Apply now for Community Support Fund (Australia)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Bellingen Shire Council Community Support Fund provides small grants to eligible not-for-profit organisations, community groups, registered charities and social enterprises for local projects that strengthen community connections and deliver social, cultural or recreational benefits within Bellingen Shire. The fund supports initiatives aligned with Council’s strategic vision outlined in Our Plan for the Future. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that respond to genuine community needs, improve access and inclusion, strengthen local capacity and provide benefits to the broader Bellingen Shire community.

About the Community Support Fund

The Community Support Fund is designed to help create a connected, sustainable and creative Bellingen Shire by supporting locally driven initiatives. The programme focuses on projects that generate social, cultural and recreational outcomes while strengthening community resources and local capacity. Funding can help eligible organisations deliver practical projects that provide broad community benefits and improve opportunities for residents to participate in community life. What Does the Fund Support? The fund supports a range of community-focused activities and projects.

Eligible projects can include:

- Community activities and initiatives. - Sport and recreation projects. - Equipment purchases for community use. - Minor infrastructure works that benefit the general public. - Other eligible initiatives that strengthen community connections. Projects should demonstrate a clear benefit to the wider community rather than primarily benefiting a single organisation or a commercial interest. Community Need and Local Support Applications are encouraged to demonstrate a clear understanding of local community needs.

Applicants should provide evidence of:

- Community need. - Community consultation. - Community support. - Expected benefits for local residents. - Opportunities for community participation. Showing that the proposed project has been developed in response to a genuine local need can strengthen the overall application. Inclusion and Accessibility The Community Support Fund values projects that promote inclusion and accessibility for residents across Bellingen Shire. Applicants should consider how their projects can enable people from different backgrounds and circumstances to participate and benefit. Projects that reduce barriers to participation and improve access to community activities can align well with the programme’s objectives. How Much Funding Is Available? Applicants are recommended to request up to: $2,500 However, Council will consider grants of up to: $5,000 for projects that clearly demonstrate significant community benefit and strong alignment with the programme objectives. Applicants requesting more than the recommended $2,500 should clearly explain why the additional funding is necessary and how it will contribute to significant community outcomes. Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

- Incorporated not-for-profit organisations with a registered ABN. - Unincorporated groups with an eligible auspicing body. - Registered charities. - Social enterprises. Applicants should ensure that their organisation meets the relevant eligibility requirements before submitting an application. Auspiced Applications Unincorporated community groups can apply when they have an eligible auspicing body. An auspicing arrangement allows an eligible organisation to support the group in applying for and administering the grant. Applicants using an auspice should ensure that the relevant arrangement and documentation are in place before applying. Where Must Projects Take Place? Projects must take place within Bellingen Shire. The project should provide a clear benefit to the local community and contribute to the social, cultural, recreational or community development objectives of the fund. Organisations located outside the Shire are not eligible to apply. Project Completion Requirement All funded projects must be completed before 30 June 2027. Applicants should therefore develop a realistic project timeline and ensure that the proposed activities can be delivered within the required period. Who Is Not Eligible? The following applicants are not eligible: - Individuals. - Commercial enterprises. - Organisations located outside Bellingen Shire. - State government agencies. - Federal government agencies. Projects are also ineligible when they fall into any of the following categories: - Projects that have already commenced. - Projects undertaken for commercial gain. - Projects that have already received funding from the programme during the same financial year. Previously Funded Projects Projects that have already received funding from the Community Support Fund during the same financial year are not eligible for additional funding. Applicants should therefore check whether their proposed project has previously received support before submitting a new request. Projects Must Not Have Started Funding is intended for projects that have not yet commenced. Applicants should not begin the proposed project before applying if doing so would make the project ineligible. This requirement helps ensure that grant funding supports activities planned for delivery during the relevant funding period. Commercial Activities The Community Support Fund is intended to deliver community benefits rather than commercial returns. Projects undertaken primarily for commercial gain are not eligible. Social enterprises may apply, but their proposed projects should meet the programme’s community-focused objectives rather than being designed solely to generate commercial benefits. What Makes a Strong Application? A strong application should clearly demonstrate the project’s value to Bellingen Shire.

Applicants should explain:

- What the project will deliver. - Why the project is needed. - Who will benefit. - How the community has been consulted or has exp