Grants for great projects
Published on 28 July 2022
Do you have a great idea for a project, festival or event that will benefit the local community? The City of Onkaparinga’s grants program is currently open for new submissions, and there are several funding opportunities on offer for individuals, community groups and businesses.
Council provides 13 grant programs under six categories, including support for projects under the banners of community, arts, environment and sustainability, heritage, business, and major festivals and events. Some grants remain open all year until the funds have been fully allocated, while other applications operate on a shorter timeframe and include a competitive assessment process.
The interactive ‘grant selector’ tool at onkaparingacity.com/Community-facilities-support/Grants will provide guidance about the best grant to suit your initiative. There, you’ll also find summaries about each of the grant categories, council’s grant policy, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Visit onkaparinga.grantguru.com.au to use the Onkaparinga Funding Finder, a free grant search tool to help you identify other local funding opportunities to support your organisation’s activities and events.
Morphett Vale resident Sarah Lowe recently received a $2000 grant through the Community Open Round which she’s using to upgrade the community pantry located in the front yard of her Selina Street home. The pantry is regularly stocked with necessities to help top up supplies for people in need, including non-perishable food, sanitary products, bathroom essentials, second hand children’s books, and information about local support services.
“I first had a garden chair out the front where I’d put excess food and other items. I started getting notes in my letterbox from people telling me how much it was helping them, which was encouraging. Soon, I had too much stuff to keep on the chair, so I bought a cupboard and made a plastic cover to keep the things sheltered from the rain,” Sarah says.
Sarah will use the grant to improve the pantry, including having a more solid cover made to better protect it from rain, wind and hot weather. The funding will assist Sarah in her daily efforts to place packs of sanitary products and personal care items in the pantry, which are supplemented by donations from members of the community.
“The community has been fantastic in their support of the pantry. I receive lots of great feedback.
“I have a couple of regular donors who say supporting the pantry helps them with their mental health by giving them a sense of purpose. I agree. The pantry is my way of doing something positive in the community to help people through hard times,” Sarah says.
Sarah says applying for the grant was easy.
“I thought I’d need help to write the grant application, but with the support of council staff I was able to manage it myself,” she says.
Council staff are available to provide information about the grants and help people through the application process. For assistance, telephone 8384 0666 or email grants@onkaparinga.sa.gov.au
Local businesses are invited to contact council’s Economic Growth and Investment team to discuss the range of business support services available through the ON Business Partner Program. For more information, email onbusiness@onkaparinga.sa.gov.au and visit onbusinesspartnerprogram.com
MORE INFORMATION
Visit onkaparingacity.com/grants to see the full list of grant opportunities.
facebook.com/selinastreetcommunitypantry