Funding sources
Commonwealth | State | Local | Other grants| Grant writing assistance |Sponsorship
Funds are available for community-based monitoring groups through a range of organisations including grants from government agencies, and sponsorship by industry. The money is often provided to support community groups and organisations with environmental initiatives.
Grants
Local, State and Government agencies are a source of funds for community groups and schools for environmental projects. Many of these grants are issued once or twice a year, and have specific requirements for applications.
Commonwealth Government
- A list of grants available under various categories
- Community water grants
- Environment and heritage grants
EMS Pathways to Sustainable Agriculture Program
$3.9 million is available for projects which strengthen the capacity of regional bodies and industry groups to lead the implementation of management systems for producers; and increase on-ground update of EMS approaches. Funding is available for regional bodies and industry group programs. More information is available from the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry.
Envirofund
Community groups and individuals can apply for grants of up to $50,000 (GST inclusive) to carry out on-ground and other actions to target local problems. Funds available through the National Heritage Trust Environfund.
Queensland Government
Check what grants are available under various categories through the Queensland Government. Some of the grants listed include:
Gambling Community Benefit Fund
For projects which have high community benefit, this fund is for you. Applications close 30th December, March, June and December and further information is available from the Gambling Community Benefit Scheme.
Our Place, Our Future: resourcing rural capacity
This funding initiative aims to help rural and remote communities build and strengthen their capacity to shape their future. This includes enhancing community strengths, such as leadership, networks, organisations and infrastructure, and relationships within communities and with other areas. It will assist projects that develop the social, environmental and economic capacity of rural and remote communities and promote and revitalise rural and remote areas.
This initiative also includes funding for communities to identify and implement local cultural development activities that build social and economic capacity, and cultural development activities that build social and economic capacity. The funding will be offered regularly over the next three years.
There are three rounds of grants for 2007. Further in formation is available at through the Department of Communities or 1300 794 611.
Local Government
Check directly with your local government. Contact details for all Queensland Local councils are available from the Local Government Association (Qld) website.
Other grants
The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal Small Communities Grants
The Small Grants Program for Small Rural Australian communities offer about $300,000 a year in grants given to benefit people in rural and remote communities. Currently, applications that support the following areas of interest will be given preference: community hardship in drought effected areas; retention of young people in Rural and Regional Australia; resettlement of immigrants in rural Australia; and community infrastructure.
There are two rounds of small grants per year. For information visit the Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal website or email info@frrr.org.au or call 1800 170 020.
Breakwater Island Casino Community Benefit Fund
This fund provides assistance for facilities and services which are of obvious community benefit. It is restricted to the local authority areas of Hinchinbrook, Burdekin, Dalrymple, Whitsunday, Bowen,Mirani, Sarina, Nebo, Flinders, Richmond, McKinlay and Cloncurry Shires and the Cities of Thuringowa, Charters Towers, Mount Isa, Mackay and Townsville.
More information is available from the Breakwater Island Casino Community Benefit Fund website, by phone (07) 4721 1453 or email admin@biccbf.com.au.
Jupiters Casino Community Benefit Fund
A pool of $4 million is available from Jupiters Casino Community Benefit Fund. No set closing date. Further information is available from from the Benefit Fund website or phone 1800 336 958.
Australia Post Grants
Australia Post, in partnership with Landcare Australia, provides funds provides assistance for environmental awareness raising projects. More information on the Community Development Grant Program is available through the Landcare website.
WWF Threatened Species Network Grants
Applications are invited from community groups for funding of up to $50,000 for projects to conserve nationally threatened species and ecological communities. Guidelines and application forms will be available from the World Wildlife Fund for Nature website, or phone 1800 021 551 for more information.
Landcare Australia
Visit the Landcare Australia website for a list of other potential grants and funding available.
Grant writing and assistance
Once you've found an organisation providing grants, you then need to go through the process of writing a grant application or submission.
Information, tips and instructions on how to write successful submissions is readily available on the internet including:
Sponsorship
Local business, organisations and educational institutions are possible sources of resources to help your community group or school with your Waterwatch project. Examples of the type of support range from being given access to their expertise and advice, to being given excess or old equipment and other resources.
A useful fact sheet Waterwatch—Sponsorship Guidelines is available from the Waterwatch Australia website.
^topLast updated 26 February 2008
