Grants

Council provides a range of grants to assist community groups with undertaking programs or caring for the region’s facilities and places. Grants include: minor and major grants; community response grants; emergency grants; environment levy funding; recreation trails partnership program; regional arts development fund; individual development grants; councillor discretionary funding; festive funding program; community partnership funding; and sport field maintenance.

Major grants

Council values engaged, resilient and inclusive communities that embrace diversity. The Major Grants Program supports not-for-profit organisations to deliver one-off projects, events and activities with broad community benefit. Applications must align to a specific grant category as detailed in the guidelines.

Minor grants

Council values engaged, resilient and inclusive communities that embrace diversity. The Minor Grants Program supports not-for-profit organisations to deliver one-off projects, events and activities with broad community benefit. Applications must align to a specific grant category as detailed in the guidelines.

Cultural Heritage category priorities

For minor and major grants related to cultural heritage, priority is given to submissions that meet the cultural heritage outcomes - creative, innovative community projects that document, conserve, promote and make accessible the region’s heritage and social history.

Category priorities include:

• provide opportunities to identify, document and preserve the history of settlement on the Sunshine Coast.
• protect, preserve and celebrate the culture and heritage of Traditional Owners (Kabi Kabi and Jinibara people), and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• protect, preserve and celebrate the culture and heritage of Descendants of Australian South Sea Islanders.
• provide access to, interpret and protect the unique lifestyle, places and landscapes within the Sunshine Coast local government area.
• support contemporary heritage (post-1950s), including coastal heritage.
• tell stories relating to the regional contribution to the war effort, industry and innovation.
• encourage collaboration with other heritage organisations, to raise awareness and knowledge of regional cultural heritage.
• incorporate innovative practices to conserve, educate and promote regional heritage, including conservation of significant objects.
• have lasting community benefit.

Note: Applicants must discuss their project with a council Cultural Heritage Officer prior to submitting their application. Contact the Grants Team on (07) 5420 8616.

Cultural Heritage Levy grants

In additional to minor and major community grants that fall into the cultural heritage category. Heritage group and not-for-profit community museums are able to submit for a heritage levy grant for Collection Care, and Exhibitions and Events. Contact the Cultural Heritage Team on (07) 5420 8600.

Community partnership grants

This program provides up to three years of funding towards operational expenses to not-for-profit organisations. These organisations must provide facilities or services that support the delivery of council's corporate priorities and demonstrate broad community benefit.

Other funding opportunities

Sunshine Coast Funding Finder is a comprehensive search engine for local, state, federal and private grants. Users can register to receive alerts about funding programs relevant to them as they become available. This gives businesses and community groups an opportunity to be well prepared for funding applications.