Council endorses new Community Projects and Events Funding program
04 August 2022
Ipswich City Council has endorsed a new Community Projects and Events Funding program.
Chairperson of the Community, Culture, Arts and Sport Committee Councillor Andrew Fechner said changes to the program were adopted at the July Ordinary Council Meeting and were made to make it easier for community groups to access funding for events and community projects.
“Through the Community Projects and Events Funding Program, council provides financial support to local community and sporting groups to deliver one-off projects, activities, sporting and community events that are of benefit to the local community,” Cr Fechner said.
“Community groups now can apply for financial support of up to $5,000 for events all year round, rather than waiting for specific funding rounds.
“One-off projects and activities can apply for funding of up to $15,000 in three funding rounds per year.’
Cr Fechner said applications will be assessed by council officers against the criteria outlined in the guidelines.
“To be eligible for this funding, applications must demonstrate that a project or event directly benefits residents within the Ipswich Local Government Area, helps meets council’s Safe, Inclusive and Creative, Active Ipswich goals, and delivers on at least one of council’s Community Development Pillars or Active Ipswich goals,” Cr Fechner said.
“In another change, groups receiving funding will also be asked to acknowledge council’s support at their event or in the media to help better inform how ratepayer monies are assisting the community.
Cr Fechner said a good example of the type of funding now available was council providing $15,000 to the not-for-profit Vedanta Centre to assist with the supply and installation of a cold room and refrigeration system at its Springfield Lakes venue.
The funding support and new kitchen will enable the organisation to expand its food assistance programs that help vulnerable community members, including:
- The soup kitchen, which prepares and distributes approximately 450 healthy vegetarian meals each month.
- The foodbank program which provides a weekly free grocery hamper to anyone in need.
- An emergency meals service, where Vedanta provided approximately 1000 meals to people who were isolating due to COVID.
“This project perfectly aligns with council’s community development pillar of ‘wellbeing’, where we strive to ensure community members have a sense of belonging and purpose and enjoy a good sense of health, wellbeing and happiness,” Cr Fechner said.
The program offered to the Vedanta Centre is now available to access.
Information about how to apply for the Community Projects Funding Program is available at: https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/services/funding-and-support
If you require additional assistance, please contact the Community Funding Team on (07) 3810 6648 or email communityfunding@ipswich.qld.gov.au