Council has announced the recipients of its Community Funding Scheme (CFS) grant program for 2022-23 with twenty-one local community groups receiving a share of $174,868 in funding.
The Community Funding Scheme provides funds to not-for-profit community groups for programs and initiatives that benefit residents of the Macedon Ranges and help achieve the Community Vison and Council Plan goals.
Funding is allocated under four streams including: community and cultural development projects, enhancing the effectiveness of local community groups, supporting local environmental priorities, and enhancing community places and infrastructure.
The program provides an opportunity for community groups to source funding to support programs and initiatives that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson said not-for-profit community groups rely heavily on grants and fundraising from the local community for projects and facility upgrades. The challenges of the last couple of years with the pandemic and rising costs of living have made these funds more difficult for these groups to obtain.
"The Community Funding Scheme helps to fill that gap and allow our local community groups to implement initiatives and complete projects they otherwise may not be able to. To assist further, this year we have allowed each organisation to apply for up to two grants. The uptake by our community groups this year has been really pleasing to see," she said.
Some of the projects to receive funding in this year's round include:
- Lancefield Neighbourhood House – Extinct, Lancefield Megafauna Festival – $4,000
- Macedon-Woodend Scout Group – Purchase of hike tents, camp cookers and BBQs – $3,400
- Romsey Neighbourhood House Inc. – Feed It Forward equipment including freezers – $6,000
- South Gisborne Tennis Club – Accessible picnic setting and area – $12,000
- Woodend Golf Club Inc. – Woodend Golf Club Community Paths project – $12,000
- Friends of Bald Hill Reserve – Install seating in the shelter, development of a design for a brochure and interpretative signage for the shelter – $12,000
- Riddells Creek Lions Club – All-inclusive double BBQ and power – $12,000
- Bullengarook Pony Club – Bullengarook Equestrian Arena upgrade – $12,000
- Friends of Maxwell Street, Tylden – Maxwell Street Reserve walking track and gates – $10,000
View the full list of recipients.
