Cessnock City Council believes strongly in investment in community, demonstrated through participation in community, cultural and environmental activities, support of local business and preservation of heritage. Council aims to draw on these strengths and provide the support which will help them flourish and grow.
Council has a number of grants and a sponsorship program which provide funding across a range of activities encompassing community, cultural, environmental and economic. The funding and support provided through these programs supports a diverse range of services and projects that directly benefit the Local Government Area.
The provision of grants and sponsorships are also a mechanism for Council to further the aims identified in social, economic, environmental and cultural policies; applications are assessed against these policies and against broad Council objectives and plans.
Grants are defined as funds given to organisations to assist with the services or projects which they provide, where the Council only receives acknowledgement as the grant giver.
Sponsorships are defined as a business agreement with organisations, where the council receives benefits equal to the value of the sponsorship.
Given that Council receives a large number of requests from community organisations and individuals throughout the year for donations, a policy and procedure for the assessment of applications ensures:
The Community Facilities Dollar for Dollar Grant Scheme is aimed at assisting Community Facility Management Committees and associated facility user groups in developing Council’s general purpose community assets and their environs. The intention of the grant scheme is to assist in completing minor capital works and the purchase of equipment for Council’s community assets and to subsequently improve the utilisation of the facilities by user groups and the general public. The target facilities are Council community halls and buildings which cater for a broad range of users including, but not limited to, the management committees, playgroups, community support providers, indoor sporting and recreation, art and cultural activities.
The Sporting Facilities and Equipment Dollar for Dollar Grant Scheme targets local sporting and community groups whose projects aim to improve or refurbish Council owned sporting facilities as well as purchase of equipment, which has long term benefits to the club and Council.
Local community based organisations involved in arts and cultural activities within the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA) are invited to apply to Council’s Community Cultural Development $ for $ Grants Program. Applications may be for funding assistance for specific arts/cultural projects and/or facilities improvements.
Applications will be accepted from organisations based outside the Cessnock LGA for projects of benefit to residents of the Cessnock LGA, but those organisations should note that priority will be given to applications from organisations based within the Cessnock LGA.
Grants will be provided on a $ for $ basis, that is, up to a maximum of 50% of the cost of the project or improvements to facilities. All grant projects are to be completed by 31December 2012. Council will assess applications and allocate grants in line with the preset selection criteria.
Application forms and grant guidelines are also available from Council’s Customer Service Counter, 62 – 78 Vincent Street, Cessnock, from Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries.
Advertisements are placed in local newspapers calling for applications.
If you require further information about the Community Cultural Grants, please email Simon Eade on Simon.Eade@cessnock.nsw.gov.au, and Nathan Eveleigh for the Sporting Facilities & Equipment and the Community Facilities Grants on Nathan.Eveleigh@cessnock.nsw.gov.au.
