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Community Grants

The Central Highlands Regional Council’s Community Grants Program aims to assist local community groups/organisations in making positive contributions to the quality of life in the local government area.

  • Funding categories

    Applications can be submitted in the following categories to the maximum indicated:

    • Community assistance – up to $5000
      • Organisations with a community focus, not providing organised sport and recreation activities.
      • The organisation’s constitutions main objective is to provide community benefit.
    • Sport and recreation assistance – up to $5000
      • Organisations providing organised sport and recreation activities.
      • The organisation’s constitution main objective is to provide organised sport and recreation activities.
    • Community improvement – up to $20,000
      • Organisations with a focus on completing aspirations of their community in alignment with Council Strategic documents.
      • This category is open to both community-focused organisations and sport and recreation organisations.
  • Upcoming rounds

    Grants are offered twice a year.

    Round Opening Date Closing Date Applicants notified Completed acquittal due
    1 Mid-January 5.00 pm
    28 February
    Early April Six months
    2 Mid-July 5.00 pm
    31 August
    Early October Six months
  • Eligibility

    Groups/ organisations applying for Central Highlands Regional Council Grants are required to:

    • Have the majority of members of the organisation/group reside in council’s local government area boundaries.
    • Operate predominately within council’s local government area boundaries.
    • Have acquitted any previous council grant satisfactorily.
    • Be free of debt with  council.
    • Be an incorporated ‘not-for-profit’ organisation or company limited by guarantee that has been endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a charity, tax exempt fund or deductable gift recipient. Note: religious organisations are not eligible.
    • Unincorporated groups are eligible to apply, providing that their application is made through the appropriate incorporated body which supports the program, project or activity.
    • Have relevant public liability insurance cover, except when the grant relates only to works being undertaken by a suitably insured contractor.
    • Make the facility or resource available to community through membership or other means.
    • Demonstrate a clear need for financial support and show that other avenues of financial support have been explored (e.g. other grant funding).
    • Submit the organisation’s most current financial statement (as submitted to the Office of Fair Trading) or latest treasurer’s report including bank balances covering previous12 months.
    • Submit a detailed budget for the program, project and/or activity and two (2) quotes from registered businesses, for all items to be funded for the grant (including where possible at least sourced in council boundaries).
    • Provide in principle support from the landowner or trustee of the land prior to application submission
    • Provide in principle support from the landowner or trustee of the land prior to application submission.
    • Sought advice regarding building works and approval prior to application submission (if applicable).
    • Have a signed Tenure Agreement if one has been offered in excess of six months from the application date. (This criterion is applicable if you are operating from council land/building).
    • Be open for public membership.
  • How to apply

    IMPORTANT: Please read the grant guidelines and the form before applying.

    Council staff involved in the administration of the Community Grants Program are available to provide general guidance to assist with the preparation of your application. Please contact the Customer Service Centre on 1300 242 686.

    Community Grant Program Applications can be completed online https://chrc.smartygrants.com.au/

    Alternatively, you can complete a hard copy of the grant, please contact a Grants Officer for this option.

    Templates:

    Community Grants Program – Project Plan-Template (1)

    Community Grants Program-Strategic-Plan-Template

     

