Not-for-profit organisations across the Southern Downs have the opportunity to secure a share of $367,000 this financial year with the Southern Downs Regional Council allocating an additional $92,000 in the Budget for the 2018- 19 Grants to Community.

The Southern Downs Regional Council supports a number of community-based not-for-profit organisations with its projects or activities annually through its Grants to Community funding programs, available to established, new or emerging community groups. Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie said she is delighted Council has made extra funding available to the region’s non-for-profit organisations this financial year. In 2017, 98 grant applications were made, and of those, 66 were successful in securing funding. Council hopes the additional funding allocation in the 2018/2019 Budget will help even more community groups to deliver their projects or activities.

As a part of the 2018-19  grant allocations, two funding streams will be available. The Community Grant, available for applications from not-for-profit organisations with projects related to community development, events, facilities, or lifestyle, will be capped at $10,000 per applicant per financial year. Round One will open on 25 July 2018 and close on 22 August 2018. The Fast Grant, which provides small amounts of financial assistance for projects or activities that will benefit the Southern Downs communities, will be capped at $2000 per applicant per financial year. The Fast Grant is open for applications all financial year or until the budgeted funding allocation has been depleted.

Three additional items are also now eligible for funding: Hire of Council’s Parks, Hire of Council’s Public Halls and Private Works (i.e. labour, plant & materials) via Council or a Private Contractor. “Many Southern Downs not-for-profit’s would jump at the chance of a financial injection to assist them with their tireless work enriching and enhancing our communities, so I encourage them to visit Council’s website and start their grant application as soon as possible,” Cr Dobie said.

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