Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants Guidelines - Community Support Category

The Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants Community Support Category provides funding to support projects that respond to local community needs, improve community facilities and build organisational capacity.

1. Objectives 

The Community Support Category aims to deliver outcomes in alignment with Brisbane Vision 2031, which plans for the future of the city.

Projects must deliver one or more of the following objectives:

• support Community Facility maintenance and improvement
• improve community organisation governance and long-term sustainability
• provide operational equipment for community organisations
• enable projects and activities that respond to community needs.

2. Round dates

Grant round dates are outlined in the below table. Round closing dates and notification timeframes will also be documented in the application form.

3. Eligible applications

Who can apply?

Applicants must be:

• an incorporated not-for-profit organisation; or 
• be auspiced by an incorporated not-for-profit organisation that accepts legal and financial responsibility for the project or activity (Auspice Organisation).

If an applicant states in their application that they are being auspiced by an Auspice Organisation, a letter from the Auspice Organisation must be provided, signed by the chair, president or chief executive officer (or equivalent) of the organisation, agreeing to auspice the proposal.

The applicant must:

• demonstrate that the grant will be used for Community Benefit within the Brisbane Local Government Area
• have met all acquittal conditions of previous Council grants, have no debt to Council and be financially viable
• have public liability insurance cover to a minimum value of $20 million and have appropriate workplace health and safety policies in accordance with the Funding Agreement.

Ineligible applicants include:

• for-profit organisations
• individuals
• government departments and agencies
• schools and affiliated parents’ associations
• kindergartens and childcare organisations
• political groups
• tertiary education institutions
• church or religious groups, unless the proposed project or activity can be considered to be in addition to the group’s core business and be of benefit to the broader community as opposed to direct membership
• unincorporated organisations (unless auspiced by an Auspice Organisation).

Organisations can only make one application to the Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Community Support Category per round. Preference will be given to applicants who have not yet received a Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grant in either category (Community Support or Community Facility), within the current financial year. This does not apply where the organisation is acting as an auspice.

Ineligible applications

The following will NOT be funded.

• Projects that have already commenced or for which the applicant organisation already has expenditure under contract prior to the start date indicated in the round dates published on Council's website.
• Community events such as festivals, fetes and Christmas and New Year events. If seeking Council funding towards such activities, apply for either the Festivals and Cultural Events Sponsorships or the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund.
• Projects that are considered to be the core responsibility of other levels of government, e.g. Queensland Government departments such as the Department of Education or Queensland Health.
• Consumable items and materials unless they are part of the delivery of a project application (see Glossary for examples).
• Projects and programs that are core business, ongoing or repeat activities for community organisations, e.g. competition events and sports coaching programs. Eligible projects need to be new and different activities for the organisation.
• Primarily commercial or fundraising ventures.
• Event or conference sponsorship, prizes or award ceremonies.
• Projects that support or oppose a political organisation or involve political or lobbying activity.
• The purchase of alcohol.
• Projects that involve the purchase of motor vehicles.
• General operating expenses and materials such as electricity, insurance, lease or rental payments, telephone, uniforms, sports equipment etc. that are part of the organisation's ongoing expenses.
• Debt payment.
• The purchase of single use plastics.

4. What can be funded?

Community Facility maintenance and improvement

This includes:

• minor maintenance or improvement works on a Community Facility to be completed within 12 months of the Notification Date, e.g. roof repairs, plumbing repairs, painting and general building works
• planning and design work relating to a Community Facility, e.g. design, plans, investigations.

Applicants must have obtained all required approvals for the proposed works before submitting their application.

Projects that improve community organisation governance and long-term sustainability

This includes strategic and operational planning, education and training, management systems to improve finances and membership, or marketing and promotion plans.

The purchase of operational equipment for community organisations

Priority will be given to major items that support the organisation’s operations and are related to the maintenance and upkeep of the facility.

Council reserves the right to determine what constitutes equipment and general operating costs that should be carried out by the organisation on a regular basis or are a compliance requirement. 

