COMMUNITY GRANTS POLICY - REVISED · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                       20 JANUARY 2025


distributed to eligible community organisations. The grant program aligns with Council's Corporate
Plan 2023–2028, the Noosa Social Strategy 2015, and supporting strategies such as the Sport and
Active Recreation Plan and the Cultural Plan. These initiatives aim to address human social needs,
strengthen community connections and build resilience.

The Grants Program is administered by the Community Development team under a range of policies,
guidelines and procedures. The guiding policy document for the program is the Community Grants
Policy which was last reviewed by Council in May 2020.

2. Community Grants Program Review
In 2023, Council initiated a review of key policies and practices that support Noosa’s community
organisations, including the Community Grants Program and the Community Land Tenure Policy.
The Grants Program review evaluated governance, practices, purpose and impact and is aimed to
ensure that Council continues to effectively address community needs while delivering on its
strategies, policies and desired outcomes. The review was led by the Community Development team
and included support by an external contractor. It incorporated stakeholder consultation, an
assessment of other local government funding programs and consideration of resources which
included the 0.6 part-time Grants Administrator and an annual budget allocation of approximately $1
million.

The review focused on several key areas:
1. Governance: Evaluating the application of best practices, relevant legislation, and regulations to
   ensure the Community Grants Policy, program structure, and internal processes are current,
   effective at meeting the aims of the program and reduce unnecessary complexity.
2. Community Effectiveness: Identifying ways to increase community engagement with the
   program, addressing the challenges organisations face when applying for grants, and ensuring
   the program delivers strong outcomes and a return on investment.
3. Efficient Resource Allocation: Exploring the most efficient use of limited resources.
4. Maximising Funding: Ensuring that the Community Grants Policy and Program complements,
   rather than duplicates, other ongoing internal and external funding sources, such as Council's
   other grant programs, Tourism Noosa's grant funding, Gambling Community Benefit Fund, and
   relevant State Government funding.
The review did not cover changes to the overall budget allocation for the grants program or the
operational management of external funding sources. It also did not explore non-grant funding
mechanisms such as loans or other financial assistance.

The review involved engagement with both internal and external stakeholders and was benchmarked
against best practices and community grants policies from other councils. This helped to identify
areas for improvement and ensure the updated program aligns with community needs and Council’s
strategic objectives. Based on the findings, amendments to the Community Grants Policy and
structure were made, reflecting the changes that were reviewed and recommended to enhance
efficiency, equity and transparency.

3. Review Outcomes
The review found that the Community Grants Program is highly regarded by local not-for-profit
organisations. The program received generally positive feedback from both internal and external
stakeholders, particularly regarding the support provided by Council officers. Many community
organisations highlighted that the grants were essential for delivering projects and initiatives that
might not have been feasible without Council funding. These projects strengthened local networks,
promoted cultural and social inclusion, and delivered tangible benefits, such as improved community
facilities and increased accessibility. The review also recognised the program's role in encouraging
collaboration, as numerous grant recipients partnered with other organisations to maximise impact
and share resources.