, parks and open spaces.
- Connect - aims to foster community led initiatives and projects that strengthen relationships, community connection, civic participation and understanding across all sectors of the community.
- Wellbeing - aims to foster healthy, safe, and supported communities through the delivery of community led partnerships, programs, activities, and resources that promote healthy lifestyles, positive wellbeing, and safe communities.
- Planning - aims to foster and support the development of programs, plans and strategies that strengthen the community’s ability to deliver well planned and sustainable organisations, facilities and activities across the region.
Through the Grassroots Fund applicants can request funding up to $10,000 to strengthen their community or organisations to develop and/or deliver initiatives, programs, or projects that meet one of the Grassroots Fund objectives.
- Applicants can apply up to a maximum of $10,000 (excluding GST)
- Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.
To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.
The Elevator Fund is intended for higher cost, higher risk proposals between $10,000 to $30,000, which will involve a more detailed application and acquittal process than the Grassroots Fund. Applicants will need to demonstrate a high level of competency, capacity and planning capability to deliver the stated outcomes for Elevator proposals.
- Applicant’s proposals will have to align with one or more of the five Elevator Fund Objectives.
- Applicants can apply for funding between $10,000 to $30,000 (excluding GST)
- Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.
To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.
The purpose of the Strategic Projects Fund is to strengthen not for profit organisations through the provision of financial support to upgrade existing or build new facilities where the organisation has suitable land tenure as defined in the supporting guidelines.
- Projects must align to one of the funding Objectives.
- Applicants can apply up to a maximum of $100,000 (excluding GST)
- Applicationts must be able to make a 20% co-contribution to the project.
- Applicants must attend an information session to be eligible to apply.
- Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.
To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.
Event funding - the Community Celebration Fund
The Community Celebration Fund enables the development and delivery of initiatives and projects that facilitate community connection through events. Applications should demonstrate the event’s alignment to the following objectives:
- Drives Social and Community outcomes, including community pride and cohesion
- Destination enhances the profile and appeal of the Gladstone Region
- Demonstrates Financial Sustainability
- Demonstrates Environmental Sustainability and environmental care
- Economic Impact generates economic activity in the Gladstone Region
- Attracts Overnight Visitation specifically generating overnight visitor expenditure.
Applications will be considered under the following event categories and may include a cash component and/or an in-kind contribution.
Support for community led events that are run by community organisations for broad public benefit.
- Applicants can apply all year round but must submit application eight (8) weeks prior to the event.
- Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.
To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.
Support for events that attract up to 2,500 participants and contribute to community pride, social outcomes and regional economy.
- Applications must be received no less than 12 weeks prior to the event.
- Applicants can apply up to a maximum of $10,000 (excluding GST).
- Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.
To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.
Support for events that demonstrate tourism and regional economy benefits by attracting 2,500 to 5,000 participants, with 10% out-of-region visitor attendance.
- Applicants can apply up to a maximum of $25,000 (excluding GST)
- Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.
To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.
Support for events that are well established, well designed, and clearly demonstrate return on investment through building community pride, return visitation, increase regional profile, and generate economic stimulus. Events attract over 5,000 participants, with 15% out-of-region visitor attendance.
- Applicants can apply up to a maximum of $50,000 (excluding GST)
- Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.
To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.
Support for events that drive the primary criteria of destination profile, economic impact and overnight visitor expenditure. Attracting visitors that invest in the region and target over 25% out-of-region visitor attendance.
- Applicants can apply all year round but must submit application six months prior to the event.
- Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.
To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.
Is your group or organisation looking for funding? The Community Investment Program has a range of funding on offer 2024/25.
Check eligibility and funding dates