  • Successful applications

    Community Grants Round 2 - 2022

    List of successful grant applications.
    OrganisationProjectGrant Category GrantGST (if GST registered)Total
    Argyll Rural Fire Brigade
    (auspice by AgForce
    Queensland Farmers Ltd)
    First aid courseCommunity Improvement$5,000.00Nil$5,000.00
    Blackwater Netball
    Association
    Water bubblers and
    court safety
    improvements
    Sport and Recreation$4,967.22Nil$4,967.22
    Blackwater Tennis
    Association
    Clubhouse and
    grounds refurbishment
    Sport and Recreation$3,270.00Nil $3,270.00
    Borilla Community
    Kindergarten
    Hot water system
    upgrade and new airconditioning purchase
    Community Assistance $4,725.85$472.59$5,198.44
    Central Highlands MTB Club IncMountain trail bike
    riding community
    participation program
    Sport and Recreation$4,996.14Nil$4,996.14
    CH Mother's Group Emerald
    (auspice by Emerald
    Neighbourhood Centre)
    Enhancing community
    network
    Community Assistance $4,064.55$63.45$4,128.00
    CQ Pet Rescue Inc Hydro bath purchaseCommunity Assistance $3,409.20Nil$3,409.20
    Dingo Rodeo Club IncCanteen freezer
    purchase
    Sport and Recreation$5,000.00Nil$5,000.00
    Duaringa Golf Club Tractor and slasher
    purchase
    Community Improvement$20,000.00Nil$20,000.00
    Emerald Car Club IncClubhouse ceiling
    improvements
    Community
    Improvement
    $11,164.65Nil$11,164.65
    Emerald Town Band IncNew music sheet
    investment program
    for 2023
    Community Assistance$4,995.00Nil$4,995.00
    Gemfields Lapidary and Craft Club IncFaceting machine
    purchase
    Sport and Recreation$5,000.00Nil$5,000.00
    Queensland Country
    Women's Association
    Emerald Branch
    External painting of
    building, laundry and toilet
    Community
    Improvement
    $5,000.00Nil $5,000.00
    Retreat Creek Campdraft
    Association Inc
    Water infrastructure
    upgrade in cattle yards
    at Roy Day Park
    Sport and Recreation $5,000.00Nil $5,000.00
    Returned and Services
    League of Australia
    Gemfields Sub-Branch Inc
    Dining room upgradeCommunity Assistance$5,000.00Nil$5,000.00
    Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
    Springsure Parents and
    Friends Association (auspice
    by The Roman Catholic Trust
    Corporation for the Diocese
    of Rockhampton)
    School hall flooring
    refurbishment
    Community Improvement$13,440.00$1,344.00$14,784.00
    Springsure Jockey Club IncWashdown bays
    upgrade and extension
    Community
    Improvement
    $7,575.01$757.48 $8,332.49
    The Gemmy Quilters
    (auspice by Capella Tieri
    Middlemount Support
    Network Inc)
    Sapphire Hall airconditioning purchaseCommunity
    Improvement
    $18,211.80$1,821.18$20,032.98
    Willows Gemfields
    Recreation and Progress
    Association Inc
    Disability amenities Community
    Improvement
    $20,000.00Nil$20,000.00
  • Assessment panel

    Grant applications are assessed by the Community Grants Assessment Panel, which includes council staff, councillors, and community representatives.

    The term for community representatives on the assessment panel hold a term for two years.

    The next call for community representatives will be in mid-2024.

    For more information abut being a community representative on the assessment panel, please read the assessment panel information sheet and nomination form.

     

     

Applications can be submitted in the following categories to the maximum indicated:

  • Community assistance – up to $5000
    • Organisations with a community focus, not providing organised sport and recreation activities.
    • The organisation’s constitutions main objective is to provide community benefit.
  • Sport and recreation assistance – up to $5000
    • Organisations providing organised sport and recreation activities.
    • The organisation’s constitution main objective is to provide organised sport and recreation activities.
  • Community improvement – up to $20,000
    • Organisations with a focus on completing aspirations of their community in alignment with Council Strategic documents.
    • This category is open to both community-focused organisations and sport and recreation organisations.

Grants are offered twice a year.

Round Opening Date Closing Date Applicants notified Completed acquittal due
1 Mid-January 5.00 pm
28 February
Early April Six months
2 Mid-July 5.00 pm
31 August
Early October Six months

Groups/ organisations applying for Central Highlands Regional Council Grants are required to:

  • Have the majority of members of the organisation/group reside in council’s local government area boundaries.
  • Operate predominately within council’s local government area boundaries.
  • Have acquitted any previous council grant satisfactorily.
  • Be free of debt with  council.
  • Be an incorporated ‘not-for-profit’ organisation or company limited by guarantee that has been endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a charity, tax exempt fund or deductable gift recipient. Note: religious organisations are not eligible.
  • Unincorporated groups are eligible to apply, providing that their application is made through the appropriate incorporated body which supports the program, project or activity.
  • Have relevant public liability insurance cover, except when the grant relates only to works being undertaken by a suitably insured contractor.
  • Make the facility or resource available to community through membership or other means.
  • Demonstrate a clear need for financial support and show that other avenues of financial support have been explored (e.g. other grant funding).
  • Submit the organisation’s most current financial statement (as submitted to the Office of Fair Trading) or latest treasurer’s report including bank balances covering previous12 months.
  • Submit a detailed budget for the program, project and/or activity and two (2) quotes from registered businesses, for all items to be funded for the grant (including where possible at least sourced in council boundaries).
  • Provide in principle support from the landowner or trustee of the land prior to application submission
  • Provide in principle support from the landowner or trustee of the land prior to application submission.
  • Sought advice regarding building works and approval prior to application submission (if applicable).
  • Have a signed Tenure Agreement if one has been offered in excess of six months from the application date. (This criterion is applicable if you are operating from council land/building).
  • Be open for public membership.

