Community grants
Community Grants Program Grant support Other grant opportunities
Council provides a range of support and resources to community groups and organisations that help the Tweed community thrive.
Community Grants Programs 2025
Council’s Community Grants Program is provided to support not-for-profit organisations deliver a local activity, project or service that benefits the wider Tweed community.
This program provides financial assistance to local community groups and organisations for activities and projects that enrich the lives of our community by fostering connection, creativity, and care.
This funding aims to help create inclusive spaces, experiences and services that celebrate art, culture, heritage, and learning—fostering a stronger, more vibrant community where everyone belongs and thrives.
Apply for a community grant
Grant support
Who can apply
Incorporated organisations with an ABN.
Program outcomes
All applications must align with at least one of the following focus areas:
- Enhance Wellbeing and Safer Communities – initiatives, programs, or advocacy actions to enhance community wellbeing and community safety.
- Increase Social Connections - activities to address community need, advocate on issues of concern, and connect our community.
- Promote Inclusion – activities that promote inclusive activity and the visibility of all ability experiences within the community, that are accessible and where everyone feels included, welcomed, respected, and supported.
- Reduce Homelessness – activities that support those individuals and families who are or at risk of being homeless.
Assessment criteria
Each application will be assessed as follows:
Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations are eligible to submit one application for a grant ranging from $500 to $5,000.
Note: Funding for equipment is only eligible if it supports a new project, activity, or the expansion of an existing one that aligns with the grant outcomes. The replacement of existing equipment is considered part of core business and is not eligible.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their grant application in late September. Applications requesting funds for projects starting before October 2025 will not be eligible.
How to apply
1. Firstly, you will need to familiarise yourself with the Community Grants Guidelines(PDF, 522KB).
2. Access the online application form via our Smarty Grants page.
3. Complete all sections of the application form and submit it before the deadline – Sunday 29 June 2025 at midnight.
What you will need
In your application, you'll need to upload your organisation's latest Annual General Meeting (AGM) report. If your organisation doesn't produce an AGM report, alternative financial statements such as a Profit and Loss Statement or a Balance Sheet will be required.
Frequently asked questions
How do I submit my application?
You will find a Review and Submit button at the bottom of the Smarty Grants navigation panel. You must review your application before you can submit it.
Once you have reviewed your application and are happy with it, you can submit it by clicking on 'Submit' at the top or bottom of the screen or on the navigation panel. You will not be able to submit your application until all the compulsory questions are completed and there are no validation errors.
Once you have submitted your application, no further editing or uploading of support materials is possible.
When you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your submitted application attached. This will be sent to the email you used to register.
If you do not receive a confirmation of submission email, then you should presume that your submission has NOT been submitted.
Hint: also check the email hasn't landed in your spam or junk email folder.
Can I reapply each year with the same project?
The Community Grants Program aims to encourage new ideas and support various projects in the community. That's why it doesn't give money to the same projects indefinitely.
Organisations should think about how to get money from other sources for projects to ensure they are sustainable. Planning ahead for funding shows that a project can keep going even when things change, ensuring long term success.
What if my application is late, is there any flexibility?
No. The online system will not accept applications submitted after the advertised closing date.
If you have problems submitting your application, you should contact Council’s Customer Contact Centre on (02) 6670 2400 and ask for the Project Officer – Community Development.
Or you can email Council's Community Welbeing Team at communitywellbeing@tweed.nsw.gov.au and attention your email to the Project Officer – Community Development.
What if I have issues submitting my application?
If you have problems submitting your application, you should contact Council’s Customer Contact Centre on (02) 6670 2400 and ask for the Project Officer – Community Development.
Or you can email Council's Community Welbeing Team at communitywellbeing@tweed.nsw.gov.au and attention your email to the Project Officer – Community Development.
Do I have to complete my application in one go?
No. You can partially complete your application and then press 'save and close'.
When you log back in., click on the 'My Submissions' link at the top of the screen, you will find a list of any applications you have started or submitted. You can reopen your draft application and start where you left off.
Can I add supporting documents to my application?
Yes. You can attach other relevant documents if you wish, for example:
- letters of support from the community
- your organisation's annual report
- evidence of public liability insurance.
Who reviews my application?
Eligible applications are then assessed by a panel consisting of 2 Council staff members and 2 Councillors. This panel will make recommendations which will be forward to all Councillors and the General Manager for final questions and comments.
A report is then presented at the next Council meeting for adoption.
When will I know if my grant submission is successful?
