About this Grant
Objectives
The Community Support Category aims to deliver outcomes in alignment with Brisbane Vision 2031, which plans for the future of the city.
Projects must deliver one or more of the following objectives:
- support Community Facility maintenance and improvement
- improve community organisation governance and long-term sustainability
- provide operational equipment for community organisations
- enable projects and activities that respond to community needs.
Round dates
Two rounds of this program are available each year, as outlined in the below table. Round opening, closing and notification dates will also be published on Council’s website and in the application form.
| Round | Opening Date | Closing Date | Notification of Outcome | Project Start Date |
| 1 | 5 September 2022 | 10 October 2022 | Early December 2022 | 19 December 2022 |
| 2 | 20 March 2023 | 24 April 2023 | Late-June 2023 | 3 July 2023 |
Eligible applications
Who can apply?
Applicants must be:
- an incorporated not-for-profit organisation; or
- be auspiced by an incorporated not-for-profit organisation that accepts legal and financial responsibility for the project or activity (Auspice Organisation).
If an applicant states in their application that they are being auspiced by an Auspice Organisation, a letter from the Auspice Organisation must be provided, signed by the chair, president or chief executive officer (or equivalent) of the organisation, agreeing to auspice the proposal.
The applicant must:
- demonstrate that the grant will be used for Community Benefit within the Brisbane Local Government Area
- have met all acquittal conditions of previous Council grants, have no debt to Council and be financially viable
- have public liability insurance cover to a minimum value of $20 million and have appropriate workplace health and safety policies in accordance with the Funding Agreement.
Ineligible applicants include:
- for-profit organisations
- individuals
- government departments and agencies
- schools and affiliated parents’ associations
- kindergartens and childcare organisations
- political groups
- tertiary education institutions
- church or religious groups, unless the proposed project or activity can be considered to be in addition to the group’s core business and be of benefit to the broader community as opposed to direct membership
- unincorporated organisations (unless auspiced by an Auspice Organisation).
Organisations can only make one application to the Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Community Support Category per round. Preference will be given to applicants who have not yet received a Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grant in either category (Community Support or Community Facility), within the current financial year. This does not apply where the organisation is acting as an auspice.
Ineligible applications
The following will NOT be funded.
- Projects that have already commenced or for which the applicant organisation already has expenditure under contract prior to the start date indicated in the round dates published on Council's website.
- Community events such as festivals, fetes and Christmas and New Year events. If seeking Council funding towards such activities, apply for either the Festivals and Cultural Events Sponsorships or the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund.
- Projects that are considered to be the core responsibility of other levels of government, e.g. Queensland Government departments such as the Department of Education or Queensland Health.
- Consumable items and materials unless they are part of the delivery of a project application (see Glossary for examples).
- Projects and programs that are core business, ongoing or repeat activities for community organisations, e.g. competition events and sports coaching programs. Eligible projects need to be new and different activities for the organisation.
- Primarily commercial or fundraising ventures.
- Event or conference sponsorship, prizes or award ceremonies.
- Projects that support or oppose a political organisation or involve political or lobbying activity.
- The purchase of alcohol.
- Projects that involve the purchase of motor vehicles.
- General operating expenses and materials such as electricity, insurance, lease or rental payments, telephone, uniforms, sports equipment etc. that are part of the organisation's ongoing expenses.
- Debt payment.
- The purchase of single use plastics.
What can be funded?
Community Facility maintenance and improvement
This includes:
- minor maintenance or improvement works on a Community Facility to be completed within 12 months of the Notification Date, e.g. roof repairs, plumbing repairs, painting and general building works
- planning and design work relating to a Community Facility, e.g. design, plans, investigations.
Applicants must have obtained all required approvals for the proposed works before submitting their application.
Projects that improve community organisation governance and long-term sustainability
This includes strategic and operational planning, education and training, management systems to improve finances and membership, or marketing and promotion plans.
The purchase of operational equipment for community organisations
Priority will be given to major items that support the organisation’s operations and are related to the maintenance and upkeep of the facility.
Council reserves the right to determine what constitutes equipment and general operating costs that should be carried out by the organisation on a regular basis or are a compliance requirement.
Projects and activities that respond to community needs
This includes projects and activities that:
- respond to local and citywide community issues
- increase participation in community sport, recreation and physical activity
- increase access and appreciation of Brisbane’s history and heritage
- contribute to community safety
- improve existing projects, services and activities to be more inclusive of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Funding available
Applicants can apply for grant funding up to $10,000 (GST exclusive). Applications may be part funded.
Financial arrangements
Payments
If applicants are successful in obtaining a grant, they must sign the Funding Agreement and return it to Council. This step must be completed before any funding will be provided by Council under these guidelines.
GST
If an organisation or Auspice Organisation (where applicable) is GST registered, 10% GST will be added to the grant as an itemised GST gross-up.
If an organisation or Auspice Organisation (where applicable) is not GST registered, 10% GST will be added to the grant but will not be itemised as GST.
For advice on GST, please contact a tax advisor or the Australian Taxation Office on
13 24 78 or via its website.
