Looking for support to run an activity in our community?
The City of Wollongong Community Grants program is now open for applications, with various grants available to assist community groups and individuals pursue activities and projects that contribute to the rich cultural life of our city.
The grant program offers financial and in-kind support to help people and groups they're part of bring ideas to life, including community and cultural events, funding for bands and choirs, NAIDOC Week events and local heritage and conservation projects.
"A sense of community is what makes Wollongong such a great place to call home," Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.
"There are so many passionate groups and individuals who contribute to our city's cultural life, be it through music and performance, cultural celebrations, sporting and community events, or historical projects that tell Wollongong's story.
"Sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of support to turn big ideas or thought bubbles into reality for us all to enjoy as a community.
"We're proud to offer support through the Community Grants program, and I encourage anyone with a vision for a project or activity to apply for that support. It might just be the push that breathes life into something you want to achieve."
Applications are now open via Council's website , with various closing dates for different grant categories.
Bands and Choirs (closes 31 March)
Open to not-for-profit bands or choirs that are based and operating in Wollongong, who must be open to new members, hold regular rehearsals and be available to perform at community events and gatherings.
The following amount of funding is available through this program:
- Primary (or senior) bands up to $2,000
- Secondary (or junior) bands up to $1,000
- Choirs up to $500.
Community Events (closes 31 March)
If you're an individual or not-for-profit group running an event that's open to the community, you might be eligible for our sponsorship of Community Events program.
Each year, we support events like community celebrations, cultural gatherings and state or national sporting events. This program aims to encourage a wider range of events in our city, particularly those that bring social and economic benefits to the local area.
The following sponsorship amounts are available for events under this program:
- City-wide events up to $15,000 + GST
- Local general community events up to $5,000 + GST
- Sporting events of state or national significance up to $5,000 + GST.
Small Cultural Grants (closes 31 March)
Our Small Cultural Grants program provides assistance to individuals and non-profit community groups working in the local cultural and creative industries
This program aims to support and nurture cultural and creative opportunities that provide positive outcomes for our community and includes support for creative projects, professional development, marketing and minor capital support.
Applicants can request up to $4,000.
NAIDOC Week Grants (closes 2 May)
We provide small grants for not-for-profit groups holding community events during NAIDOC Week , held this year from 6 to 13 July. The theme for this year is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.
This program aims to get as many people as possible involved in NAIDOC Week and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
A total of $7,000 is available through this program.
Heritage Grants (closes 31 March)
If you own a property that has local heritage listing, you can apply for support from the Wollongong Heritage Fund. This program encourages conservation projects in heritage places and helps to conserve items that have local cultural significance.
To be eligible for this program, you must be undertaking conservation work, or preparing documents that will inform future conservation work, on a property listed as a heritage item.
Funding is available on a dollar-for-dollar-spent basis and Council will consider funding up to 50 per cent of the total project cost, to a maximum of $10,000 (excluding GST). We reserve the right to offer less than 50 per cent of the total project cost.
Connecting Neighbours Grants Program (closes 17 March)
Our Connecting Neighbours Grants program provides small grants to community members and groups who want to make a positive impact in their local area.
The focus is on creating connections between neighbours and creating stronger local communities. This connection could include a street, a few houses, a group, or a place where you socialise.
There are grants of up to $250 for individual community members with a shared project idea, and up to $1,000 for projects with the backing of a support organisation.
The focus of this round is the communities located in Warrawong and surrounding suburbs, but people or groups outside this area are also welcome to apply.
