Community Assistance Program (Australia)

Deadline: 28-Feb-25

The City of Busselton is inviting applications for the Community Assistance Program that provides community grant funding to support initiatives that contribute to the social, environmental and cultural development of the local community.

Funding Streams

• The Community Assistance Program consists of three different funding streams:
  • Assistance Grant – For programs, services or activities that benefit the local community with a focus on one of the following sectors: Seniors; Children and Youth; Sport, Recreation and Leisure; Community Wellbeing (e.g. mental health, family and domestic violence, homelessness, access and inclusion); Arts and Culture; Community Safety. A maximum allocation of 60% of the total project cost with applications up to $10,000.
  • Revitalisation Grant – Assistance for infrastructure development, facility maintenance, facility upgrades and the revitalisation of places and spaces. A maximum allocation of 60% of the total project cost with applications up to $10,000.
  • Revitalisation Grant Plus – For contributions towards significant infrastructure development and when external funding is being sourced e.g. Lotterywest, Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) grants. These external funding grants generally require co-contribution between the community organisation, local government and the external funding body. Applications for $10,000 plus, per application.

Eligible Projects 

• Assistance Grant
  • New services, programs and activities aimed at specific target groups to meet an identified need or address an identified gap.
    • Eligible community sectors include: Seniors; Children and Youth; Sport, Recreation and Leisure; Community Wellbeing (e.g. mental health, family and domestic violence, homelessness, access and inclusion); Arts and Culture; Community Safety.
  • Programs aimed at training, development, retention and recruitment of volunteers (including purchase of equipment relevant to the program).
• Revitalisation Grant
  • Minor infrastructure projects, maintenance and renewal projects.
  • Upgrades to existing community facilities.
  • Projects must be undertaken by organisations that have an official tenure agreement on land owned by Local, State, Commonwealth Government or eligible entity.
• Revitalisation Plus Grant
  • Significant infrastructure projects where external funding is being sought or secured e.g. Lotterywest, Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF), Commonwealth Government or other external funding source.
  • Projects must be undertaken by groups/organisations that have an official tenure agreement on land owned by Local, State, Commonwealth Government or eligible entity.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Community Assistance Program is available to incorporated community groups and not-for-profit organisations that provide services or activities within the City of Busselton.
• Applicants who have already received any funding from the City of Busselton in the same financial year are not eligible to apply for further funding.
• Applicants are to demonstrate:
  • How their project meets an identified community need;
  • How the impact on the community will be measured;
  • How it is proposed to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the project;
  • Capacity to fund any ongoing maintenance and life cycle costs; and
  • If financial assistance has been sought from other sources.

For more information, visit City of Busselton.