Mackellar Community Grants 

A community panel recommends a number of community grant applications in Mackellar each year, administered through Sophie's electoral office. In 2023 40 local groups were collectively awarded more than $230,000, via the Government's Volunteer Grants and Stronger Communities Programme. 

“Volunteers and community groups make such a positive contribution. It is my pleasure to help support volunteers and community groups who generously support our community and make Mackellar such a caring and vibrant place to live and work.” Dr Sophie Scamps 

Volunteer Grants support the work of local community organisations by reducing barriers for volunteers and increasing participation in volunteering. Annual grants of between $1,000 - $5,000 are available to assist eligible not-for-profit community organisations that rely on volunteers. Grants can be used to purchase communication or insurance items and/or purchase items or services to assist volunteers or volunteer-run activities that support the well-being and development of children (under 18). A total pool of $66,225 has been allocated to Mackellar for 2024-25. Expressions of interest (EOI) recently lodged for the 2024–25 Volunteer Grants will soon be assessed. The Mackellar community organisations recommended as potential applicants will be contacted in early March 2025. 

Stronger Communities Programme grants of between $2,500 - $20,000 are potentially available for eligible community projects that encourage and support participation in local projects, improve local community participation and contribute to vibrant and viable communities.  Round 9 is now open for Expressions of Interest.  Full details appear blow.

OPEN NOW FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Stronger Communities Programme  

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are invited from Mackellar organisations for funding through the Stronger Communities Programme, Round 9. EOIs must be submitted by 5pm, 3/3/25 using this link.

The Stronger Communities Programme, administered by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (the Department), delivers social benefits across Australia communities by funding small capital projects in each of the 151 Federal electorates. The guidelines for this annual Programme have been revised from previous rounds. It is essential that applicants read the guidelines carefully, to assess suitability. Particularly the detail on eligible activities (5.1 and 5.2) and ineligible areas of expenditure (5.3).  (Key documents are at the bottom of the landing page)
 
Key features of the Stronger Communities Programme:

• Each electorate has total funding of up to $150,000, for a maximum of 20 projects.
• Grant amount is up to 100% of eligible project expenditure (except for local governing bodies where it is up to 50%)
• Minimum grant amount is $2,500
• Maximum grant amount is $20,000
• Maximum project cost cannot exceed $50,000
• Project must be completed by 31^st December 25

The application process will follow these steps:

1. Expressions of Interest (EOI) submitted to Mackellar electorate office by 5pm, 3/3/25 using this link.
2. Complete EOIs are considered by the Mackellar Community Grants Committee. To be considered projects must meet the Stronger Communities Programme eligibility criteria, provide value for money and be considered a proper use of public resources.
3. The Mackellar Community Grant Committee recommends 20 eligible projects by 31/3/25 to Department
4. The Department contacts the successful Mackellar organisations with “next steps” to submit their full, formal       Programme application via a Department portal. 
5. The Department assesses applications against the program’s eligibility criteria through a closed, non-competitive process. 
6. Successful applicants are announced 4 – 6 weeks later.
7. Successful projects can commence a further 1 – 3 weeks later. The Department is not responsible for any project expenditure incurred without notification of a successful grant agreement.

NOTE: The opening and closing dates on the Department website might be confusing. It refers to the period during which Dr Scamps’ Mackellar office can submit the names of organisations whose EOIs were successful (following assessment by the independent Mackellar Community Grants Committee). 

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources has a hotline - 13 28 46 – for queries about the Programme guidelines. For questions about the Mackellar EOI process, please reply to this email, or phone the electorate office on 9913 9566.

GRANT SUCCESS... 

Sunnyfield used Stronger Communities R8 grant funding for solar panels on one of their group homes...