Community groups, organisations and clubs will have the opportunity to apply for a funding boost when the $4.042 million 2021-22 grantsprogram opens on Saturday 5 June.
The First Nations Cultural Heritage Grant will be available for the first time for projects that preserve, protect and renew Aboriginal cultural heritage.
This grant will have two rounds of $100,000 each in 2021-22, due to funding from the current budget carrying over.
Sole traders and arts businesses will now be eligible to apply for the Arts Projects grant, previously named Creative Communities – Arts Projects, allowing for a wider section of the creative community to apply for funding.
A funding allocation to restore historic properties back to their former glory will be expanded beyond Central Geelong to projects across the entire region.
Groups seeking funding support for large community infrastructure projects worth more than $3.5 million will no longer face a cap on total project costs for planning applications.
Visit www.geelongaustralia.com.au/grants on 5 June to find out what grants are available.
Council approved the 2021-22 Grant Guidelines, which outline the application and assessment process, eligibility criteria, decision-making process and requirements for successful applicants.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher said the 2021-22 grants program will provide a welcome morale lift during the pandemic.
With community groups, clubs and organisations still recovering from the ups and downs of COVID-19, these grants will make a big difference to their operations.
We're excited to have thrown open the eligibility criteria for creatives who've taken a big hit during the pandemic and those with heritage properties outside of Central Geelong, that need some attention.
Councillor Anthony Aitken, Chair, Finance portfolio said the Council is bringing forward a war chest of investment into the community with changes to the grants guidelines.
On the eve of Reconciliation Week, the $200,000 allocation for the First Nations Cultural Heritage Grant in 2021-22 is a sign of council's concrete action to support our First Nations People.
The Geelong region has thousands of years' worth of First Nations history that deserves to be recognised and celebrated.
If you're involved in a project that aims to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage, please consider applying for the First Nations Cultural Heritage grant.
We've listened to feedback that the current structure of the Arts Projects grant doesn't reflect the make-up of the arts community, so I'm excited we've opened up eligibility to the many sole traders and arts businesses in our region.
