2026-2027 COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM - COMMUNITY PROJECT AND SIGNATURE COMMUNITY EVENT GRANTS - SUMMARY · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                                 9 JUNE 2026


B. Approve the allocation of the remaining 2026/27 Community Project Grants budget to Quick
   Response grants and emergent grant requirements that may arise throughout the year, subject
   to sufficient funds being allocated in Council’s adopted 2026/27 Community Grants Program
   budget.


REPORT
Background
Noosa Council's Community Grants program assists in delivering Council’s strategic goals and
objectives. The funding is intended to help community organisations meet community needs, build
community skills and resilience, support community connection and develop and maintain
community infrastructure. The grants program is administered through an equitable and transparent
process whereby funds are awarded to projects which best meet the relevant criteria and represent
value for ratepayer money.

Community Project Grants
The Community Project Grants are being offered in one major round (Round #24) for 2026-27. The
grant opportunity was advertised in local media, e-newsletters and through community networks as
well as grant information sessions. The round opened on 9 February 2026 and closed on the 23
March 2026.

Community grant projects may include, but are not restricted to:
Events
•   Community based festivals or events that bring residents together (beyond the applicant
    organisation’s membership base), including cultural, sports or community festivals.
Projects/Programs
•   Projects or programs that respond to a specific opportunity or need within the community.
    Ongoing projects or programs may be funded for a maximum of three times. Previous recipients
    of ongoing projects or programs that have been funded by Council must re-apply each year.
Infrastructure
•   Building work or infrastructure improvement projects that include new or replacement
    infrastructure or maintenance of existing infrastructure. This may include but is not limited to
    energy efficient lighting, shade sails, storage facilities, new or upgraded amenities, water
    harvesting, fit outs, solar systems etc.
Equipment
•   Purchases of equipment that respond to a specific opportunity or need within the community.
A total of 45 applications were received in Round 24 with total funds requested of $626,319.
Applications were initially checked for mandatory eligibility against the Noosa Council Grants Policy
(Community Grants Policy) and Guidelines. Applications which met the mandatory eligibility criteria
were then reviewed and assessed by staff with a broad range of skills, knowledge and expertise
against the following criteria:
•   Demonstrated need for the project
•   Benefit to the community organisation
•   Benefit to the wider community
•   Alignment with Council’s strategic plans, goals and identified key initiatives/priorities
•   Contributions, financial or in-kind, toward the project
•   Organisational capacity and capability to deliver the project within the grant timeframes