Obtaining Grants for Your Community Organisation
It’s widely known that most community groups and centres are run on tight budgets. Often the main source of revenue is from government and charitable funding.
There is funding available from multiple sources and we have helped direct many organisations to sources they were unaware of that helped build ther new websites. Here are some options for you to investigate to help you take the steps in implementing a system that helps and supports your centre and its staff with the Community Organisational Wizard.
Grant Sources
Lotterywest
While the criteria might change, generally up to $15,000 can be given for associations without an ABN and with an ABN the limit is higher.
https://www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au/grants/grant-opportunities
Local Councils
The funds given may vary. We have had councils granting amounts of $5,000 towards websites and systems for community organisations. It is defintiely worth putting your case before your local council, they are often sympathetic knowing the assistance your organisation gives to their area. If you discuss your needs with the local council, sometimes these grants can be increased.
e.g. City of Canning https://www.canning.wa.gov.au/our-community/community-initiatives/community-grants-program
and City of Gosnells https://www.gosnells.wa.gov.au/Lifestyle/Get_involved/Community_Funding_Program
ConnectGroups
Generally they offer smaller grants than Lotterywest but the turnaround time for a grant is less.
Large Banks
If you type into Google bank name (e.g. Westpac) “community grants” you will generally find a page on the bank website. e.g. https://www.westpac.com.au/about-westpac/our-foundations/westpac-foundation/news/announcing-our-next-100-community-grants/ If you do the same for all major banks you will generally find a community grant page.
Large Corporates
Similalrly Company name “community grants” . Each corporate will have different things they fund communities for. Generally, if you choose the top 100 Australian companies they have money available.
The Benefits
- Simplify Department of Communities 6 Monthly Reporting
- Grant Applications - Provides Necessary Statistics
- Internal Reporting Provides Important Centre Insights
- Reduced Staff Administration Time & Costs
- Adminstration Dashboard With Reports, Courses, Bookings & Attendees All In One Place
- No More Manual Reporting Calculations
- Board Management Statistics Easily Provided
- Simple Course Management – Add, Adjust, Delete
- Allows Course Bookings Online 24/7
- Cash & Credit Card Walk-in Bookings Accepted
- Easy Individual & Multiple Course Bookings By Clients
- Attendee Managed Profile – Keeps Complete History Of Their Bookings
- Increase Security By Minimising Cash Transactions
- History Kept Of All Attendee's Bookings
- Keep Track Of & Action Attendee Credits Or Refunds