Golden Plains Shire grants program deadline extended

In the past: Bannockburn Men’s Shed has been the recipient of community grants provided by the Shire. Photo: FILE

THE first round of this year’s Golden Plains Shire’s Community Strengthening Grants is still open and the window for applications has been extended.

With grants for up to $10,000 on offer, the program is for not-for-profits or incorporated organisations within Golden Plans who are seeking to deliver a community benefit to Shire residents.

Areas of focus for grants need to fall into four categories.

Healthy active living is for recreation, sport, health and wellbeing projects. Creative community goes towards supporting arts and culture ideas. Environment and sustainability is focused on applications that improve the environment. While community safety will go towards projects that help make the Shire safer and more resilient.

There is a matching requirement for the Community Strengthening Grants, with groups ether having to go dollar-for-dollar or show in-kind support at the same level.

This year’s program is a revamped system, following the approval of changes by council at its February meeting.

Applications will be decided by Shire officers and not councillors.

“Council’s new community grants program will make it easier for local groups across our Shire to access the grants and deliver valuable projects and events in their communities,” said mayor Cr Owen Sharkey.

Applications for the first round of the program were originally sent to close on 1 April. However due to COVID-19 impacts, the deadline for submissions has been extended until Friday, 15 May.

Along with the not-for-profit or incorporation requirements, people seeking grants need to have discussed their application with a council officer before being considered and can’t have any outstanding projects or evaluations from municipal community grants pre the 2018/19 financial year.

For more information visit the Shire’s website or contact the community partnership officer on 5220 7220 or via [email protected].

The second round of Community Strengthening Grants will open up in September while the Shire’s new $1000 Small Grants program goes live from 1 July.