City invites applications to community grants program

THE City of Greater Geelong’s Community Investment and Support Fund grants for 2018-19 are now open.

The grants are open to not-for-profit community groups and organisations to undertake projects that benefit the wider Greater Geelong community.

Six funding categories are available:

• Healthy and Connected Communities
• Environment and Sustainability
• Creative Communities (Arts and Festivals)
• Major Heritage Fund
• Geelong Children’s Week grants
• Community Facility and Infrastructure Fund

Applications close on August 13, excluding the Geelong Children’s Week grants, which close July 31.

There will be up to $300,000 for major infrastructure projects at council-owned community and sporting facilities, up to $50,000 for planning future infrastructure projects, and up to $400 for Geelong Children’s Week events (October 20-28).

Up to $6,000 is available for community projects and events that focus on improving health and wellbeing; environment and sustainability projects; and grants for arts projects and projects festivals.

Up to half of the cost of improvement works on heritage building facades in central Geelong will be funded.

The grants are designed to help the Geelong region achieve its 30-year community led vision for a Clever and Creative future through a consistent approach to getting things done and collaborating to create opportunities to address challenges in the community.

“Community Investment and Support Fund projects and events help create the successful community many of us enjoy today and also provide many benefits for others in our community,” mayor Bruce Harwood said.

“Last year more than 125 organisations benefitted from Community Investment and Support Fund projects as they delivered a range of important projects that benefit our community and region across each category.

“I’d urge not-for-profit community groups and other eligible organisations to submit their applications.”

For more information, guidelines and to submit an application, head geelongaustralia.com.au/grants.