Does your community organisation need support to make something great happen?

Rain is no match for Buderim Cricket Club now, thanks to a community grant from Sunshine Coast Council.

The club received $4230 for a water removal roller and pitch cover following a successful major grant application last year.

Council’s latest community grants program – major grants (all categories) and minor grants (community events category only) – is now open and will close on March 16.

Buderim Cricket Club president Chris Agapow encouraged other not-for-profit community groups to apply for a grant and said his club was reaping the benefits of the new equipment.

“It’s been really good in the last couple of weeks. When we have had rain it’s been the difference between getting on the pitch and waiting for it to dry naturally,” Mr Agapow said.

“The reality is that sporting clubs all have to run on the barest of margins. We are big on keeping fees as low as possible to get as many people involved as possible, so without council support we couldn’t operate long term.”

Community Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said the grants supported not-for-profit community groups with one-off projects, events and activities that benefited the Sunshine Coast community.

“Are you part of a community group that can make our Sunshine Coast community more active, vibrant, inclusive, creative or resilient? If so, do it with support from the grants program,” Cr McKay said.

“A great way to get started is by attending one of council’s free grant workshops which are being held across the region later this month.

“Community groups are vital to building stronger communities which is the objective of our Sunshine Coast Community Strategy 2019-2041.

“Council is grateful to the many volunteers who give up their time to make community events and activities happen.”

Grant applications must be submitted in one of seven categories:

  • community development
  • community events
  • community facilities
  • cultural development
  • cultural heritage
  • economic development, or
  • sports, recreation and healthy living.

Major grant applicants can apply for up to $30,000 in the community facilities category and up to $15,000 in all other categories (conditions apply).

Minor grant applicants can apply for up to $2000 in the community events category for projects that support local and regional community events, celebrations and commemorations.

Key dates:

  • round open: 3 February
  • round close: 16 March
  • notification anticipated: 21 May

Grant workshops:

DateLocation Time Book in today
Tuesday 18 FebruaryLandsborough School of Arts 11:30am-1pm Register here
Wednesday 19 February Kureelpa and Dulong Community Hall10:30am- 12 noon Register here
Thursday 20 FebruaryBuderim Men’s Shed 5:30-7pm Register here
Wednesday 26 FebruaryBaringa Community Centre 10:30am-12 noon Register here
Thursday 27 FebruaryCoolum Beach Civic Centre (Hall) 11:30am-1pm Register here

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