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application late September. It is important to ensure you don’t apply for a grant for any project that starts prior to October 2025
Community Grant recipients
2024 Community Grant recipients
Organisation
|
Project
|
Funding
|
| Walking Football Federation Australia |
Promoting Walking Football/Soccer opportunities that encourage inclusion and provide an opportunity for social connectivity and improved wellbeing.
|
$2,000 |
| Together Pottsville |
To transform Pottsville into a plastic waste-free town by reducing single-use plastics in businesses and promoting reuse and recycling among residents.
|
$885 |
| Gold Coast Titans Community Benefit Fund Inc
|
Leagueability‘s Come and Try Day in Tweed Heads - held in collaboration with the Tweed Heads Seagulls Rugby League Club and Titans Together.
|
$5,000 |
| The Brain Injury Community
|
Bi-monthly Explore Tweed with The Brain Injury Community events that provide opportunity for people with brain injury to connect with others, build their social support networks, and access information and resources.
|
$4,875 |
| Cooloon Children’s Centre
|
A free teddy bears picnic event dedicated to child safety that aims to engage, educate, and empower the community to prevent child abuse and neglect.
|
$1,600 |
| Pottsville Community Preschool
|
Vital resources that will expand the preschool's accessible materials. |
$2,000 |
| Head Over Hooves
|
The Lend a Paw program which helps vulnerable people care for their pets during crisis such as homelessness.
|
$4,900 |
| University of the Third Age (U3A) Tweed Coast
|
Growing membership of the local U3A and promoting its benefits, such as the opportunity for continuous learning and building social connections to create active minds.
|
$1,735 |
| Tweed Heads Community Men's Shed
|
The All Aboard project supports local seniors through planned activities, encouraging participation and strengthening community bonds.
|
$4,500 |
| Mongrels Men Health and Wellbeing |
Mongrels Men Health and Wellbeing: Mental Health Response Ready is a project that addresses men’s mental health, healthy relationships, and aims to strengthen positive social support networks.
|
$5,000 |
| Tweed Valley Rural and Community Advancement Co-Operative
|
This placemaking project at Murwillumbah Community Garden will improve garden infrastructure to enable community to connect with nature, increase access and enhance social interaction and inclusivity.
|
$4,000 |
Grant support workshops
To help applicants strengthen their grant submisisons, the 2025 Community Grants Program includes a series of free capacity building workshops and drop-in support sessions.
These sessions will help participants develop project plans, understand grant requirements and build skills in applying for funding generally.
Please note: to attend a free workshop you must be affiliated with a local not for profit community organisation and be using the information to support their grant submission.
Book a workshop
Other grant opportunities
ClubGRANTS
ClubGrants is not affiliated with Council, although it offers local charities, non-profit groups and sporting organisations the opportunity to apply funding under the Tweed ClubGRANTS Scheme.
To find your local grant round and apply for a ClubGrant, visit the ClubGrants webpage.
The ClubGRANTS program is made possible through the support of Your local club and the NSW Government.
ClubGRANTS application process
What is ClubGRANTS?
ClubGRANTS is a state-wide initiative that encourages local clubs with gaming machine profits over $1 million to contribute towards the provision of front-line projects, programs and services that assist disadvantaged groups and residents in their local area.
The Tweed ClubGRANTS Scheme is administered on behalf of the following local clubs:
- Cabarita Beach Bowls Club
- Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club
- Murwillumbah Services Club
- Pottsville Beach Sports Club
- Seagulls Club
- South Tweed Sports Club
- Tweed Heads Bowls Club
- Twin Towns Group
Who can apply?
Local non-profit community groups and organisations can apply for funding under the following Category 1 sub-categories:
- Community welfare and social services
- Community development
- Community health services
- Employment assistance services
The ClubGRANTS application process
There is no restriction on the number of applications a group or organisation can submit. Applications are submitted online. Visit www.clubgrants.com.au or information on your local grants, how to apply and when to apply.
All applications are assessed by the Tweed ClubGRANTS Committee with recommendations for funding made to the Management Boards of the contributing clubs.
Applicants will need to demonstrate how their project, program or service will address the Local Area Priorities that have been identified by the Tweed Committee.
Applicants are encouraged to attach supporting documentation, including quotes, to their application.
Need help with your application?
If you would like to discuss your application proposal, or require clarification about the process, please contact your local Tweed Clubs Manager.
More about ClubGRANTS
Further information on ClubGRANTS is available by visiting the ClubGrants or ClubsNSW websites or by contacting your local Tweed Clubs Manager.
Grant Finder
Grant Finder allows you to search for available grant and funding opportunities across the Tweed.
These grants are suitable for businesses, community groups, not-for-profits, and individuals.
Access Grant Finder