Thriving Communities Program
NOW CLOSED TO APPLICATIONS
Key dates
Applications are now closed.
Project details
This program was part of the Thriving Regions Fund.
The Thriving Communities Program consists of small grants for projects that build social capital through facilitating:
- community group participation
- a sense of belonging
- equity of access.
Projects that meet the aims of the program may include:
- physical infrastructure – new and expanded
- plant and equipment
- events to enhance community wellbeing and engagement, including promotional expenses capped at 10% of the grant
- training such as first aid, mental health first aid, child safe, cultural awareness and inclusion.
The grants will support projects that can be completed within 12 months.
Hypothetical project examples
Hypothetical project examples
Here are some examples of projects that could be funded:
- upgrading a community garden to provide activities and benefits to people with disabilities and their families
- upgrading a local hall to allow for greater use by a broader range of groups
- creating an active learning space for use by schools and the community
- running innovative awareness programs to help educate young people and their regional communities about drugs and everyone’s role in minimising harm with drug use.
Amounts
You can apply for a grant amount of $20,000 up to $50,000.
Total funding available for all grants in 2022-2023 is $600,000.
Co-contributions and in-kind support
An applicant co-contribution is desirable but not essential. You are encouraged to leverage co-contributions from the Australian Government, or state and local government grants.
Managing project costs
You will need to pay for project costs and seek reimbursement for those costs. Therefore, you must demonstrate capacity to manage project costs until agreed key milestones are met. There is a possibility of milestone payments throughout the term of the grant to assist with cashflows if needed.
An upfront payment of up to 10% of the value of the grant will be considered upon request to help with cashflow.
Guidelines
Download the Thriving Communities Program Guidelines ().
Eligibility
To be eligible for this program you must:
- be a legal entity
- be the key driver of the project
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- be registered for GST.
Eligible entities include incorporated associations such as community and industry groups, or registered charities. Local government authorities may auspice an application on behalf of a community or industry group.
If you are not an eligible entity
If you are not legally required to be registered for GST then you may be eligible to apply for this grant, subject to meeting the other criteria. Find additional information on GST and not-for-profits from the Australian Tax Office. You may want to seek advice from your accountant for potential tax implications around this grant funding.
If your group is not incorporated, you can seek help from local government to auspice an application on behalf of your community or industry group. Auspice agreements mean that your group will carry out the project under the auspice of council or another eligible entity. They will receive the project funding and work with you to deliver the project.
If you do not have an ABN, you must submit an ATO statement by a supplier.
How we assess your application
When assessing, we will consider this information provided by you:
- final project designs and costs
- approval from the land or infrastructure owner to undertake the project at the nominated site(s)
- confirmed funding contributions from all sources, including formal documentation to verify those contributions with your application
- the project can commence within 6 months of approval and be completed within 12 months
- identified and prepared submissions for required regulatory or development approvals, or approvals have already been submitted or obtained
- appropriate stakeholder or community engagement has been undertaken where necessary and strong community support is demonstrated, including the extent of community participation arising from the project
- the capacity to manage costs of the project is demonstrated until key milestones are completed to the Ministers satisfaction and paid
- you have adequate insurance.
Activities and projects that will not be funded
Activities and projects that will not be funded
To provide the greatest value to South Australians, we will not fund these projects and activities:
- costs associated with the preparation of the application
- regular or ongoing events or activities normally funded through other sources
- operational expenditure, including wages and utilities
- retrospective funding, where projects have been completed or have commenced prior to the application being approved by the Minister
- purchase of land or a business
- projects that require ongoing recurrent State Government funding
- projects undertaken on behalf of third parties
- projects that have already received assistance from PIRSA or other relevant State Government grant funds to achieve the same project outcomes
- projects that are more appropriately funded through other funding sources, such as State or Australian Government programs (e.g. there may be funding programs already in place to support sporting facilities or tourism venture projects)
- alcoholic beverages
- activities where participants must pay an attendance fee.
How to apply
Applications are now closed.
Application outcomes
The Thriving Communities Program is non-competitive which means we will assess each application as it is submitted.
There is a chance that all the funding for this financial year could be allocated before 30 June 2023. If so, applications will close earlier than this date.