A planned overhaul of the City of Whittlesea’s Community Grants program is expected to make it easier for individuals and groups to secure funding for worthy causes.
At last week’s council meeting, administrators resolved to release draft Community Grants guidelines and commence a month-long consultation process, with the proposed changes designed to simplify the application process and ensure grants are distributed in an equitable way.
The guidelines were informed by feedback from council’s partners and previous grant recipients in combination with analysis of best practice within the local government sector and beyond.
Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said council was excited to partner with more individuals, groups and organisations to deliver beneficial events and programs.
“The grants program is a great way to support the terrific work done by so many people for the benefit of our community,” she said.
“Updating the guidelines means that funding opportunities will be available for more people, providing they meet the eligibility criteria.”
The draft guidelines would see council offer six categories of grants – small, medium, large, individual, unincorporated groups and emergency – while year-round grants with monthly or quarterly approval rounds would also be introduced.
Emergency grants have been proposed to provide immediate support to eligible applicants experiencing unforeseen financial hardship.
The draft guidelines opened for feedback last Wednesday and will close on June 13. For more information, people can visit engage.whittlesea.vic.gov.au.
