Applications open for community grant funding

MEDIA RELEASE - Applications open for community grant funding

February 2016

Every year, the Shire of Manjimup sets aside a portion of rates income to put back into the community in the form of community grants.The grants are open to community groups and organisations under the three categories of events, community projects and youth, for the 2016/2017 financial year.

"In the 2015/2016 financial year, over $130,000 of cash support was granted by the Shire, for a number of projects and initiatives ranging from coaching clinics at the Warren Pony Club, to men's health at the Manji Men's Shed, to local events such as Pemberton Unearthed and Carols by Candlelight," said Shire President Wade DeCampo. Click here to view the list of grant recipients for 2015/2016.

"Council is unbiased the selection process and we certainly don't favour any particular grant category. In fact, the more diverse the application pool is, the further afield this program will reach," said Cr DeCampo, also noting that applicants are not required to be an incorporated body, which means funding is potentially accessible for one-off events or pop-up projects.

"The most important thing we want to see is that the project or initiative contributes to an improvement to the quality of life for our community members and/or brings people to the region to visit and to stay."

The annual grants process is the only opportunity that the community has to access Shire funds for the year. "I encourage you to submit an application because even if you don't qualify for a grant from the Shire, you may be eligible for another type of grant, and we will steer you in the right direction," said Cr DeCampo. "One thing we do ask is that people get their applications in on time so that this process can be as fair and equitable as possible - 31 March is the deadline so you've got a few weeks to go."

Application forms for the 2016/2017 community grants can be downloaded from the Shire's website via www.manjimup.wa.gov.au/communitygrants, collected from the Shire Administration Centre, or from the Manjimup, Pemberton, Northcliffe and Walpole Community Resource Centres and public libraries.

Applications close at 4pm on Thursday, 31 March 2016. For more information about community grants, contact Rachel Croft, Administration & Events Liaison Officer, on 9771 7701, email rachel.croft@manjimup.wa.gov.au or click here to visit the Community Grant Information page on the Shire's website.

-ENDS-

Authorised by Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer

Contact Gina Nieuwendyk, Coordinator Communication and Executive Support

Contact: 9771 7777

Contact for comment: Wade DeCampo, Shire President.

Contact: 0427 094 081