Wollongong City Council media release: 7 February 2024
Looking to turn your great community idea into reality? Wollongong City Council is offering funding to support small projects in our community.
Each year, Council rolls out a number of grants and donations that support individuals and community groups to bring their project to life. That includes community and cultural events, Culture Mix Festival ideas, funding for bands and choirs, NAIDOC Week events, and local heritage and conservation projects.
From Thursday 1 February 2024, people can start applying for Council grants to fund their great community idea.
“One of the best things about living in Wollongong is our strong sense of community. We want to support people to complete projects and hold events that enliven our city and make Wollongong a great place to live, work and play,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.
“We have a number of different grant options available to cater to people’s different interests and passions. I imagine there are a number of residents who are sitting on a good idea but are not sure how to fund it. I highly encourage everyone to check out the full list of open grants and consider applying today.”
Grants now open
Bands and Choirs
This program supports not-for-profit bands and choirs that are based in Wollongong and perform locally at public events.
Available funding: up to $15,000, depending on event category.
Community Events
Each year, we support events like community celebrations, cultural gatherings and state or national sporting events. These grants are for individuals or not-for-profit groups who are running an event that’s open to the community.
Available funding:
- City-wide events up to $15,000 + GST
- Local general community events up to $5,000 + GST
- Sporting events of state or national significance up to $5,000 + GST.
Culture Mix Community Grants
Culture Mix is Wollongong’s new contemporary multicultural festival, and it's back on Saturday 19 October 2024 in Wollongong CBD!
Read more in our media release: ‘Culture Mix returns 2024’.
We are inviting Wollongong-based multicultural organisations, groups, and communities to apply for one-off funding to develop new and innovative content for Culture Mix 2024.
Available funding: up to $2000.
Small Cultural Grants
We want to support cultural projects that enliven our communities and encourage people to get involved.
These grants are for activities like music, performing arts, visual arts and craft, and other cultural projects.
Available funding: Up to $4,000.
NAIDOC Week Grants
We provide small grants for not-for-profit groups holding community events here in Wollongong during NAIDOC Week.
Available funding: Up to $1,500.
Heritage Grants
We want to encourage conservation projects in heritage places to add to the history of our city. If you own a property that has local heritage listing, you can apply for support from the Wollongong Heritage Fund.
Available funding: Funding is available on a dollar-for-dollar-spent basis and Council will consider funding up to 50% of the total project cost, to a maximum of $10,000 (excluding GST).
Minor Donations – open all year
Our Minor Donations program provides small contributions to people, groups and organisations from the City of Wollongong who enrich or positively represent our city. That includes athletes representing our city in a recognised national or international event as a non-professional, for people or groups who provide a valuable service to the community or for not-for profit organisations.
Available funding: Between $250-$750, depending on need.
Other grants – not funded by Council
ClubGRANTS
ClubGRANTS is a community funding scheme that ensures larger registered clubs in NSW contribute to services in their local communities and provide support to community groups.
In the Wollongong local Government Area (LGA), ClubGRANTS are available to support a range of services and projects aimed at improving the living standards of low income and disadvantaged people.