26 February 2010

$20,000 on offer through Council's 2010 Community Grants Scheme

Central Goldfields Shire Council's Community Grants Scheme for 2010 launched this week with $20,000 available to local, not-for-profit groups to assist with important community building initiatives and services.

The scheme incorporates three funding categories: physical infrastructure, community development, and creativity and innovation. Funding amounts between $500 and $5000 will be awarded. Previous recipients of the grant include community groups from Bealiba, Carisbrook, Dunolly, Maryborough and Talbot.

Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Chris Meddows-Taylor said the scheme is particularly advantageous to the community's smaller groups.

"Council understands that small groups can be overlooked in major state and federal funding schemes. Others require partnership contributory funding. This scheme is ideally suited to both these situations," said Cr Meddows-Taylor. 

"This year Council has significantly increased the amount of money that will be awarded through this program to reinforce how important the work by not-for-profit groups is, and how important they are as partners of Council in working for the improvement of the shire.

"Council is very excited to read the applications as we believe many quality and highly beneficial proposals will come to light," Cr Meddows-Taylor said.

Every application will be considered by Council. To be successful, applications must meet all eligibility criteria, outlined in the scheme guidelines, and fit into one of the three categories previously mentioned.

Application forms and guidelines are now available from the office of Central Goldfields Shire Council or can be downloaded (see below).

Closing date for applications is Wednesday, 7 April 2010. Successful applicants will be announced in early May.

Further information about the scheme can be obtained by calling Marita Turner on 5461 0610.

Media contact: Mark Johnston, Chief Executive Officer, Goldfields Shire Council, 03 5461 0610

 2010 Community Grants Scheme Application (pdf 43 kb)

 2010 Community Grant Scheme Guidelines (pdf 49 kb)