Community Wellbeing Grants Program

The purpose of Council’s Community Wellbeing Grants program is to provide financial assistance in a consistent, fair and transparent manner, in line with the Community Wellbeing Grants Policy.

If you are a:

• local community service
• cultural or sporting organisation
• charitable or non-profit organisation

And your service or organisation:

• operates within or provides benefit to the residents of the Shoalhaven
• conducts quality cultural, sporting and community service programs and activities in the Shoalhaven
• cannot attract sufficient funds from other sources

You may be eligible for the Community Wellbeing Grants program.

Eligibility Criteria

What applications are eligible?

Applications for grants will only be considered if they are classified as one of four (3) categories:

• general grants (culture, Community, Rates & Rental)
• sponsorship of local events
• environment

The following criteria applies to ALL grant categories:

• what key priorities of the Community Wellbeing Strategy does the project meet? (view our Community Wellbeing Strategy)
• who and how many benefit from the project/event (target group)?
• to what degree is the group/project/event self-financing?
• has the need for the project/event been demonstrated?
• has the need for funding or subsidy been demonstrated?
• is the organisation able to make a contribution either in monetary funds or in kind, e.g. labour, materials, etc?
• what efforts have been made to seek funds from other sources?
• does the application have a broad community focus?
• if the project/event has a regional focus what benefit will occur for Shoalhaven residents?
• The maximum amount considered per application will be no more than 10% of the available budget (the Wellbeing Grants budget is adopted by Council each year in the month of June).

What applications are NOT eligible?

Applications will NOT be eligible for funding if any of the following apply:

• the benefit is primarily to an individual
• duplication of service or project already existing within the Shoalhaven Local Government Area
• projects occurring outside the Shoalhaven Local Government Area
• projects that are retrospective – i.e. projects/events that have been held prior to the opening date of the current grants program
• projects which do not align with Council’s Community Wellbeing Strategy
• applicants are able to self-fund the project
• a more applicable funding source is available
• the applicants are government departments or agencies
• the application is for capital funds (Capital expenditures are funds used by a company to acquire, upgrade, and maintain physical assets such as property, plant, buildings, technology, or equipment)
• the application is for a fee waiver that is dealt with under the Fee Waivers, Subsidies and Support Policy and Waiving of Development Application Fees & Other Fees for Charitable Organisations & Community Groups
• the project will financially benefit a profit-making organisation, individual or government department
• projects and facilities or services are controlled through Council appointed management committees (where these projects, facilities or services are not under Council’s direct care and control)
• the proceeds or entry fee from a project or event are being donated to another organisation
• there is no direct benefit to Shoalhaven residents
• applications for fireworks (MIN24.150)

Important Information

• the Community Wellbeing Grants Program does not deal with fee waivers that are dealt with under the Fee Waivers, Subsidies and Support Policy and Refund of Fees for Charitable Organisations & Community Groups Policy
• applications received after the closing date will not be eligible for consideration (Closing date 24 June 2025 at 5:00pm)
• applications will not be assessed without a fully completed application form and the required supporting documentation

Things to consider for your application

• please review the Community Wellbeing Grants Policy in conjunction with the eligibility criteria before starting your application to ensure that all requirements have been met
• if you do not hold an ABN, complete a Statement by a supplier – Australian Taxation Office and upload to your application
• see our example of a financial acquittal for assistance in completing yours if one is required during the application process
• if your application is for financial assistance to host an event, ensure that your proposed event is compliant with Council’s Events Policy and that an Event Application Form has been completed and lodged with the Events Team 90 days prior to the event. For further information visit our Event Support page.

Apply Here

You can apply for a grant using the online form below. Alternatively, you may download and complete the Application Form

• Application Form is also available online (fillable form).

Application – Community Wellbeing Grants Program 2025 2026

What happens next?

Upon closure of the application period, the following process will occur:

• applications will be assessed by Council’s Grant Assessment Panel to ensure that the application meets the eligibility criteria outlined below
• the panel will make a formal recommendation to Council seeking support for financial assistance on behalf of the applicants
• applicants will be notified of the date of the Ordinary Meeting where Council will consider the panel’s recommendation
• the elected Council will determine the funding to be provided at that meeting
• confirmation of Council’s resolution will be forwarded to all applicants (both successful and unsuccessful) following the outcome of the meeting

For further information click on the Community Wellbeing Grants Program on Shoalhaven City Council website.