Throughout 2021/2022, the City of Ballarat's annual grants programs made payments totalling $1,438,064 to 63 organisations across Ballarat.
The three grants programs - which include the Strategic Partnerships Program, the Community Impact Program and the Tourism and Events Grant Program - awarded 56 grants and 14 multi-year programs throughout 2021/2022.
Strategic Partnerships Program
The Strategic Partnership Program is designed to fund initiatives relating to infrastructure and asset management, sports, events, business and commerce, and education and development.
Three new partnerships were developed throughout 2021/2022 and another finished. In addition to ongoing partnerships, this totalled 17 Strategic Partnerships in 2021/2022. The program distributed $1,081,041 to 16 organisations during this period.
An example of a successful Strategic Partnership from 2021/2022 is the 'Building Governance Capacity for Ballarat's Community Groups' project. The project - which is spearheaded by Ballarat East Neighbourhood House but involves all four Neighbourhood Houses in Ballarat - aims to support local community organisations to improve their governance.
The funding was used to support Neighbourhood House resources, support and training on topics including governance, grant writing, financial management, running effective meetings, managing volunteers and applying for incorporation.
Community Impact Grant Program
The Community Impact Grant program is designed to support not-for-profit community groups to deliver programs that benefit the community, with grants of up to $20,000 available.
There were four rounds of Community Impact Grants throughout 2021/22 in which 43 projects were funded across 38 community groups and organisations totalling $241,623.
An example of one of the Community Impact Grants was the funding of two new timpani drums for the Ballarat Memorial Concert Band. The new timpani will allow the beginner players to learn the instrument and more experienced players to advance their skills. Additionally, the timpani can be loaned to other groups that don't have their own.
Tourism Event Grants Program
The Tourism Events Grants Program aims to support and attract events that increase tourism, support Ballarat's liveability and contribute to building Ballarat's strengths and unique qualities. Projects could fall into three allotted categories including arts and cultural events, sporting events, and food and wine events.
Throughout 2021/22, a total of $115,400 was distributed to nine events, with arts and cultural events receiving the greatest proportion of allocated funding.
The recent Australian Girl Guides Jamboree, known as Kani-Karrung, was one of the nine recipients of the Tourism Events Grant. The event saw more than 1000 guides camp in Victoria Park for a week of fun activities in January.
Supporting the community
Cr Tracey Hargreaves said it was important for the City of Ballarat to support the city's many community organisations and events.
"The community organisations and community-run events in Ballarat do important work and make our city a great place to live," she said.
"I'm proud that the City of Ballarat continues to support these groups through the annual grants programs."
The annual grants programs each have a specific purpose and align with multiple goals of the Council Plan 2021-2025, including:
- Goal one: a healthy connected and inclusive community.
- Goal four: a city that conserves and enhances our natural and built assets.
- Goal five: a strong and innovative economy and city.
- Goal six: a council that provides leadership and advocates for its community
