There is so much amazing work being done by community and recreation groups all over the beautiful Adelaide Hills we're thrilled to announce that our Council grants are available again to help community organisations have an even bigger impact.
Acting Mayor Nathan Daniell says the annual grants program reflects Council's commitment to helping our local communities build connections and resilience, so this year he expects a focus on recovery opportunities.
"Given the huge impact of the Cudlee Creek Bushfire and COVID-19 across our district, this year's funding program has been expanded to include recovery and rebuild initiatives. This change will assist our local groups and clubs in recovering from these two significant events and empower them to rebuild stronger than ever before."
Two types of grants are available for local initiatives that make a positive contribution to our committed and hard-working communities and they can be for projects as diverse as hiring a local artist to create a logo to lighting for a sporting oval.
Community Development Grants provide financial assistance up to $2,500 to assist local non-profit community groups and organisations establish and deliver innovative projects or activities that produce positive outcomes. Grants for arts and cultural development, community wellbeing, lifelong learning, active lifestyles, environment, Aboriginal culture and heritage and COVID-19 and Cudlee Creek bushfire recovery are available.
Community and Recreation Facilities Grants support not-for-profit community organisations deliver improvements or upgrades to facilities that will contribute to the development of sport and recreation services. Minor facility development grants are available for up to $9,999 (no matched funding required) or major facility development grants of up to $40,000 with matched funding. There are also grants available for facility planning up to $20,000 without matched funding.
Community and Cultural Development Officer, Lynne Griffiths, says the development grants are delivering really great outcomes by supporting community organisations and groups to make the projects they care about happen.
"We are really interested in connecting with our community and supporting projects that are community lead so I would encourage everyone to get involved," Lynne says.
"And this year we are also hoping to see applications that support bushfire recovery and help relieve some of the stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Put your application together and give it a go - we are looking for projects that help build physical spaces as well as supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our hard-working communities."
A huge range of fabulous projects are funded with last year's Community Development Grants delivering $44,109 to 21 local community groups and a further $105,000 to 18 groups through the Community and Recreation Facility Grants program.
Community Development Projects last year included the Gumeracha Main Street Project Inc. that received $950 to put towards the graphic design and first print run of a gorgeous Tourist Map.
Gumeracha Main Street Project member, Chelsea Lewis (pictured), says adding the grant to the money already invested meant they could support local artists to contribute to the design and artwork of the brochure.
"We worked with Peramangk Elder Ivan-Tiwu Copley who showed us where all the waterholes are and designed the waterhole symbol on the brochure and we entered into a partnership agreement with Adelaide Hills artist Rebecca Prince to use her leaf artwork as an ongoing brand mark," Chelsea says.
"Every community knows where the gaps are, and if they are having conversations together about what the solutions are, I think a grant can help them deliver the solutions.
"It is really easy to apply for the grants - the questions are simple and there aren't too many of them - so give it a go."
Sport and Recreation Officer, Stacey Dutton, is part of the team working to make it as easy as possible for groups to apply for sport and recreation grant funding during these challenging times.
"Our community has been heavily impacted by bushfires and COVID, with income streams taking a hit," Stacey says.
"Our sporting and community groups play a key role and provide such a valuable positive contribution to the hills community and these grants are a great opportunity for groups to improve or upgrade their facilities."
