Eligible applicants include:

• Community groups and organisations, social enterprises and incorporated and unincorporated not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to $5,000 to the Small Grants category. 
• Incorporated, not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to the Community Development Grants category.

Ineligible applicants include:

• State or Federal Government organisations 
• Political parties or projects supporting polititical parties or agendas
• Individuals and organisations other than not-for-profits without an eligible sponsor
• Projects that do not address the stated project outcomes.

To be eligible for funding, applicants must:

• Acquit any previous Council grants or sponsorships in the specified timeline, including proof of expenditure. Some previous grant timelines may overlap, in which case you should ring and talk to a relevant staff member to provide an update on the status of the funded project
• Have no outstanding debts owed to Council
• Demonstrate the grant will be used for a purpose in the public interest primarily for the local community.

General exclusions

Northern Beaches Council does not provide grants to projects that:

• Duplicate existing services or programs unless there is a demonstrated additional need
• Have already occurred (no retrospective funding)
• Projects already funded by another Northern Beaches Council grant program
• Multiple applicants submitting applications for the same project
• Same applicant submitting different projects to the same grant program (only one project application per grant program)
• Operational expenses, such as rent, ongoing staff wages, insurance, utilities, day-to-day general office supplies not directly related to the project
• Travel or accommodation expenses
• Council does not provide fee waivers or free use for in-house design, printing and distribution service, hall or reserve/field hire, street closures, or cleansing and waste service for events. These costs must be included in the application budget.

Small Grants category

Up to $5,000 

Eligibility 

Community groups and organisations, social enterprises and incorporated and unincorporated not-for-profit organisations 

Funding Priorities 

Projects that maintain and grow community groups, services and activities promoting inclusion, participation and social connections.

Assessment Criteria 

1. Addresses one or more of the funding priorities in grant category 
2. Has a clear rationale with identified community need
3. Demonstrates value for money with a detailed budget and capacity to manage the funds

Project outcomes 

This grant program supports projects that contribute to one or more of the following outcomes:

1. Increased community safety and inclusion
2. Increased social connections and participation in community life
3. Improved access to information, services, programs and facilities
4. Increased community capacity to care for self and others.

Community Development category

Up to $10,000

Eligibility 

Incorporated, not-for-profit organisations

Funding Priorities

1. Projects aligned with Council’s Multicultural Inclusion Plan that:

• Celebrate diversity and cultural expression (Welcoming)
• Make people feel safe, connected and included in community life (Participating)

2. Projects that build community connections for any of the following:

• Priority populations including young people (12-24), families, older people (60+), First Nations, LGBTQ+ community, multicultural communities, people living with disability, people experiencing domestic violence, mental ill-health or are at risk of homelessness.
• Intergroup connections between our diverse communities
• Intergenerational connections

Assessment Criteria 

1. Addresses one or more of the funding priorities in grant category 
2. Addresses one or more of the project outcomes
3. Has a clear rationale with identified community need
4. Demonstrates value for money with a detailed budget and capacity to manage the funds
5. Evidence of effective planning, consultation, networking or project partnerships

Project outcomes 

This grant program supports projects that contribute to one or more of the following outcomes:

1. Increased community safety and inclusion
2. Increased social connections and participation in community life
3. Improved access to information, services, programs and facilities
4. Increased community capacity to care for self and others.