Council provides financial assistance to local not-for-profit organisations to support them in delivering projects that will provide a broad benefit to communities across the Southern Downs region.

Everything an applicant needs to know about Council's Grants to Community can be found in the Community Grant Guidelines (PDF 766.1KB). Council encourages all applicants to read the guidelines prior to completing an application form online. 

Council would like to inform prospective grant applicants that they should not rely on Council as a continual or sole source of income and should actively pursue other avenues of funding to aid in their development of projects.

Available Funding

Please note the 2024/25 Community Grant Program has now closed and the budget has been fully depleted.

The Community Grant funding available per not-for-profit organisation is:

One grant per financial year, capped at $2,000 per applicant.

The Community Grant program is open for applications all financial year - or - until the budgeted funding allocation has been depleted.

Opened	Closing	For projects taking place between
1 August 2024	CLOSED the budgeted funding allocation has been depleted	30 August 2024 and 31 July 2025

Applications must be submitted a minimum of four (4) weeks prior to the commencement of the event or project to provide adequate time to process the grant application.

Community Grant Application

Applications for Grants to Community are made on-line via SmartyGrants and will be available for completion in accordance with the dates shown above.

To access the application form, please click the link below:

2024/25 Application Form

A SmartyGrants - Help Guide for Applicants is available, and the SmartyGrants - Applicant FAQ's may also be of assistance.  Applicants may telephone SmartyGrants - Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm AEST on (03) 9320 6888 or via email to service@smartygrants.com.au.

Applicants may also contact Council - Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm on 1300 697 372 (1300 MY SDRC) or via email to mail@sdrc.qld.gov.au.

Auspicing

If an organisation is required to be auspiced, it is the responsibility of the applicant being auspiced to ensure that a clear agreement is reached between the parties before applying for funding.  The Auspicing Agreement (PDF 38.7KB) is to be completed and attached to the grant application in SmartyGrants.

Grant Acquittal

Funding acquittals are to be completed online via SmartyGrants.  The SmartyGrants Acquittal Form link will also be emailed to each successful applicant.  Applicants will need to login to their SmartyGrants account to view their acquittal form.

Successful Grants to Community and RADF recipients are welcome to Book & Borrow a Council Banner (PDF 312.4KB) to use for their projects.  This provides another avenue for the purposes of acknowledging Council's contribution to your project to be included in your Grants to Community Acquittal Form or RADF Project Outcome Report.   Please allow a minimum of five (5) working days before collection.

Letters of Support

Requests for a Letter of Support from Council (PDF 126.1KB) to accompany a grant funding application external to Council need to be made by completing the form and returning it to Council.  Please allow five (5) working days for completion. 

Council Sponsorship

Council no longer provides Sponsorship.  Any financial assistance from Council needs to be requested through a Community Grant application. 

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