2020-07-07 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE AGENDA                                            7 JULY 2020


2    COMMUNITY DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOVERY GRANTS – COVID-19

Author            Community Development Manager. Alison Hamblin
                  Community Services Department

Index             ECM/ 26.01 Community Development Grant Scheme

Attachments       1.   Funding Allocated - Community Disaster Response and Recovery
                       Grants for COVID-19


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Community Development Manager to the Services &
Organisation Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2020 providing an update on the allocations of
funding under the Community Disaster Response and Recovery Grants for COVID-19.

REPORT
The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on the outcome of the 19/20
Community Disaster Response and Recovery Grant round for COVID-19.
1.   Background
In a response to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic the Round 13 Community Grants – Projects
was put on hold and the Community Disaster Response and Recovery Grants for COVID-19 was
offered for a single competitive round. Applicants had to apply for a maximum of $2,500 and needed
to demonstrate their need for external funding support. Applicants also needed to meet the standard
requirements within the Community Grants Policy.
2.   Assessment
The Community Development team have conducted the application and assessment process for the
Community Disaster Response and Recovery Grants for COVID-19 and have allocated the funding
following the May Council report. This grant round was a quick response, staff-assessed round.
Applications were assessed considering the following criteria:
     Demonstrated need for funding
     Benefit to the community
     Engagement of local suppliers where applicable/possible
     Validity of claim
     Value for money
     The amount of funding available
54 applications were received seeking over $140,000 funding, demonstrating the significant needs
of community organisations as a result of COVID-19. The majority of claims were assessed as being
valid however, as there was insufficient available funding, staff allocated funding to those
organisations demonstrating significant financial hardship or providing essential community
services. Additionally, allocation was based on achieving a fair and equitable spread of funds where
alternative funding could not be sourced. Attachment 1 outlines the allocations of funding.
3.   Community Support
Many community organisations sought funding for cleaning and hygiene supplies to meet
Queensland Health’s COVID-19 guidelines for safe operation. Thanks to our local suppliers, the


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