Community Economic Development Grant Program – Australia

The program has been developed to help achieve the community’s vision for a ‘dynamic and diverse economy creating industry development and employment opportunities’.

Objectives and Outcomes

• The Community Economic Development Grant Program seeks to achieve the community’s vision for a “dynamic and diverse economy creating industry development and employment opportunities” by providing support for projects that aim to achieve one or more of the following:
  • Support the effective implementation of the Toowoomba Region Economic Development Strategy and the Community Growth Action Plans.
  • Encourage the establishment, growth and retention of sustainable businesses which enhance the region’s reputation for innovation, creativity, diversity and sustainability.
  • Foster new partnerships and collaboration between businesses and business support groups.
  • Create employment opportunities and increase the level of business investment in the region.

Funding Information

• Grants of up to $10,000 are available for any one project, but requests for smaller grants are encouraged.
• The maximum grant amount available for any one project is determined by the amount of matching cash the applicant can confirm will be contributed to the project.
• Grants for projects with a total cash cost of up to $5,000 do not require a cash contribution from the applicant.
• Grants for projects with a total cash cost of over $5,000 require a matching cash contribution from the applicant for grant amounts of between $5,000 and $10,000.

Eligible Projects

• It is mandatory that projects:
  • Help to achieve the objectives of the Toowoomba Region Economic Development Strategy and/or Community Growth Action Plans, and;
  • Deliver one or more of the following outcomes:
    • Connect local businesses
    • Encourage business innovation
    • Build business capacity and skills
    • Contribute to the ease of doing business
    • Enable partnerships and collaboration between businesses and/or organisations in the Toowoomba region
    • Address a local workforce gap
    • Assist towards planning, professional and application fees in preparing grant applications for larger projects
  • Funding for the continuation of existing projects will be considered, however preference will be given to new or unique projects that have not been delivered in the past.

Eligibility Criteria

• Organisations can apply for a Community Economic Development Grant if they:
  • are an eligible community organisation or is under the auspices of an eligible community organisation as defined in the Community Grants Policy.
  • operates or provides services within the Toowoomba Regional Council area.
  • have an Australian Business Number (ABN).

Ineligible

• The following, would not be eligible to apply:
  • Individuals.
  • For-profit companies, Trusts and other organisations.
  • Government, semi-government organisations and statutory authorities.
  • Public and private educational institutions (primary, secondary and tertiary including Parents & Citizens and Parents & Friends Associations).
  • Unions and student guilds.
  • Research foundations and professional associations.
  • An organisation that has been granted approval for support through a Toowoomba Regional Council funding program for the same project.
  • Recipients who have previously defaulted on the conditions of funding.
  • An organisation that has not acquitted an overdue TRC funded grant application.
• Community Economic Development Grants will also not fund:
  • Loan or other debt repayments.
  • Projects already started or completed.
  • Recurrent administration and running costs, such as:
  • Regular wages
  • Regular office expenses.
  • Projects with a commercial purpose.
  • Projects already funded by other Toowoomba Regional Council Grant programs.
  • Prize money, trophies, raffle prizes or fundraising.

For more information, visit Toowoomba Regional Council.