IMPORTANT: Please read the grant guidelines and the form before applying.

Council staff involved in the administration of the Community Grants Program are available to provide general guidance to assist with the preparation of your application. Please contact the Customer Service Centre on 1300 242 686.

Community Grant Program Applications can be completed online https://chrc.smartygrants.com.au/

Alternatively, you can complete a hard copy of the grant, please contact a Grants Officer for this option.

Templates:

Community Grants Program – Project Plan-Template (1)

Community Grants Program-Strategic-Plan-Template

 

Community Grants Round 2 - 2022

List of successful grant applications.
OrganisationProjectGrant Category GrantGST (if GST registered)Total
Argyll Rural Fire Brigade
(auspice by AgForce
Queensland Farmers Ltd)
First aid courseCommunity Improvement$5,000.00Nil$5,000.00
Blackwater Netball
Association
Water bubblers and
court safety
improvements
Sport and Recreation$4,967.22Nil$4,967.22
Blackwater Tennis
Association
Clubhouse and
grounds refurbishment
Sport and Recreation$3,270.00Nil $3,270.00
Borilla Community
Kindergarten
Hot water system
upgrade and new airconditioning purchase
Community Assistance $4,725.85$472.59$5,198.44
Central Highlands MTB Club IncMountain trail bike
riding community
participation program
Sport and Recreation$4,996.14Nil$4,996.14
CH Mother's Group Emerald
(auspice by Emerald
Neighbourhood Centre)
Enhancing community
network
Community Assistance $4,064.55$63.45$4,128.00
CQ Pet Rescue Inc Hydro bath purchaseCommunity Assistance $3,409.20Nil$3,409.20
Dingo Rodeo Club IncCanteen freezer
purchase
Sport and Recreation$5,000.00Nil$5,000.00
Duaringa Golf Club Tractor and slasher
purchase
Community Improvement$20,000.00Nil$20,000.00
Emerald Car Club IncClubhouse ceiling
improvements
Community
Improvement
$11,164.65Nil$11,164.65
Emerald Town Band IncNew music sheet
investment program
for 2023
Community Assistance$4,995.00Nil$4,995.00
Gemfields Lapidary and Craft Club IncFaceting machine
purchase
Sport and Recreation$5,000.00Nil$5,000.00
Queensland Country
Women's Association
Emerald Branch
External painting of
building, laundry and toilet
Community
Improvement
$5,000.00Nil $5,000.00
Retreat Creek Campdraft
Association Inc
Water infrastructure
upgrade in cattle yards
at Roy Day Park
Sport and Recreation $5,000.00Nil $5,000.00
Returned and Services
League of Australia
Gemfields Sub-Branch Inc
Dining room upgradeCommunity Assistance$5,000.00Nil$5,000.00
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Springsure Parents and
Friends Association (auspice
by The Roman Catholic Trust
Corporation for the Diocese
of Rockhampton)
School hall flooring
refurbishment
Community Improvement$13,440.00$1,344.00$14,784.00
Springsure Jockey Club IncWashdown bays
upgrade and extension
Community
Improvement
$7,575.01$757.48 $8,332.49
The Gemmy Quilters
(auspice by Capella Tieri
Middlemount Support
Network Inc)
Sapphire Hall airconditioning purchaseCommunity
Improvement
$18,211.80$1,821.18$20,032.98
Willows Gemfields
Recreation and Progress
Association Inc
Disability amenities Community
Improvement
$20,000.00Nil$20,000.00

Grant applications are assessed by the Community Grants Assessment Panel, which includes council staff, councillors, and community representatives.

The term for community representatives on the assessment panel hold a term for two years.

The next call for community representatives will be in mid-2024.

For more information abut being a community representative on the assessment panel, please read the assessment panel information sheet and nomination form.

 

 

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