Community groups across the region are set to receive a welcome financial boost, with more than $590,000 in grants endorsed by Sunshine Coast Council.
Community Portfolio councilor Jenny McKay said council was committed to acknowledging the important work of our volunteers and was proud to announce that 103 community projects would be supported through the latest Community Grants Program major round.
One community group set to benefit is the Sunshine Coast NAIDOC Committee. They have been awarded $7,500, in the Community Events category, towards the Sunshine Coast NAIDOC Family Fun Day at Black Swan Park, Cotton Tree on July 13.
Sunshine Coast NAIDOC Committee Secretary Sharon Sticklen said the event was the only one of its kind on the Sunshine Coast and a key component of annual NAIDOC Week celebrations within our region.
"NAIDOC Family Fun Day provides a platform for the local First Nations community to showcase arts and culture and raise awareness about current affairs. The theme of this year's event is 'Voice, Treaty, Truth – let's work together for a shared future,'" she said.
Cr Jenny McKay said during the 2017/18 financial year, council provided a total of $4.6 million in grants to the community through its various funding programs.
"Here on the Sunshine Coast we are fortunate to have so many active community groups delivering a vast array of benefits to our community through social, cultural, economic, sporting, and health and wellbeing programs," Cr McKay said.
"The successful funding recipients are certainly making a difference and contributing to our thriving community.
"In this round of grant funding, we have seen a lot of important community projects, including youth programs, creative and cultural events, and facility upgrades."
Council's Major Community Grants support local communities across seven categories. This round of funding includes:
- $108,225 for Community Development
- $97,842 for Community Events
- $218,708 for Community Facilities
- $56,500 for Cultural Development
- $17,464 for Cultural Heritage
- $14,950 for Economic Development
- $79,397 for Sport, Recreation and Healthy Living.
Applications for the next round of major grants in council's Community Grants Program will open on July 15 and close August 26. Council will host grant writing information sessions to coincide with round open.
