Brisbane City Council offers a range of different grants and funding programs to local non-profit community groups to help develop and improve services and facilities across Brisbane.
Available grants and funding programs include:
- Community Grants Program
- Lord Mayor’s Helen Taylor award for history
- Lord Mayor’s Sustainability Grant
- Environmental Grants Program
- Senior Citizens Grants Program
- Community Support Funding Program
- Creative Sparks Grants Program
- Lord Mayor’s Suburban Initiative Fund
- Lord Mayor’s Young and Emerging Artists Fellowship
Application forms and guidelines for each program, as well as information relating to opening and closing dates, is available from www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or by calling 3403 8888.
COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM
This program provides funding to local non-profit community groups to improve and develop services in Brisbane.
Brisbane City Council is looking to fund projects that achieve one or more of the following criteria:
- develop and improve facilities for community use
- encourage physical activity
- respond to local and city wide community issues
- foster an understanding of Brisbane’s history and cultural heritage
- promote creativity, culture or the arts
- develop the capacity of local community groups to deliver services
Two funding rounds are held each year and funding amounts range from:
- $2,000 to $10,000
- $10,001 to $50,000
LORD MAYOR’S HELEN TAYLOR AWARD FOR LOCAL HISTORY
The Lord Mayor’s Helen Taylor award for local history honours the work of the late historian, Helen Taylor.
One award of up to $10,000 is given annually to a history student or independent researcher whose work looks at Brisbane’s history, or a particular aspect of it.
Eligible projects include those that:
- unearth less well known aspects of Brisbane’s history or heritage
- make Brisbane’s history or heritage available to a wide audience
- focus on local Indigenous history or heritage
Application forms and guidelines are also available from Council libraries and Ward Offices.
ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS PROGRAM
Brisbane City Council’s Environmental Grants Program aims to enhance the City of Brisbane’s sustainability and liveability by supporting non-profit community based groups and organisations to contribute towards addressing local or citywide environment issues on Council owned land.
The program aims to:
- Assist Brisbane’s community groups to undertake environmental initiatives that address regional, significant, local or citywide environmental issues
- Assist the day to day activities of local community groups
- Develop partnerships and networks in the community
- Encourage integration with other groups/grants to support environmental sustainable development initiatives, e.g. environmental, social outcomes, employment.
Two funding rounds are held each year. The majority of grants generally range between $600 and $6,000, however for sporting club rainwater harvesting applications there will be a maximum of $10,000 available per application.
SENIOR CITIZEN’S GRANTS PROGRAM
The Senior Citizens Funding Program helps senior citizen groups to cover the cost of activities such as social outings and Christmas parties.
Funding is available to:
- non-funded clubs and groups providing activities for people aged 50 years and over or
- senior’s groups that are part of other organisations
COMMUNITY SUPPORT FUNDING PROGRAM
The Community Support Funding Program provides financial assistance to:
- community groups facing financial hardships who provide a community service, activity or facility that benefits Brisbane residents
Successful community groups and service providers are credited a certain percentage of their annual General Rates.
CREATIVE SPARKS GRANTS PROGRAM
The Creative Sparks program is a joint initiative of Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. This program:
- supports creative projects that enrich Brisbane’s communities
- develops the professional practice of local artists and cultural workers
Applicants may apply for up to $20,000 per application and the program offers three categories of funding:
- creative projects that enrich Brisbane’s communities
- new projects promoting professional development
- arts business partnerships
Workshops are also held throughout the application period as part of this program, and give applicants an opportunity to find out more about the Creative Sparks Program and the Lord Mayor’s Young and Emerging Artists Fellowships. Information about these workshops is available by calling 3403 8888.
LORD MAYOR’S SUBURBAN INITIATIVE FUND
The Lord Mayor’s Suburban Initiative Fund aims to meet local needs and build better local communities.
Funds are made available to all Councillors for:
- supporting local projects, such as, community activities, minor building works
- helping build stronger communities in Brisbane, such as, improving park facilities and community facilities
In order for projects to be eligible for funding, they must contribute to Council’s vision for the city’s future by creating safer and more inclusive, clean and green, active and healthy, and creative communities.
This funding is only available for incorporated, not-for-profit and taxable organisations. Projects should be located within the applicant’s Ward and should provide benefits to residents of that Ward.
In order for projects to be eligible for funding, they must contribute to at least one of the four themes listed below. In addition, projects that are eligible include those that support cultural activities, respond to special groups in the community and provide community activities such as sport and recreation.
Inclusive City- Supporting a sense of community by;
- Revitalising places and communities
- Supporting special communities
- Creating safe and supportive communities
Active and Healthy City- Focuses not only on physical fitness, clean streets and safe food and water, but also on social well-being. Projects should promote;
- An active and healthy place to live
- Fit and healthy kids
- Getting involved in new events
Creative City- Developing a city of excitement, where energy, life and vitality create a sense of cultural confidence. Funding will focus on;
- Supporting creative industries
- Expanding and promoting opportunities to be creative
Clean and Green City- Looking after and improving the natural environment, including;
- Reducing the load being placed on the environment
- Clean air
- Reducing energy use
- Waste managements
- Pollution prevention
- Preservation of our natural environment
Given that the demand for funding may exceed the available funds, not all eligible projects will be approved. As a guide, projects seeking between $100 and $5000 are likely to have the best chance of success.
*Please note that funding cannot be provided for projects that would normally be a State or Federal Government responsibility.
More information about this program is available by contacting Cr Schrinner’s Ward Office directly on 3407 1400.
LORD MAYOR’S YOUNG & EMERGING ARTISTS FELLOWSHIPS
A maximum grant of $20,000 is available to support young and emerging artists (between 17 and 30 years of age as of the closing date) to participate in national or international training and professional development programs that support their career development.
Applicants must be nominated by an individual or organisation from within the arts and cultural sector. The fellowship activity can include travel and study, secondment to an organisation, tuition, professional mentoring and instruction or a combination of these activities.
