Community Grants
On 15 February 2024, an information session was held that provided an overview of what grants are offered by Council for the community, how to apply and tips for writing a grant application. The recording of this session is available below. The Powerpoint Presentation - Grants for Community has also been made available.
Applying for a Grant
Council now provides an online grant application service powered by SmartyGrants where you can prepare and submit your application. SmartyGrants allows users to work on their application progressively and securely.
Before starting your application please read the criteria for the specific funding program. Funding and eligibility criteria apply to all grants.
If you experience any technical issues when completing your application please contact SmartyGrants on 03 9320 6888.
Hills and Coast Grant Finder
Regional Development Australia Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island along with participating councils across the region have introduced the Hills & Coast Grant Finder to help individuals, businesses, community groups, sports clubs and other not-for-profits source and apply for grant funding opportunities.
The site provides a comprehensive list of available grant and funding opportunities and is a free service. Visit www.rdahc.grantguru.com.au
The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing has a variety of funding opportunities available. For instance, the Active Club Program provides assistance to active recreation and sport clubs with minor facilities, and programs and equipment.
To find out what funding programs are available visit the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing website.
Arts South Australia connects the arts and culture sector in South Australia with financial support for a range of activities.
Spanning art forms and areas of practice, funding supports professional artists and arts organisations to develop, make work and engage with audiences.
For more information visit: www.dpc.sa.gov.au/responsibilities/arts-and-culture/grants
- community grants community grants
- environmental grants environmental grants
- community event support program community event support program
Council is committed to encouraging community groups in the council area to deliver projects that are of benefit to the community. The Community Grant scheme is a way of empowering communities to apply for funding to progress and improve their local area through planned assistance and equitable distribution of limited funding from council.
How often are Community Grants offered?
There are usually two (2) rounds of Community Grants offered per financial year with applications being open around August/September and February/March for about 4-6 weeks. Due to the Local Government elections and subsequent caretaker period, no round will be offered in September 2022 and instead all monies are available in the February 2023 round.
Is there a limit to how much funding can be applied for?
The average grant amount is approximately $2,500 however larger or smaller amounts will be considered. Funds are not provided on a recurrent basis and funding success does not guarantee Council contributions in future years.
How do I know if I'm eligible to apply?
Please read the Community Grants Program Criteria prior to submitting an application for more information. This document includes the assessment criteria, one of which refers to alignment with Council's Community Plan (provided here for your reference).
Funding applications for event support should be sought through Council's Event Support Program run in April each year. For more information, contact the Events and Tourism Support Officer on 8391 7200.
What happens after applications close?
Once a grant round has closed, the Community Grants Assessment Committee assess the applications received against the assessment criteria contained in the Community Grants Criteria. The Committee then provides recommendations to the full Council for consideration. The Committee generally meet within 4 weeks after applications close with the recommendations provided to the following Council meeting.
Following endorsement at the Council meeting, applicants are notified via email and if successful are required to complete a conditions of grant acceptance form and attach an invoice for the successful grant amount which will be processed.
Information regarding the Community Grants Assessment Committee including the Terms of Reference and agenda and minute documents can be found on the Community Grants Assessment Committee page.
2023/24 Round 1 Community Grant Successful Applicants
Community Grants 2023/24 Round 2
| Applications open | 7 February 2024 |
| Applications close | 11 March 2024 (midnight) |
| Community Grants Assessment Committee meeting | 2 May 2024 |
| Council meeting | 20 May 2024 |
| Expected notification | 21 May 2024 |
| Grant to be claimed | by 21 June 2024 |
| Grant to be expended and acquitted | by 20 May 2025 (12 months from full Council meeting) |
Apply here
More information
If you would like further information, please contact Peter McGinn, Senior Community Development Officer on 8391 7284 or via email pmcginn@mountbarker.sa.gov.au
The Environmental Grant Program is run once a year, usually around February.
The purpose of this program is to offer financial assistance to community, environmental, service groups and associations that provide benefit to the local and regional environment. Funds are not provided on a recurrent basis and funding success does not guarantee Council contributions in future years.
Further information can be found in the Environmental Grants Criteria document below:
If you have any questions about the Environmental Grants and the criteria please contact:
Emma Montgomery, Environmental Project Officer on 8391 7217 or emontgomery@mountbarker.sa.gov.au
2022/23 Environmental Grant Successful Applicants
Environmental Grants 2023/24
| Applications open | 7 February 2024 |
| Applications close | 11 March 2024 (midnight) |
| Community Grants Assessment Committee meeting | 2 May 2024 |
| Council meeting | 20 May 2024 |
| Expected notification | 21 May 2024 |
| Grant to be claimed | by 21 June 2024 |
| Grant to be expended and acquitted | 20 May 2025 (12 months from full Council meeting) |
Apply here
The Community Event Support Program is offered once a year, usually in April/May for events scheduled in the next financial year.
Vibrant community events play a vital role in social connections, increasing visitations and economic development. Through the annual Community Event Support Program, Mount Barker District Council provide assistance to community groups to deliver regional and local community events within the Mount Barker District Council.
If your group wants to host a regional or local community event, you are invited to read the Community Event Support Program Criteria as well as the Frequently Asked Questions to ascertain eligibility and develop your need for funding.
This grant round will offer regional events up to $5,000 and local community events up to $2,500 in financial support. In addition to the financial request, applicants are encouraged to forecast the in-kind support that will be requested from Council (i.e. event equipment, traffic signage, grounds preparation).
Council is committed to ensuring transparent and equitable investment across the district, however at times, the funds available may not allow us to support all events with a financial contribution. In these instances, there are ways which we can assist events with in-kind support. For example, instead of hiring event infrastructure such as marquees, signage and bunting, these items can be borrowed for free from Council.
Community Event Support Program Timeline
| Applications open | 2 May 2023 |
| Applications close | 12 June 2023 (midnight) |
| Assessment | mid-June 2023 |
| Council endorsement | 7 August 2023 |
| Expected notification | 9 August 2023 |
| Grant to be claimed | by 31 August 2023 |
| Grant to be expended and acquitted | by 14 June 2024 (or earlier during the financial year it is awarded) |