The purpose of Council’s community donations program is to provide financial assistance in a consistent, fair and transparent manner, in line with the Community Donations Policy.
If you are a:
- local community service
- cultural or sporting organisation
- charitable or non-profit organisation
And your service or organisation:
- operates within or provides benefit to the residents of the Shoalhaven
- conducts quality cultural, sporting and community service programs and activities in the Shoalhaven
- cannot attract sufficient funds from other sources
You may be eligible for the community donations program.
Eligibility criteria
What applications are eligible?
Applications for donations will only be considered if they are classified as one of four (4) categories:
- general donations (culture and community)
- sponsorship of local events
- subsidised rental, rates and use of Council facilities
- environment
The following criteria applies to ALL donation categories:
- what key priorities of the Community Wellbeing Strategy does the project meet? (view our Community Wellbeing Strategy)
- who and how many benefit from the project/event (target group)?
- to what degree is the group/project/event self-financing?
- has the need for the project/event been demonstrated?
- has the need for funding or subsidy been demonstrated?
- is the organisation able to make a contribution either in monetary funds or in kind, e.g. labour, materials, etc?
- what efforts have been made to seek funds from other sources?
- does the application have a broad community focus?
- if the project/event has a regional focus what benefit will occur for Shoalhaven residents?
What applications are NOT eligible?
Applications will NOT be eligible for funding if any of the following apply:
- the benefit is primarily to an individual
- duplication of service or project already existing within the Shoalhaven Local Government Area
- projects occurring outside the Shoalhaven Local Government Area
- projects that are retrospective - i.e. projects/events that have been held prior to the opening date of the current grants program
- projects which do not align with Council’s Community Wellbeing Strategy
- applicants are able to self-fund the project
- a more applicable funding source is available
- the applicants are government departments or agencies
- the application is for capital funds (e.g. building and building maintenance costs)
- the application is for a fee waiver that is dealt with under the Fee Waivers, Subisidies and Support Policy and Waiving of Development Application Fees & Other Fees for Charitable Organisations & Community Groups
- the project will financially benefit a profit-making organisation, individual or government department
- projects and facilities or services are controlled through Council appointed management committees (where these projects, facilities or services are not under Council’s direct care and control)
- the proceeds or entry fee from a project or event are being donated to another organisation
- there is no direct benefit to Shoalhaven residents
Important information
Things to consider for your application
How to apply
Complete the online form below.
Applications close Friday 3 May 2024 at 5:00pm
What happens next?
Upon closure of the application period, the following process will occur:
- applications will be assessed by Council’s Donations Assessment Panel to ensure that the application meets the eligibility criteria outlined below
- the panel will make a formal recommendation to Council seeking support for financial assistance on behalf of the applicants
- applicants will be notified of the date of the ordinary meeting where Council will consider the panel’s recommendation
- the elected Council will determine the funding to be provided at that meeting
- confirmation of Council’s resolution will be forwarded to all applicants (both successful and unsuccessful) following the outcome of the meeting