Community Grants Program

Applications for our 2026 Community Grants program have now closed.

The City of Canada Bay's annual Community Grants Program provides financial support for not-for-profit organisations, groups and in some instances schools to undertake events, community and environmental projects across the following categories:  

Before applying for funding, you must read the City of Canada Bay Community Grants Guidelines 2026, which will be available soon. Find out more about each category below.

Which option suits you best?

Find out more about the programs available.

How to apply

Applicants must use SmartyGrants to submit an application for City of Canada Bay's Community Grants Program.

SmartyGrants Help for Applicants

Timeline

Timeline item 1 - active

Applications Open

Friday, 5 December
Timeline item 2 - complete

Information Session

Tuesday, 10 February 2026 from 4–7pm at Concord Library.
Timeline item 3 - complete

Applications Close

Monday, 23 February 2026
Timeline item 4 - active

Outcomes

You will be notified of the outcome of your application in writing by May 2026

2026 Guidelines

Community Grants Guidelines 2026
PDF (7.79 MB)

Want more information?

Email: grants@canadabay.nsw.gov.au

Call: 9911 6555

Grant writing resources and help

Public liability insurance certificate
Recent Canada Bay aquittal form (if applicable)
Organistion details: ABN, Incorporation Number or Australian Company Number.
Organisations Bank Account details: Account Name, BSB, Account Number
Auspice Organisation Support (if applicable): Signed letter from the auspice organisation
Auspice Organisation details (if applicable): ABN, Incorporation Number or Australian Company Number
Quotes for items over $1,000.
Venue/Facility booking request (if applicable)

If you're thinking about applying for a Council grant, read the below before you get started on your application.

1. Prepare

Read the grant guidelines to ensure your project and organisation is eligible.
Register your organisation to access SmartyGrants (if not already registered). A helpful guide for applicants is available through SmartyGrants.
Start on your project application early in the application period.
Have a clear idea of your project. This includes what activities you will be running, when and where, who will be organising the activities and why you are running these activities.
Read the grant assessment selection criteria thoroughly. Consider how your project will address the criteria and how you will support this with some form of evidence.
Understand the implications if you are successful – are you ready to deliver the project? Can you meet the timeframes and the monitoring or acquittal requirements?
If your grant application requires Public Liability Insurance (PLI), you can apply for once-off insurance through Local Community Insurance Services. A successful grant applicant should hold insurance that provides coverage for the entire event.
Contact Council to ask for clarity on the grant program if you need it.

2. Write

Collect all supporting documentation before you start writing, for example quotes, budgets, insurance documents, letters of support.
Clearly and succinctly describe the project and the problem you are trying to address and the intended outcomes.
Explain how the project aligns with the objectives of the grant.
Ensure you answer the questions. Re-read the questions and make sure you fully understand what is being asked.
Use data, statistics and evidence of past experience in delivering projects to support your application.
Write in clear English, avoid acronyms and jargon, and be specific about your project, identified needs and desired outcomes. Do not use generalisations.
Ensure spelling and grammar are correct, and the application is within the word count.
Ensure budget figures add up, check that all budget items are eligible under the grant criteria.
Identify the community groups that will benefit from your project.

3. Check

Show your application to someone who has never seen the project or heard you talk about it. After reading it – ask them to explain it to you. Did they understand your project?
Refine your application and repeat this step until the other person can clearly and easily describe the project back to you.

4. Submit

Submit before or on time as late applications are not accepted.
Submit all supporting documentation and evidence.
Keep a copy of your application and notification that your application has been received and any identification code for future reference.

A not-for-profit organisation is one that does not operate for profit, personal gain, or the benefit of particular people, including its members, the people who run the organisation, or their friends or relatives.

An incorporated organisation has a legal structure which is set up under law. Generally, incorporated organisations have a minimum number of members and are managed by a committee that meets at least annually. They are a legal entity that has set rules for operation listed in a constitution.

NSW Fair Trading registers incorporated organisations in NSW. You can search the NSW Incorporated Organisation Register on the NSW Fair Trading Website.

Or an organisation can be registered as a charity with The Australian Charities and Non-for-Profits Commission (ACNC). You can search for a charity organisation through the ACNC website.

Auspicing is where an incorporated organisation assists a smaller organisation or individual who is not eligible for funding on their own to obtain grant funding.

The auspice organisation is responsible for managing the grant funding and reporting on the expenditure of the grant funding (acquittal). Your organisation will remain responsible for delivering the project or activity.

To apply for a grant via an auspice organisation, you will need a letter stating that the organisation agrees to act as an auspice for the grant funded project. You will need to provide details from the auspice organisation such as contact details, their incorporation number and their ABN.

The Funding Centre's Answers Bank is designed to help you frame your thinking when presented with questions on a grant application form that you are not sure how to answer. Answers should be adapted to your own organisation and project.

Collaborate Canada Bay

Community Grants

Which option suits you best?

Community Project Grants

Event Grants

Environmental Grants

How to apply

Contact

Locations

Civic Centre

Postal address

Email

Website

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