Grants and Financial Assistance

Our free information sessions provide an overview of the application process and what we look for in successful applicants, as well as one-to-one coaching and support.

See below for our free upcoming information sessions:

Rockdale information session

Date: Monday, 19 February 
Time: 5pm – 8pm
Location: Rockdale Library, Level 3 Meeting Room, 444-446 Princes Highway, Rockdale

Hillsdale information session

Date: Thursday, 7 March
Time: 1pm – 4pm 
Location: Hillsdale Community Hall, 236 Bunnerong Road, Hillsdale

Online information session

Date: Thursday, 14 March
Time: 1pm – 4pm
Register: Zoom link

Register for the Rockdale or Hillsdale sessions by sending your name, contact details, and preferred session to grantsanddonations@bayside.nsw.gov.au.

Grant application writing is a busy but essential part of the work we do at Advance Diversity Services.

Our tight knit team were grateful that Baysides Community Grants and Donations team were available and ready to assist us through the process, helping us manage our application to give us the best opportunity for success.

A priority for Advance Diversity Services is to build and champion service and community inclusion for the diverse clients that live and use services in our local community. 'Be You with Us - You Belong, We all Belong' underpins our service philosophy. 
 
We regularly receive information about the Council's Community Grant Program. With this in mind, we saw an opportunity to apply for a small seeding grant to engage and support LGBTIQA older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 
 
We were successful and thanks to council funding we were able to implement the Artful Pride Project, which is a 10 week art program providing group art classes, opportunities to connect with others, and information about LGBTIQA support services.  

The project hosted a public exhibition of the artwork created by participants to promote the messages of LBTIQA inclusion at a community level. 

Thanh Nguyen, Business Development and Quality, Advance Diversity Services

You must register on SmartyGrants before applying for a Community Grant. Existing accounts can be used to submit your application.

Writing a work plan or timeline will help you achieve a successful project and is a great supporting document for your application.

We have developed resources to help you write a plan for your project that will help with the grant application:

• Sample project plan
• How to write a grant application

Donations and fee waivers are available year-round so applications can be submitted at any time using the following forms:

• Youth Representation form 
• Seniors Groups form 
• General Donation form
• Fee Waivers form 

Applications for donations are considered on their merit and assessed in accordance with Council’s Community Grants and Donation Policy.

An applicant must meet the following criteria to qualify for funding:

• Not-for-profit community organisations and unincorporated community groups (not-for-profit only, patronage or support required).
• Applications must demonstrate they service a significant proportion of the Bayside community
• Applications must align with Council’s Community Strategic Plan 2032
• Applicants must submit an acquittal for any previous grant funding before they can apply for another grant.

Community Grants applications submitted after the deadline are automatically excluded. We only consider applications that are submitted on time and with all required documentation.

Other exclusions that may apply are detailed in the Community Grants and Donation Policy.

Download the help guide for assistance or troubleshooting when applying for a grant through SmartyGrants. 

Technical issues that can’t be resolved through the guide should be directed to the SmartyGrants helpdesk on 03 9320 6888, or email service@smartygrants.com.au.

For questions about the donations and fee waivers process, call our Grant and Donations officer on 9366 3684, or email grantsanddonations@bayside.nsw.gov.au.

ClubGRANTS are an initiative of the NSW Government and Clubs NSW to provide funding for community projects and services that have a direct impact on local communities.

Charities, sporting organisations and not-for-profit community groups are among tens-of-thousands of worthy causes funded through the program each year.

ClubGRANTS are funded by a gaming machine tax rebate. Council does not financially contribute to the program but assists the local ClubGRANTS Committee by administering the application process.

Local non-profit community groups and organisations can apply for funding under the following Category 1 subcategories, specifically support projects for:

• Specific community welfare and social services 
• Community development projects, activities or events 
• Health services and employment assistance activities 
• Projects aimed at improving the living standards of low income and disadvantaged people 
• The ClubGRANTS Committee only funds Community Development projects that will benefit the local Bayside LGA residents.

Applications

2023 ClubGRANTS applications are now closed, but you can check this page regularly for updates on 2024 opening times. 

It's recommended you read the ClubGrants Guidelines before applying. 

Local Clubs participating in the Bayside Local Area Committee for ClubGRANTS are:

• Ramsgate, Bexley, Brighton, and Kingsgrove RSLs
• Georges River 16ft Sailing Club
• Rockdale Tennis Club, Earlwood - Bardwell Park RSL
• Rowers on Cooks River
• Graphic Arts Club.

Further information on ClubGRANTS is available on the ClubsNSW website.