Call for Applications: Small Grants Fund (Australia)

Deadline: 02-Nov-2026

The City of Parramatta Council Small Grants Fund is inviting applications from voluntary and staffed not-for-profit organisations for funding to deliver one-off projects and capacity-building activities that benefit communities across the Parramatta Local Government Area (LGA). The fund is part of the Council’s Quarterly Grants Program and aims to strengthen local community resources, build networks and partnerships, encourage community participation, and improve equity and inclusion. Eligible organisations can apply for up to $3,000 per application to support discrete projects or activities that demonstrate a clear and direct benefit to people living in the Parramatta LGA.

About the Small Grants Fund

The Small Grants Fund supports voluntary and staffed not-for-profit incorporated organisations seeking to develop and implement community-focused projects. The programme is designed to help organisations: - Develop community resources - Strengthen local networks and partnerships - Increase community involvement in project delivery - Improve social participation and inclusion - Support people experiencing social exclusion, marginalisation, or isolation - Build organisational and community capacity Projects should address a genuine local need and demonstrate how the proposed activity will benefit the Parramatta community. Funding Available Applicants can request up to $3,000 per application through the Small Grants Fund. The Small Grants Fund forms part of the Quarterly Grants Program, which has a total funding pool of $70,000. Only one application per organisation will be funded during a financial year, regardless of how many applications the organisation submits. What Projects Can Be Funded? Projects should be discrete, community-focused activities that align with the Council’s Community Funding Priorities. Examples of potential community outcomes include: - Increasing social participation - Improving access to information - Building community skills and knowledge - Strengthening connections between individuals and groups - Supporting people experiencing financial hardship - Improving community sustainability outcomes - Increasing inclusion and participation among socially excluded or marginalised groups - Addressing isolation within local communities The proposed project should demonstrate a clear connection to the Parramatta LGA and explain how local residents or communities will benefit. Community Funding Priorities Applications should align with the Council’s Community Funding Priorities. Particular emphasis is placed on projects that promote equity and inclusion, especially for people who may experience: - Social exclusion - Marginalisation - Isolation - Barriers to community participation - Financial hardship Applicants should clearly explain the community need being addressed and how the proposed project will create a practical benefit for local residents. Who Is Eligible to Apply? The Small Grants Fund is open to: - Voluntary not-for-profit incorporated organisations - Staffed not-for-profit incorporated organisations - Organisations operating under an auspice arrangement with an eligible incorporated not-for-profit organisation The applicant or auspice arrangement must satisfy the programme’s eligibility requirements. Where Must Projects Be Delivered? Projects must be delivered within the Parramatta Local Government Area or demonstrate a clear and direct connection to the Parramatta LGA. Applicants should explain the local relevance of their project and identify the communities or residents who will benefit. A strong application should make the Parramatta connection clear rather than relying on general statements about community benefit. Project Completion Requirements Funded projects must be completed within six months of receiving funding. Successful organisations must also submit their required acquittal documentation within four weeks of completing the project. Applicants should therefore develop realistic project timelines and ensure they have sufficient capacity to complete the activity and reporting requirements within the required periods. What Funding Cannot Be Used For The Small Grants Fund does not support all types of expenditure.

Funding cannot be used for:

- Conference attendance - Academic course fees - General travel - Day-to-day operational expenses The funding is intended for discrete projects and capacity-building activities rather than routine organisational operations. How to Develop a Strong Application Organisations should clearly demonstrate the local need and expected community benefit of their proposed project.

A strong application should explain:

- What community issue the project will address - Why the project is needed - Who will benefit - How the activity will increase participation, inclusion, skills, connections, or other relevant outcomes - How the project aligns with Council’s Community Funding Priorities - How the project directly benefits the Parramatta LGA - How the organisation will deliver the project within six months - How the requested funding will contribute to the project Projects that clearly identify a local need and provide practical community outcomes are well positioned to demonstrate their relevance to the fund. Capacity Building Activities The Small Grants Fund can also support capacity-building activities where they contribute to stronger community organisations and improved local outcomes. Applicants should demonstrate how the proposed activity will strengthen their ability to engage with communities, develop resources, build partnerships, or deliver better community services and activities. Capacity building should have a clear connection to the broader benefit of the Parramatta community. Equity and Inclusion Equity and inclusion are important considerations within the Small Grants Fund. Projects should consider how they can reduce barriers to participation and create opportunities for people who may other