Council has established two new grants packages to further support the community through COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Community Response Grants offer eligible local community organisations and charities access to emergency grants, while the one-off Creative Community Support Grants provide immediate support for artists, arts-workers and small arts organisations.

Mayor Michael Regan said the COVID-19 emergency had put many organisations and charities under pressure delivering important services to the vulnerable such as food and essential items, and Council was committed to supporting them.

“Their work is most important and this grant program is targeted at giving these agencies short-term financial support to continue to assist those who are most in need, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This program will help fund eligible community organisations and charities to continue to deliver, expand and introduce new programs, initiatives and services to the Northern Beaches community.”

Likewise, he said that the Creative Community Support Grants will provide immediate support for artists, arts-workers and small arts organisations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions

“This one-off grant for our creative community will sustain our creative sector through this challenging period and help keep the community engaged and inspired.

“A small subsidy can make a real difference to individual artists and small arts collectives,” Mayor Regan said.

Both grant programs are separate and yet complementary to Council’s annual Community Grants Program, which is also currently open for applications until the end of June.

COVID-19 Community Response Grants

This program intends to provide short-term assistance to community groups, alongside initiatives being provided by the state and federal government. Funding will be allocated to projects delivered over the next seven months on the Northern Beaches, with eligible organisations able to apply for up to two grants of $5,000 to $15,000.

Proposals must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Assist organisations helping vulnerable groups with basic needs (including food supplies, financial hardship, accommodation and social isolation etc.) where they have seen an increase in demand due to COVID-19
  • Expand current service delivery or establish new services to support community members impacted by COVID-19, particularly around increased levels of unemployment
  • Assist organisations experiencing volunteer gaps due to quarantines, loss of volunteers and social distancing
  • Projects that address increased homelessness issues, particularly rough sleepers
  • Projects that address increased social isolation
  • Projects that address the mental health impacts of COVID-19.

Applications are open with grants awarded on a quick turnaround basis up until 30 September 2020, with funding to be expended by 31 December 2020.

For more information and support, visit Council’s website, call 9970 1116 or email rapidgrants@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

Creative Community Support Grants

This quick turn-around grant program will fund eligible Northern Beaches artists and small arts organisations to adapt their creative practice to the new social-distancing guidelines, establish new creative networks and help the community reconnect and rebuild through arts and creativity. One off grants from $500 to $3000 are available.

Individual artists, sole traders, not-for-profit artist collectives, or small businesses with up to nine employees, based within the Northern Beaches Local Government Area, are eligible to apply.

Applications close on Sunday 31 May, 2020, with funding distributed by 30 June 2020.

For more information and support, visit Council’s website, call 99422560 or creative@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

Media Enquiries: media@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 9942 2678

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