The Grants for the Community Program allocates small grants to not for profit community and sporting organisations, individuals, small businesses, social enterprises and performing arts organisations in the Willoughby Local Government Area (LGA).

The Grants for the Community Program is open all year round and applications will be assessed and approved on a quarterly basis. The Grants for the Community Program funding is allocated on an annual basis as part of Council budget process.

Applicants need to demonstrate how their project will address one or more priorities of Council's Community Strategic Plan (CSP), Our Future Willoughby 2032:

• A City that is Green
• A City that is Connected and Inclusive and Resilient
• A City that is Liveable
• A City that is Prosperous and Vibrant
• A City that is Effective and Accountable.

The maximum amount that will be granted is $10,000 excl. GST. The minimum that will be awarded is $500 excl. GST.

Please note: The 2024/25 funding pool has now been fully expended. Applications are now being taken for the 2025/26 funding pool to be submitted to Council in July 2025.

Priority funding will be provided to projects that help the community achieve the following:

• Increased community resilience to respond to shocks and stresses
• Enhanced community connectedness
• Access to high quality entertainment and events

General eligibility

To be eligible for funding, you must: 

• Be a not for profit, incorporated group or group with an auspice by an incorporated body. Profit making organisations may apply within the Green or Prosperous and Vibrant grant streams.
• Be a community sporting group or individual athlete (Liveable grant stream only) 
• Be an Individual artists or artist collaborative (Green, Connected and Inclusive and Resilient, Liveable and Prosperous and Vibrant streams only
• Offer services to residents in the Willoughby LGA 
• Meet the grant eligibility criteria
• Demonstrate in your application the ability to successfully deliver the project
• Demonstrate in your application how the project aligns with at least one of Council’s CSP priorities 
• Only submit one application per applicant per year
• Have current Public Liability Insurance ($10 million)

Who cannot apply:

• Applicants who have failed to comply with previous funding requirements
• Applicants that are in a position to self-fund their project 
• Applicants with considerable opportunity to access funding from other sources 
• Applicants that are already receiving considerable in kind assistance from Council. For example, free or discounted venue hire over $10,000 per annum. 
• Government departments or agencies. 
• Individuals who are not endorsed by a recognised body 
• Individuals who have received funding in the previous year. Applications may be re-considered if undertaking a new partnership or part of a community based project. 
• Council staff can not apply for personal funding under Council programs

Specific eligibility

A city that is green

• Not for profit incorporated groups or groups with an auspice by an incorporated body 
• Local small businesses 
• Social enterprises
• Individual artists or artist collaboratives

A city that is connected and inclusive

• Not for profit incorporated groups or groups with an auspice by an incorporated body
• Individual artists or artist collaboratives
• Local creative arts groups and individuals

A city that is liveable

• Not for profit incorporated groups or groups with an auspice by an incorporated body
• Community sporting organisations 
• Individual sportspersons
• Local creative arts groups and individuals
• Individual artists or artist collaboratives

A city that is prosperous and vibrant

• Not for profit incorporated groups or groups with an auspice by an incorporated body
• Local small businesses 
• Social enterprises
• Individuals
• Local creative arts groups and individuals

A city that is effective and accountable

• Not for profit incorporated groups or groups with an auspice by an incorporated body

• Phone: 02 9777 7982
• Email: grants@willoughby.nsw.gov.au