Projects and activities that respond to community needs

This includes projects and activities that:

• respond to local and citywide community issues
• increase participation in community sport, recreation and physical activity
• increase access and appreciation of Brisbane’s history and heritage
• contribute to community safety 
• improve existing projects, services and activities to be more inclusive of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

5. Funding available

Applicants can apply for grant funding up to $10,000 (GST exclusive). Applications may be part funded.

6. Financial arrangements

Payments

If applicants are successful in obtaining a grant, they must sign the Funding Agreement and return it to Council. This step must be completed before any funding will be provided by Council under these guidelines.

GST

If an organisation or Auspice Organisation (where applicable) is GST registered, 10% GST will be added to the grant as an itemised GST gross-up.

If an organisation or Auspice Organisation (where applicable) is not GST registered, 10% GST will be added to the grant but will not be itemised as GST.

For advice on GST, please contact a tax advisor or the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) on 13 24 78 or via the ATO website.

7. Assessment process

Provided the eligibility criteria for making a grant application under these guidelines are satisfied, the project will be assessed against the following assessment criteria.

Following the initial assessment by Council officers, recommendations will be provided to the Comparative Assessment Committee for review before presentation to Council's delegate. Council’s delegate makes the final decision regarding funding allocation.

Eligible applications are considered on merit against the assessment criteria so not all eligible applications will be awarded funding.

8. Application process

How to apply

All applications are to be submitted via SmartyGrants. This online application system will allow applicants to save, develop and print out applications before they are submitted. Supporting material can be attached to the online application.

A budget table is required to support the application. This is a critical aspect of the submission. Before applying, it is highly recommended applicants review a budget table example to assist with developing a budget. Quotes are required for items to be supported by Council funding.

Once an application is submitted through SmartyGrants, applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of the application. The submitted application will be kept confidential and the contents will not be disclosed to any person outside the application and Assessment Process.

See the schedule of program dates for notification timeframes.

Assessment and outcomes

You will receive a letter advising whether your application was successful or unsuccessful within the timeframe indicated in the round dates table.

The list of successful applicants will be published on Council’s website.

Successful applicants

If an applicant is successful in obtaining a grant, they must sign the Funding Agreement and return it to Council. This step must be completed before any funding will be provided to the successful applicant by Council under these guidelines.

Applicants must: 

• ensure that the project continues to comply with these guidelines
• deliver the approved project in accordance with the contents of the submitted applications approved by Council for the provision of a grant
• comply with the terms and conditions in the Funding Agreement (including any applicable special conditions) 
• fully acquit the grant to Council in accordance with the terms and conditions in the Funding Agreement.

Unsuccessful applicants

Unsuccessful applicants can seek feedback on their application by contacting a Council Grants Officer.

Applicants may wish to consider submitting the application to another grants program.

Brisbane City Council now provides access to Funding Finder, a national database of
grant and funding opportunities for local businesses, community groups and not-for-profits.

This site provides a comprehensive list of grant and funding opportunities available to you. Register to receive emailed alerts for new grants, save your favourites and access tips to help you apply for grants.

9. Acquittal

The successful applicant must provide a completed Acquittal Form to Council within twelve months of the Notification Date. This document must detail the outcomes of the project and how the funds were spent. It must demonstrate that funding has been used for the purpose for which it was provided, include a report of financial transactions and provide evidence that the project achieved its intended objectives.

Successful applicants will receive a link to the Acquittal Form that will be attached to their application in SmartyGrants.

10. Enquiries

Further information is available by contacting Council and asking to speak with a Council Grants Officer.

If applicants have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact us through the National Relay Service (NRS):

• TTY users phone 133 677 and then ask for 07 3403 8888
• Speak and Listen users phone 1300 555 727 and then ask for 07 3403 8888
• internet relay users connect to the NRS and then ask for 07 3403 8888.

If applicants require this information in other languages, phone the Translating and Interpreter Service (TIS) on 131 450 and ask to be connected to Brisbane City Council on 07 3403 8888.

All enquiry services are free.