Stronger Communities 2023

Expressions of Interest are now open for the Stronger Communities 2023 programme, and will close on Friday 24th March

As part of the Federal Government's commitment to making local economies stronger and boosting community organisations funding is available for projects across Griffith. With a particular focus on delivering social benefits in communities across Australia.

Grants are available between $2500 and $20,000, and are designed to:

Encourage and support participation in local projects
Improve community participation
Contribute to liveable and viable communities

Who can apply?

To be eligible you must:

Be invited to apply by your MP
Have an Australian Business Number (ABN)

… and also be one of the following:

An incorporated Not For Profit organisation including:
- Incorporated associations, such as:
  - Police and Citizen Youth Clubs
  - Child care centres
  - Surf clubs
  - Local aged care bodies
  - Parents and Citizens, Parents and Friends groups and equivalent bodies.
  - A Commonwealth, state or territory government agency or entity that is a fire service, rural fire service, country fire authority, state emergency service or similar.
Non-distributing co-operatives
Companies limited by guarantee
Indigenous corporations
Religious organisations incorporated under legislation.
An incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust with responsibility for a community asset or property. You will be required to provide relevant trust documents.
A local governing body as defined by the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995.
- If you are a local governing body, you must be able to match your share of the funds contributing to the project (at least 50 per cent of total project cost)

Please note: your organisation must be located within the federal electorate of Griffith. (You can find your local electorate at the AEC website.)

Still not sure if you’re eligible?
You can contact Max's office on 07 3397 1674 or by email at [email protected] if you would like to discuss the program or your idea with us.

How does it work?

Applications take place in 3 steps:

Our office will be collecting expressions of interest (EOI) about local projects in the Griffith Electorate. The due date for EOI submissions is Friday 24th March, 2023.
Max and a Community Committee will consult the EOI’s and nominate up to 20 projects until the allocated funding is exhausted.
Nominated projects will be invited to complete an application by the Department through GrantConnect

You can submit an expression of interest here.

What can the funding be used for?

This grant can be used towards small capital works or capital expenditure on a project that will deliver social benefits to your community. You can also spend grant funding on eligible expenses related to the grant project, as defined in the grant agreement & guidelines.

A non-exhaustive list is below:

Renovations & Building Costs

Fit out, alterations and/or extensions to existing premises e.g. air-conditioning, kitchen upgrades, fixtures and fittings, painting.
Modifications and refurbishments to leased buildings or grounds, providing approval has been given by the owner and you can provide confirmation of this approval.
Upgrade of facilities to provide inclusive access.
Upgrades, construction and fit-out of community spaces, e.g. men’s sheds, community centres, scout halls etc.
Upgrades of sporting facilities and fields including new scoreboards, spectator seating, goalposts, fit-out of change rooms, new canteen, new lights, medical equipment, upgrade drainage and water systems, gymnasiums.

Acquiring Equipment

For the local State Emergency Service and rural fire brigades
Vehicles and trailers (and their modification) for community transport/services, surf lifesaving, medical transport
The purchase of musical instruments, sports equipment and uniforms that remain the property of the organisation
Acquisition and installation of equipment, including:
- ICT hardware and associated operating software that is to be used by your organisation for the benefit of your community. Examples may include:
  - Software to support and operate eligible purchased equipment
  - Initial software license, purchase, customisation and installation of customer relationship management (CRM), database, booking and scheduling software
  - Creation of a website that facilitates community access to information or services provided by the organisation

Community Green Spaces

Development or upgrade of:

Bike paths
Streetscapes
Skate parks
Community gardens
Park furniture including shade/shelters, BBQs, toilet facilities, drinking fountains

Key Dates to Remember:

Grant Round Open

8 Feb 2023 Opening date

8 Feb 2023 MPs undertake community consultation

20 Mar 2023 EOIs due

28 Mar 2023 MPs recommended to submit project nominations

10 May 2023 (5:00pm AEDT) Closing date of applications

Grant Round Closed - 10 May 2023 (5:00pm AEDT)

Assessment of applications 4-6 weeks

Approval of outcomes of selection process 4-6 weeks

Negotiations and award of grant agreements 1-3 weeks

Notification to unsuccessful applicants 2 weeks

My office is always available to assist, so please don’t hesitate to contact me. Further details and full program guidelines are available here.