Apply Now: Community Grants for Local Initiatives (Australia)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Community Grants Program offered by the Shire of East Pilbara provides financial and in-kind support to not-for-profit associations, registered charities, and eligible individuals for activities and initiatives that benefit the local community. The program is designed to strengthen the East Pilbara community by supporting diverse projects and activities that respond to local needs and align with the Shire’s Strategic Community Plan. Funding helps local organisations and community members develop sustainable solutions, deliver community activities, and create events that encourage connection, participation, and pride in the region.

About the Community Grants Program

The Community Grants Program supports activities that contribute to a stronger, more connected, and liveable East Pilbara community.

The program aims to:

- Respond to identified community needs - Build the capacity of individuals and community groups - Strengthen local organisations - Support sustainable local solutions - Enable community events and activities - Foster community connection - Promote pride in the East Pilbara region Support may be provided through both financial and in-kind assistance. Priority Areas The program prioritises initiatives that contribute to three broad areas: - Liveability - Community participation - Fostering a sense of pride in the region Projects should demonstrate how they will contribute to the local community and, where applicable, align with the Shire’s broader strategic priorities. Community Themes Supported The Community Grants Program covers a broad range of community needs and activities.

Priority themes include:

- Housing - Transport - Safety and crime prevention - Children, youth and families - Libraries - Festivals and markets - Parks and recreation - Health services - Sport and recreation - Community connection - Economy and business - Waste management - Arts and culture This broad scope allows community organisations to propose projects addressing different aspects of local wellbeing and community development. Community Grant Categories The program includes a Community Grants category with two funding levels for not-for-profit associations and registered charities. Small Community Grants Small grants of up to $6,000 are available for eligible community activities and initiatives. These grants can support smaller projects that address community needs and contribute to local participation, connection, liveability, or regional pride. Large Community Grants Large grants of up to $12,000 are available for eligible not-for-profit associations and registered charities. These grants can support larger-scale community projects and initiatives that demonstrate meaningful benefits for people within the Shire of East Pilbara. Who Can Benefit From the Program? The program is intended to support a diverse range of community activities and initiatives that directly benefit people in the Shire of East Pilbara.

Eligible applicants may include:

- Not-for-profit associations - Registered charities - Eligible individuals, where applicable under the relevant grant category Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection to the East Pilbara community.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the program’s eligibility conditions.

To be eligible, applicants must:

- Reside in the Shire of East Pilbara, operate in the Shire, or provide a service that directly benefits people within the Shire - Have no outstanding debts with the Shire - Have no outstanding grant acquittals with the Shire - Be registered as a not-for-profit body or charity, except where Participation Grant applicants are exempt from this requirement - Hold a valid ABN, except where Participation Grant applicants are exempt - Hold Public Liability Insurance, except where Participation Grant applicants are exempt - Submit funding requests within the applicable timeframes - Provide suitable supporting information required by the application form Applicants should carefully review the relevant requirements before submitting their funding request. Local Community Benefit A central requirement is demonstrating a direct benefit to people within the Shire of East Pilbara. Applicants can establish their connection by showing that they: - Reside in the Shire - Operate within the Shire - Provide services that directly benefit local residents Projects should clearly explain who will benefit and how the proposed activities will contribute to the local community. Strategic Community Plan Alignment The program is designed to support initiatives that align with the Shire’s Strategic Community Plan. Applicants should explain how their proposed activities respond to local needs and contribute to the broader goals of building a strong and sustainable community. Projects that demonstrate clear community benefits and strategic relevance can better communicate why the proposed initiative deserves support. Supporting Community Connection and Pride One of the key aims of the program is to enable events and activities that bring people together.

Community activities can help:

- Strengthen social connections - Increase community participation - Create opportunities for residents to engage with one another - Build local pride - Encourage a stronger sense of belonging Projects focused on festivals, markets, recreation, arts and culture, and community activities can contribute to these objectives. Building Local Capacity The Community Grants Program also aims to build the capacity of individuals, community groups, and local organisations. Support can help local groups develop and implement sustainable solutions to community needs rather than relying solely on short-term interventions. Applicants should demonstrate how their project can contribute to stronger local capability where relevant. Financial and In-Kind Support The program provides both financial and in-kind support. Financial assistance can help eligible applicants deliver approv