Revised grants program gets the green light

Noosa Council has amended its community grants program to improve fairness and transparency and better clarify eligibility requirements.

Council staff reviewed the Noosa Community Grants Program, with the assistance of Cr Tony Wellington, following last year’s funding round.

“The revised program is a significant improvement with greater clarity about funding programs,” Cr Wellington said.

“At the heart of the change is the need to support community infrastructure and enhance community engagement. Research from across the world shows that engagement with community is a very significant factor in individual wellbeing.

"In the new policy we've improved the eligibility criteria, provided for multi-year funding agreements, and improved the application forms. The changes ensure better equity for our many community organisations and greater transparency in the decision-making process.”

Under the changes, grants will be delivered across four key funding programs.

Three-Year Maintenance Agreements will provide longer-term consistent support for eligible community organisations that utilise halls, centres and sports fields.

Annual Operating Costs grants will provide eligible, not-for-profit groups with contributions towards a range of recurring operational expenses.

Community Projects Grants will be allocated through a competitive assessment process twice annually for events, programs, building works or essential infrastructure.

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), delivered in conjunction with the Queensland Government, is also under the new community grants program banner.

Council will also develop an additional festive season grants program.

Cr Wellington said that Council staff will be utilising state-of-the-art software to transition to on-line applications and eventually phase out paper-based applications. This will result in a more efficient and cost-effective approach for dealing with the Community Grants Program.

Applications for funding in the new-look grants program will open in February.

16 January 2015