Community grants

The total amount of funding available for the 2024-2025 Community Grants program is $100,000 set out over the following categories:

• Community Projects Fund: $30,000
• Environmental Levy Fund: $20,000
• Sporting Fund: $20,000
• Creative Macleay Fund: $20,000 (NEW) 

• In addition to this, there is also Micro Grant funding available: Up to $500 per applicant:

• Festive Micro Grant (Round 1): $4,000
• Seniors Festival Micro Grant (Round 1): $3,000
• NAIDOC Week Micro Grant (Round 2): $3,000

For more information on these funding streams and their objectives, please read the Community Grant Guidelines.(PDF, 12MB)

The main requirement is that the group needs to be a registered not-for-profit with an Australian ABN and Public Liability Insurance. Other eligibility criteria are outlined in the Community Grant Guidelines(PDF, 12MB)

Yes, but you need to be auspiced (sponsored) by a group that is a registered not-for-profit. For more information about auspicing please refer to the Community Grant Guidelines.(PDF, 12MB)

Applications are made through an online application website called SmartyGrants. To apply you will need a computer with internet access. Once the application period opens go to: https://kempsey.smartygrants.com.au

Council’s libraries have computers with internet access. Make sure you call Kempsey Library beforehand on 6566 3210. Please note the library staff can assist you in accessing the computer but cannot assist you with your application.

For handy tips on how to submit a strong application, watch this video:

If you are still unsure, or need further assistance, please contact our Community Development 6566 3200 or via email to community@kempsey.nsw.gov.au

In your grant application, we encourage you to focus on the short- and medium-term outcomes your project intends to achieve. While long-term outcomes are important, we want to understand the immediate and near-future benefits your project or activity is expected to bring to the community.

What are outputs? (What you will do)

Outputs are the things your project will create or deliver. These are specific activities or events that will happen as part of your project, and they can be counted or measured.

How to describe them: Think about the things your project will produce or deliver right away.

Examples of outputs:

· "We will run 4 community art workshops."

· "We will plant 100 native trees in the park."

· "We will hold a music festival for 300 people."

What are outcomes? (What will happen because of your project)

Outcomes are the positive changes or benefits that will happen as a result of your project. These changes can be short-term, medium-term, or long-term.

How to describe them: Think about the improvements or benefits your project will bring to people or the community.

· Short-term outcomes happen immediately or shortly after your project ends, within a few weeks or months.

· Medium-term outcomes may take a few months to a year or so to appear.

· Long-term outcomes (over a period of years) won’t happen right away, but your project helps contribute to these bigger, long-term changes. Your project won’t create these changes on its own, but it will help support them.

Short-term outcomes

These outcomes happen immediately or shortly after your project ends, within a few weeks or months.

· "Participants will feel more connected after the community art workshops."

· "The park will look nicer after we plant the trees."

· "People who attend the festival will feel a sense of celebration and community."

Medium-term outcomes

These outcomes take a bit longer to appear—anywhere from a couple of months to a year or so.

· "The skills learned in the workshops will help participants create their own art projects."

· "More people will spend time in the park, improving their health and wellbeing."

· "Participants will keep working on creative projects, building confidence and local arts capacity."

Long-term outcomes

These outcomes take the longest to achieve, usually several years or more.

· "The workshops will help build a stronger arts scene over time, leading to more arts events."

· "The park will become a popular space for community events and outdoor activities."

· "The festival will become a key event, bringing more people together each year.

Example of outputs and outcomes together

Output:

"We will run 4 community art workshops for 50 people."

Outcome:

· Short-term: "Participants will learn new skills and meet others in the community."

· Medium-term: "Participants will feel more confident in their creative abilities and may start their own art projects."

· Long-term: "The workshops will help strengthen the local arts scene over time, but this will happen alongside other community efforts."

Example budget, including in-kind contributions:

How much funding are you requesting for your project?

$2,500

What is the co-contribution amount for your project?

$3,196.20

Total Income: $5996.20

Total Expenditure: $5996.20

*Ensure your income matches your expenditure*

An organisations contribution may be financial, in-kind materials and/or volunteer labour. For projects that currently include volunteer labour, the Community Grants Program currently rates voluntary labour at $43.27 per hour.

1 January 2024

Community Development Officer

Kempsey Shire Council

PO BOX 3078

WEST KEMPSEY NSW 2440

Dear Community Development Officer,

Letter of Support – Community Grants Program – (Enter project name)

I would like to support the application by the <Add name of Agency seeking Grant Funds for a Community Grant>.

I am the (President/Chairperson), of (e.g. Helping People Organisation) a (describe

type of agency e.g. not-for profit/Government agency/peak industry body). Our goal is to ... (describe purpose of agency).

On behalf of the Helping People Organisation, I would like to support the application by

(Add agency name applying for grant) for a Community Grant. (Describe why the letter writer is supporting the agency applying for a grant, why the project is important/needed in the community and why you believe the group can successfully deliver the project).

Yours sincerely,

Name

Position

Organisation

If you are running an event on Council owned land or Crown Reserve land managed by Council, you will need to lodge an Event Application Form. Please provide at least 6 weeks processing time for your application. For more information, please contact Council’s Customer Service team on 02 6566 3200 or via email to ksc@kempsey.nsw.gov.au.

If you are undertaking a more permanent project on Council owned land or Crown Reserve land managed by Council, you will need to seek permission and request a formal letter in writing with the following information:

• Who is applying?
• What is the project you are applying for?
• Who will be undertaking the work? If it is a registered business, please provide details.
• What are the ongoing benefits to the community?
• Why is this project needed?
• How much is the project going to cost?
• Who will be responsible for ongoing maintenance?

This request can be made via email to ksc@kempsey.nsw.gov.au. Please provide a minimum of 10 business days' notice for formal consent to be given. Requests received with less than 10 business days, may result in an inability to process your request.

If you receive grant or sponsorship funding from Kempsey Shire Council, it's essential to acknowledge Council's support. The attached guideline outlines how to do so.

Acknowledging-Councils-Support-for-Community-Grants-and-Funding.pdf(PDF, 344KB)