Grants

In the competitive environment of grant funding Wakefield Regional Council has an excellent record. We have successfully attracted State and Commonwealth funding for various initiatives including in recent times:

Community Housing (Balaklava)
Adelaide Plains Cup Festival
Marketing the Adelaide Plains
Samphire Coast - Tourism and Conservation
Community Builders
Special local road projects (eg. Brinkworth - Koolunga Road)
National Youth Week
Balaklava Parklands
Balaklava Urban development Plan
Port Wakefield UDP
Auslink - Bowman's Intermodel expansion project
Brinkworth Linear Park Stopover

In addition we have been able to assist community organisations in winning funds for a wide range of projects including:

Owen Swimming Pool - pool repair and repaint
Wakefield Regional Presenters Group - inclusion in the Shows on the Road program accessing high quality, professional touring performances for local audiences
Balaklava Town Hall redevelopment
Balaklava Swimming Pool - shelter and heating
Brinkworth Museum - photocopier
Blyth Stormwater Harvesting facility
Balaklava Sports Club - expanded clubrooms
Port Wakefield Courthouse - heritage conservation study

Wakefield Regional Council provides three funding programs:

Halls Maintenance Program - for maintenance or upgrade of community hall facilities within the Council district.
Sport & Recreation Maintenance Program - for maintenance or upgrade of community sport and recreation facilities within the Council district, particularly town oval/recreation reserves and associated facilities such as tennis/netball/basketball courts, clubrooms, grandstands, etc.
Swimming Pool Maintenance Program - provided to public swimming pools in Balaklava, Owen and Hamley Bridge.

Grant Assistance

For assistance or advice in relation to seeking grant funding please contact Council's Community Development Officer. If you would like to be placed on a register to receive ongoing notification of grant funding opportunities please provide your email address.

Grant Writing Tips

Grant writing is a very competitive process. Generally there is only a limited pool of funds available, and many other groups and individuals seeking funding. A successful grant application requires good communication - think preparation, planning, and presentation.

Some tips:

Read the guidelines carefully and follow them exactly. Be especially aware of word limits and timeframes.
Be aware of the funding organisation's priorities and target your application to these without altering your initial objectives.
Contact the relevant person in the grant organisation to discuss your project and ask any questions you may have.
Look for examples in previously funded projects. Talk to people who have previously received grants from the agency.
Make the application focused, clear, and accurate. Have another person read through to provide constructive criticism. Provide a neat, organised and attractive proposal package to create a good impression.
Include all relevant information. Seek supporting documents from your community and key stakeholders. Present documented evidence to support your case.
Show value for money and give an accurate and justified budget. Include contribution of other resources where possible, including in-kind support (which must be quantified).

Websites for more information

http://www.grantslink.gov.au/ - Commonwealth grants

http://www.grants.ord.sa.gov.au/ - SA Regional Funding & Grants Register

http://www.philanthropy.org.au/ - National organisation for private grant-making trusts and foundations

http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/ - Valuable source of information for community groups including funding sources, fundraising, insurance, etc.

http://www.grantproposal.com/ - Lots of information about grant writing.