The City of Greater Bendigo is reviewing its Community Grants Policy and Program and is calling for members of the community to complete a survey, attend a workshop or provide a written submission on the program by Friday May 7, 2021.
City of Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Director Vicky Mason said the current Community Grants Policy and Program has been in place since 2018 and it is important to undertake regular reviews to see if it continues to meet community needs.
"The City's Community Grants are greatly valued by the many groups, clubs and organisations who apply for funding through the program to undertake a range of important community projects.
"Between 2018 and the end of 2020, the City processed 564 successful grant applications, totalling $2.2million. Over $188,000 was granted to community organisations to assist with supporting service delivery during the worst times of the pandemic in 2020.
"The Community Grants Program provides an opportunity for incorporated not-for-profit groups and registered businesses to develop projects that complement areas identified as priorities in the City's Community Plan 2017-2021 and that align with the City's vision of 'creating the world's most liveable community'.
"The City currently offers a suite of grant categories including Small, Medium, Large, Community Group Essentials grants, Great Ideas Grant and the Bendigo Town Hall community use subsidy program. Since April 2020 the City has also had two temporary categories of grants to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 Essentials Grants (April to June 2020) and the Community Group Reactivation Grants (November 2020 until June 2021).
"The review will examine all aspects of the policy and program, including principles, eligibility, criteria, assessment processes, grants categories, grant amounts, user experience and improvements.
"The City encourages all interested residents to participate in this process, especially past grant applicants and recipients.
