Apply for Major Community Grants Program (Australia)

Deadline: 15-Sep-2026

The Lockyer Valley Regional Council Major Community Grants Program provides non-recurrent funding of $1,000 to $4,000 to eligible not-for-profit community organisations for projects, activities, and events that benefit residents of the Lockyer Valley region. The programme supports community wellbeing, social cohesion, cultural and recreational activities, environmental outcomes, economic development, and initiatives that strengthen long-term community capacity. What Is the Major Community Grants Program? The Major Community Grants Program is a community funding initiative of Lockyer Valley Regional Council in Queensland, Australia. The programme provides supplementary financial assistance to not-for-profit organisations undertaking activities that contribute to the broader Lockyer Valley community. Funding is intended to help organisations deliver projects that: Organisations seeking support for core business activities. Organisations applying for projects that have already commenced. Organisations that do not meet the programme’s eligibility requirements. Projects that have already received funding in the previous Major Community Grant round are also not eligible. What Are the Key Eligibility Conditions? Applicants should pay particular attention to several conditions. The Organisation Must Be Not-for-Profit The programme is intended for community organisations operating on a not-for-profit basis. The Project Must Benefit the Community The proposed activity should provide a clear benefit to residents of the Lockyer Valley. The Organisation Must Have Appropriate Insurance Applicants need to demonstrate that appropriate insurance arrangements are in place. The Organisation Must Be Viable Applicants must demonstrate sufficient organisational viability to undertake the proposed project. Council Debt Must Be Addressed Organisations must not have outstanding debt to Council unless an agreed payment arrangement is already in place. The Project Must Not Have Started Funding cannot be used retrospectively for projects or activities that have already commenced. How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Your Organisation’s Eligibility

Check that your organisation is:

Not-for-profit. Operating within the Lockyer Valley area or delivering clear benefits to its residents. Appropriately insured. Financially and operationally viable. Compliant with Council debt requirements.

Step 2: Develop a Community-Focused Project

Define the project, activity, or event you want to fund.

Clearly identify:

The community need. The proposed activities. Who will benefit. Where the activity will take place. How the project will improve community outcomes.

Step 3: Prepare the Project Budget

Develop a realistic budget showing how the requested grant will be spent. The amount requested should be directly connected to eligible project costs and supported by a clear explanation.

Step 4: Demonstrate Community Benefits

Explain how the project will contribute to outcomes such as: Community wellbeing. Social cohesion. Inclusion.

Participation

Environmental sustainability. Economic development. Community capacity.

Step 5: Check Previous Funding

Ensure that the proposed project has not received funding through the previous Major Community Grant round.

Step 6: Submit One Application

Each organisation may submit only one application per grant round. Applicants should therefore select their strongest eligible project and provide a complete application. How Applications Are Assessed Applications are considered based on the merit of the proposed project and the availability of programme funding. A strong application should clearly demonstrate: A genuine community need. Meaningful benefits for Lockyer Valley residents. A well-defined project. Appropriate planning. Organisational capacity. Financial viability. A realistic budget. Sustainable or long-term community outcomes where relevant. Applicants should make the connection between the proposed activities and the broader community benefit easy to understand. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying for a project that has already started. Requesting funding for core organisational business activities. Submitting more than one application in the same round. Failing to demonstrate benefits for Lockyer Valley residents. Providing an unclear or unsupported budget. Ignoring insurance requirements. Applying when the organisation has unresolved Council debt. Applying for a project that received funding in the previous Major Community Grant round. Focusing only on organisational benefits instead of broader community outcomes. Tips for a Strong Application To improve the quality of an application: Clearly describe the community need. Explain exactly what the grant will fund. Identify the number and type of people expected to benefit. Connect activities to measurable community outcomes. Provide a realistic and transparent budget. Explain why Council funding is important to delivering the project. Demonstrate how the activity promotes inclusion and participation. Highlight long-term benefits where appropriate. Make sure the project has not commenced before applying. Key Information at a Glance

Grant: Major Community Grants Program

Funding body: Lockyer Valley Regional Council

Applicant type: Not-for-profit community organisations

Funding: $1,000–$4,000

Funding type: Non-recurrent grant

Purpose: Community projects, activities, and events

Priority outcomes: Wellbeing, social cohesion, culture, recreation, environment, economic development, sustainability, and community capacity

Geographic requirement: Lockyer Valley LGA or demonstrable benefit to its residents

Insurance: Required

Council debt: Must be cleared or covered by an approved payment arrangement

Applications per organisation: One per round

Previously funded projects: Projects funded in the previous Major Community Grant round are not eligible

Government agencies: Not