Apply for a Grant

Prior to applying for a grant, we suggest you fully read the adopted Grants Policy below before beginning your application.

If you need assistance with this policy or your application please contact Council via - grants@thehills.nsw.gov.au

Eligibility

If you are unsure whether you qualify to make a grant application, the following tool will assist you by walking you through the requirements for each grant type. 

Disclaimer - The grants eligibility check tool is designed to assist you in determining if you or your organisation may be eligible to receive financial assistance from one of Council’s current programs. This tool is provided as advice only and is not a compulsory step in the application process. Links to the online application website are provided as part of this service, however these links are also available on this web page for your convenience.

Check my eligibility here

Apply for a grant

Please note that you can only apply for one of the following three grants per financial year. Applicants who have already received a grant in the same financial year, excluding auspice arrangements, are ineligible to apply for any further grants.

Annual Community Grants

Applications Open - 22 April 2024.

The Hills Shire Council’s 2024/25 Annual Community Grants is open. 

The Annual Community Grants Program provides funding between $2,501 and $25,000. 

The program is reserved for community groups. It is a competitive process and information sessions to assist applicants are held prior to the closing date.

The round is broadly focused on providing grants for community services in four main priority areas:

• Events, concerts, theatre, and arts programs designed to engage key community members that entertain the broader community.
• Domestic violence prevention and recovery.
• Mental health and suicide prevention.
• Disability, youth, seniors, and cultural projects that support community participation opportunities.

Subject to condition, dollar for dollar grants between $2,501 & $25,000 will be available to:

• Encourage community groups to develop projects, events or activities that encourage community participation, social inclusion, and community engagement.
• Enable delivery of creative, artistic, and cultural projects that enrich the community.
• Encourage community groups to develop and implement activities and projects that occur in the Hills LGA that address social needs.
• Build community partnerships to improve access to community services or skills for residents of the Hills Shire.
• Provide operational and/or equipment for local organisations and sporting groups to increase their community services beyond their current capability. 

Applicants are only eligible for one grant per financial year and all previous grants must be acquitted to be assessed.

Training Sessions:

• Training Session 1: Thursday 9 May 2024, 6pm - 8pm
• Training Session 2: Thursday 16 May 2024, 2pm - 4pm

Register for a Training Session here

Applications close on Monday 20 May 2024, 11:59pm.

Apply for an Annual Community Grant

Minor Community Grant

Council will consider one small grant application per financial year up to $250 for not-for-profit and incorporated organisations that are delivering community services, and organising small events or cultural activities for Hills Shire residents. (Minor grants do not require dollar-for-dollar match funding).

Council will also consider applications up to $250 for individuals for their participation in state, national or international sporting, artistic, educational and musical performances. (Minor grants do not require dollar-for-dollar match funding).

Not-for-profit and incorporated organisations who wish to request funding between $251 to $2,500 will be required to gain special approval from Council. A letter outlining this request must be emailed to grants@thehills.nsw.gov.au prior to submitting a Minor Grant application form.

Apply for a Minor Grant

Other Financial Assistance (OFA) - Closed

Individuals, not for profit community organisations and commercial/private organisations can apply under this category if they match funding (dollar-for-dollar) over $2,501.

Individuals, not for profit community organisations and commercial/private organisations must be based in the Hills Local Government Area (LGA).

The type of projects, events or activities that can be funded under this category, with dollar-for-dollar match funding and meets the eligibility criteria, are:

• Projects and programs for the Hills community
• Events for the benefit of the Hills community
• Declared natural disaster recovery activity
• Charity fundraising.

Completed applications will be assessed quarterly by a panel determined by the Mayor or General Manager, chaired by either the Mayor or delegate, minimum of three councillors and an external member such as the audit risk assessment committee, followed by a report to council for endorsement.

All grants under this section may be placed on public exhibition for 28 days following council endorsement.

OFA applications are currently closed and will reopen in July 2024.

NSW Government Grants Directory

Find a government initiative, grant or funding program to help support your business, your project or your community - Visit Grants and funding | NSW Government to filter available grants and funding opportunities.

Museums & Galleries of NSW

Provides assistance to small-medium museums, galleries and indigenous cultural centres. They have a number of grants available annually. Click here to find out more.

NSW Seniors Festival Grant Program

A grant program that provides $200,000 in funding for community programs and activities for older Australians to stay active, healthy and engaged during the annual NSW Seniors Festival. Find out more here.