APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THREE COMMUNITY GRANTS
Applications are now open for a number of Community Service Grants across the Dubbo Local Government Area.
Community groups are encouraged to apply for a share of $59,245.88 from the Community Services Fund, $15,258 from the Financial Assistance Program and $85,000 from the Bodangora Community Benefit Fund.
The funds, facilitated by Dubbo Regional Council, aim to support projects and programs that deliver social, cultural or environmental benefits for communities throughout the LGA.
Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Mathew Dickerson said Council had a responsibility to use its budget to better the community it serves.
“What a fantastic way to recognise the hard work and dedication of local community groups and not-for-profit organisations by allocating some of these funds to their initiatives,” Clr Dickerson said.
“There is no doubt our communities have been through some trying times and some of our not-for-profit groups have been at the heart of making sure we have gotten through this.
“By allocating these funds we are able to ensure they will be there to assist the community long into the future,” Clr Dickerson said.
Community Services Fund: $59,245.88
These grants help groups secure a range of resources and deliver value-added services for the community.
Eligible applications must meet the following criteria and will be reviewed by an internal panel before being considered by Council at the March 2023 meeting.
To be successful for Community Services funding, applicants must:
• Deliver social, cultural or environmental benefits to the communities of the DRC Local Government Area;
• The project or program must address an identified community priority;
• Demonstrate the capacity to manage funds and deliver the project within 12 months;
• Demonstrate how the funding shall enable the community-based organisation to deliver a service/benefit to the community.
It is a requirement to read the updated guidelines prior to submitting an application.
Financial Assistance Program: $15,258
This funding is based on merit and benefits to the community and is for groups based in the LGA or who are delivering a service or activity in the LGA.
Each year Council dedicates $30,000 to the Community Financial Assistance Program to ease the burden for not-for-profit organisations that contribute to the community.
This is the second round of the program for the 2022/2023 year.
The funding provides a much-needed boost to help community groups complete projects or pay for resources that help them deliver valued activities and services to residents in the LGA.
Bodangora Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund: $85,000
This funding, which is only for eligible Wellington and District Community Groups, has been made available as a result of the planning agreement made between Iberdrola Australia, Bodangora Wind Farm Pty Ltd and Dubbo Regional Council. Council will make available $85,000 provided in development contributions to the Community Benefit Fund annually over the first 25 years of the wind farm operation.
Michael Bullock, Iberdrola Australia’s Bodangora Site Manager said that the Bodangora Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund makes a tangible difference to community projects around the Wellington area.
“Iberdrola Australia are committed to supporting our local communities for the long term. We have pledged $1.25M to the Community Benefit Fund over the first 25 years of operation. In 2022 we were delighted to have contributed too many community groups including Wellington Senior Citizens Club, Wellington Junior Rugby Union, Wellington Golf Club and the Cudgegong Jump Club which is located within the leased area of the Wind Farm. We would like to encourage as many community groups as possible to apply for funding in the upcoming round,” said Mr Bullock.
Applications for programs/projects will be rated on the following criteria:
• Deliver social, cultural, economic or environmental benefits to local communities of the Wellington district.
• Address an identified community priority.
• Demonstrate that any ongoing or recurrent costs of the project can be met by the community group once grant funding has been expensed
• The organisation must demonstrate the capacity to manage funds and deliver the project.
• Is the proposed project activity based within the Wellington and district community?
Applications for each of the funds are open until 28 February 2023, and can be made via the link: www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/funding.
Last Edited: 17 Jul 2023