The City of Onkaparinga wants your feedback for a review of its grant program, which is being relaunched in 2025–26.
In 2023–24, more than 250 community groups, businesses and individuals received funding for their initiatives through the council’s grants program, which had a focus on community, arts, environment, heritage, events and business.
The council decided to temporarily pause the program for 2024–25 as part of efforts to improve the council’s financial position, but this has also allowed the council to significantly review the program and align it with the newly launched Community Vision 2034.
The Community Vision 2034 reflects shared aspirations for the future of Onkaparinga and includes four themes – Community, Environment, Liveability and Leadership. These are supported by eight key result areas, and 32 goals to guide collective action over the next 10 years.
This Vision is about collaboration. The council is committed to supporting the many community groups, businesses and individuals who contribute to making the community. Together, we can create a ‘connected community; sustainable future’.
The purpose of the Onkaparinga Grants program is to unlock the capacity of Onkaparinga's residents and businesses for the future.
The grants review is open to new approaches that demonstrate measurable impacts for the community. With the finite funds in the grants pool, the council wants to ensure the greatest impact is delivered to the community for the grants provided.
There are passionate community groups, individuals and businesses who are committed to bringing positive change for our city and the people who live here. The council wants your feedback to shape a grants program to unlock this energy and ideas.
The grants program is a catalyst for enriching community capacity and fostering collaboration.
In line with the Community Vision, the new grants program will support initiatives that demonstrate partnership with other community groups or stakeholders, emphasise collective impact and are driven by community leadership.
You can have your say at the council's Your Say page by Sunday 20 October. Your feedback will be collated and shared with elected members at a workshop in November, with direction from the elected members to help shape the new Onkaparinga Grants program for 2025–26.