Council grants to community organisations

Councils can provide grants directly to community organisations. This is an important way for local governments to support their local communities. Your council must have a community grants policy and make the policy available to the public. To receive a grant that is offered by your council, your organisation will apply to council and then be assessed by the responsible council officers.

If the council has allocated money for ‘councillor discretionary funds’, the councillors can also use their discretionary funds to allocate grants to community organisations. Community groups can approach councillors and request discretionary funding for a community purpose. Councils are required to put information on their website about any money allocated for discretionary funds and how community organisations can apply.