Changes to the Community Funds Allocation

Community groups and not-for-profit organisations are invited to apply for funding under the 2023-2024 Shire of Manjimup Community Grant Program. Funding is available over four categories to support the activities of community groups; general projects incl. arts (acquisitive) prizes, financial hardship, events and youth.

"Council acknowledges that community groups are suffering hardship through increasing costs across the groups’ areas of operation" explained Shire President Paul Omodei.

These hardships include but are not limited to: electricity, water, insurance, building maintenance, annual pest inspections, and administrative burden with increased legislation and compliance.

"Typically, the majority of groups have limited ability to raise additional income to cover costs that do not add value to the experience of members. This added burden, if not arrested, could potentially have disastrous consequences to many groups’ longevity. To reflect this, the Community Funds Policy has been reviewed and amended to include a Financial Hardship category" he added.

The amended policy also provides greater clarity on some matters across the other grant categories.

At the Council meeting of 9 February 2023 Council endorsed the new policy and moved to increase the community funds by 0.5% to a total of 2.5% of the previous year’s rates. Futhermore, Council will allocate 0.75% ($75,507 in the current financial year) of the funds to a category to assist community groups with financial hardship.

Community groups seeking to apply for the Shire’s Arts Acquisitive Prize (up to $5,000) for an event/exhibition to be held in 2023-2024, can apply for this prize through the community funds.

The 2023-2024 Community Grant Program opens on 22 February, with applications closing at 5pm, 19 April 2023. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in July/August 2023 upon the adoption of the Shire’s Annual Budget. Application forms are available from the Shire of Manjimup Administration Building, Community Resource Centres, Public Libraries and the Shire website.

-ENDS-

Authorised by Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer
Contact Sheri Laba, Public Relations Officer

Contact for comment: Paul Omodei, Shire President
Contact: 0448 810 773