Funding chance for community groups

APPLICATIONS are now open for the Golden Plains Shire’s Community Strengthening Grants Program 2021.

The grants aim to support community group projects across four the categories of Healthy Active Living, Creative Community, Environment and Sustainability, and Community Safety.

Contributions of up to $10,000 are available under the Shire-run scheme, with groups having to match the amount of money they receive, through cash or in-kind donations.

Mayor Cr Helena Kirby said the program “will help deliver dynamic and meaningful projects” across the municipality.

“The Community Strengthening Grants are a valuable source of financial support for local events, projects and programs in our 56 townships and we look forward to receiving many great grant applications in April,” she said.

“This year, more than ever, we hope that our community groups will have a range of wonderful ideas for projects that will bring our communities together and strengthen our local recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In 2020, Council granted more than $145,000 to 33 community groups across two rounds of the program.

The Inverleigh Golf Club received just under $10,000 in the second round of the last year and have since used the funding to start the second stage of their irrigation project.

Secretary of the Inverleigh Golf Club Dianne Morgan said the irrigation works could not have been funded without the grants.

“We’re a volunteer-run club and our membership fees aren’t too expensive, so we’re always in need of financial help to fund our projects,” she said.

“The Inverleigh Golf Club is so grateful to council for the funding we received. We wouldn’t have been able to get any projects underway without that kind of help.”

Applications are open now and will close at 5pm, Friday 30 April.  For more information or to apply for the program, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/grants.