The Community Partnerships Program

The Community Partnerships Program is designed to support the volunteer efforts of community groups and contribute to community-led events, projects and activities that deliver social, economic, environmental and cultural benefits to the local community.

To be eligible to apply under this program the applicant must be a not for profit organisation such as an incorporated body.  Businesses, commercial entities, are not eligible to apply under this program.

The Community Partnership Program Policy and Procedure provides details about how requests for Council assistance are managed, including a complete list of the eligibility criteria and conditions of approval.

Submit online request here

Letters of Support/Reference Request

Supporting our community to apply for funding from grants is extremely important to us.

Council receives letter of support and reference requests on a regular basis from individuals, community groups, businesses, sporting clubs and not-for-profit organisations.

To assist Council with the prompt processing of your request we require a minimum of 10 business days’ notice for regular letters of support and up to 8 weeks for proposed projects on MSC land or upgrades to MSC facilities.

Submit online request here

Regional Arts Development Fund

The Mareeba Shire Council, Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) 2022-23 Community Grant Round is now closed. The next grant round will be advertised in early 2024.

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Mareeba Shire Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland. 

Individuals, groups, not for profit organisations and arts and cultural companies may apply for grants for arts, culture and heritage projects that build cultural capacity, cultural innovation and community wellbeing in the Mareeba Shire.    Projects in the priority areas of cultural tourism, public mural partnerships and youth arts engagement will be highly regarded.  Applicants may apply for a grant of up to $3,000 for community-based activities or $1,500 for professional development activities.

Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss their application prior to submission by contacting Senior Community Services Officer on 1300 308 461 or info@msc.qld.gov.au.

The Guidelines, Application Form and Outcome Report Template are available to download below.  

Alternatively, applications may be submitted using the online form below.

RADF 2022-23 Online Community Grant Application Form

Applications must be submitted by 5pm Tuesday 28 February 2023 for projects starting from 1 May 2023.

Councillor Discretionary Fund

Other Grants

In support of the Mareeba Shire community, Council monitors grant funding made available by other organisations.

The Community Grant Alerts below provide key details about a selection of current grant opportunities.

If you would like to be on the mailing list to receive Community Grant Alerts, please email info@msc.qld.gov.au or contact 1300 308 461.

2023 Connected Communities Grant Program

Telstra has announced the Connected Communities Grant Program to support Australia’s remote, rural, and regional communities.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available to not-for-profits to help them build resilient, sustainable, and liveable communities.

The program has three themes:

Resilient communities that are well prepared and socially connected, with the ability to renew and recover together when disaster strikes.

Sustainable communities that are diverse and inclusive, through planning for the health, wellbeing and prosperity of their people and planet.

Liveable communities that have digital capability, helping to equip people with the skills to live, learn and work in a digital society.

Funds will be available for new or existing not-for-profit programs to help them scale their impact to help more Australians in rural and regional areas become better connected.

Applications for the 2023 Telstra Connected Communities grant round will open on Wednesday, 1 March 2023  and will close on Thursday, 30 March 2023 at 5pm.

This first round will see $200,000 made available for applications of up to $10,000 each.

Successful grants will be announced in June 2023 and successful applicants will have 12 months to complete funded projects.

Learn more about the 2023 Connected Communities grant round here.

Stronger Communities Programme – Round 8

The Stronger Communities Programme supports the Australian Government’s commitment to deliver social benefits in communities across Australia.

Round 8 of the program will provide $22.7 million to fund small capital projects for community organisations and local government, in each of the 151 Federal electorates.

The program is part of the government’s 2022–23 budget initiatives focused on making local economies stronger and boosting community organisations.

The program intends to encourage and support participation in local projects, improve local community participation and contribute to vibrant and viable communities.

Round 8 of the program aims to support communities recover from the widespread impacts of adverse weather events and current economic pressures.

For this round, grant funding will be up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs except for local governing bodies where grant funding will be up to 50% of eligible project costs.

Up to $20,000 of funding is available per project.

Community consultation is a critical element of the program. In consultation with their community, each MP must identify potential applicants and projects in their electorate and invite them to apply for a grant.

Invited applications will be assessed against the program’s eligibility criteria through a closed non-competitive process.

Each electorate has total funding of up to $150,000 that can be allocated to successful applications.

A maximum of 20 projects will be funded in each electorate.

Applications close: 26 April 2023

Further information can be found here: www.business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/stronger-communities-programme-round-8

Strengthening Rural Communities (Small & Vital) – Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal

The SRC Small and Vital grants stream gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities.  Grants of up to $10,000 are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities that strengthen local people, places and climate solutions with a preference for smaller communities (populations under 15,000).

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly.  Round 16 is now open and applications must be submitted by 1 March 2023.

More information can be found here: Strengthening Rural Communities — Small & Vital | FRRR

Gambling Community Benefit Fund – Queensland Government

The Gambling Community Benefit Fund helps groups to provide services, leisure activities and opportunities for Queensland communities.  Organisations can apply for funds towards items and facilities damaged by natural disaster, equipment or facility improvements, vehicles and large equipment, community events and training, publications and marketing.

In 2023, the GCBF Program has 4 funding rounds available:

  1. $100,000 super grant round for all priorities – closes 28 February
  2. $35,000 standard grant round – closes 31 May
  3. $53,000 standard grant round – closes 31 August
  4. $35,000 standard grant round – closes 31 October

More information can be found here: Gambling Community Benefit Fund | Department of Justice and Attorney-General

Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups – Australia Council for the Arts

This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities. Grants are available from $10,000 to $50,000 for activities commencing after 1 June 2023 and lasting up to 2 years.

Applications must be submitted by 7 March 2023.

More information can be found here: Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups – Australia Council for the Arts

Minor Infrastructure Program – Queensland Government

Eligible not-for-profit community groups can apply for Minor Infrastructure Program funding for infrastructure projects that enhance community sport and active recreation participation opportunities through provision of spaces that enable quality, accessible, inclusive, safe and more efficient activity. Grants of between $50,000 and $250,000 are available for new and upgraded infrastructure or end of life replacement.  Applicants must make a 20% co-contribution to total project costs.

Applications must be submitted by 2 March 2023

More information can be found here: Minor Infrastructure Program | Recreation, sport and arts | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

Active Clubs (Round 3) – Queensland Government

The Active Clubs program will provide funding to local and regional sport and active recreation organisations to support: training and education for volunteers, volunteer recognition, equipment and opportunities for participation.  Grants of up to $2,5000 are available to provide responsive assistance to clubs and organisations.

Applications must be submitted by 1 March 2023.

More information can be found here: Active Clubs | Recreation, sport and arts | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)