Community Wellbeing and Resilience Grants up to $10,000

The applications for this grant is now closed. Visit the Wellbeing and Resilience Funded Grants page for more information.

Grants of up to $10,000 - Round 3 (Final Round) 

The Community Wellbeing and Resilience Grants are funded through the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care to support the mental health of those affected by the 2022 floods.

These grants allow communities to choose their own way to respond to the losses, anxiety and distress they have experienced, as well as actively participate in their recovery.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available. Grants up to $5,000 ex GST (excluding auspicing fee) will be assessed as they are received until allocated funding for this amount is exhausted. Applications between $5,000 (ex. GST) and $10,000 (ex. GST) will be assessed after closure of the grant round on Sunday, 27 August 2023. Please allow a minimum of six weeks from the grant closure date for Activity commencement.

What activities can be funded?

A range of activities and initiatives may be considered appropriate to support community-led wellbeing, including, but not limited to:

• social connection events that bring the community together to build networks and friendships such as community BBQs, exercise classes, playgroups, art therapy classes, etc
• community events or workshops that promote resilience and reduce stigma associated with mental illness and accessing mental health and suicide prevention services
• projects that are recovery focused and aim to build on the community resilience, healing, and capacity building (must have active involvement from the community)
• sharing information about available community resources and services and how to access them
• complementary and lifestyle interventions known to improve physical and mental health that can be delivered in a group setting, such as exercise and wellbeing classes
• community education on topics such as managing stress, anxiety, depression, and stigma
• practical advice and skills development, e.g. for parents to help provide support for their children

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

• evidence that the grant activity will address the mental health and wellbeing of flood affected communities in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow or Penrith Local Government Areas (LGAs). Priority may be given to flood impacted communities within the Hawkesbury and Penrith LGAs
• demonstration of need: how the flood impacted your community, and how the activity will benefit your community
• evidence that the planned activity is consistent with the grant program’s objectives
• the activity can be delivered within 6 months from contract execution
• the applicant has no outstanding reporting from previous grant rounds
• capacity of grant recipient to deliver the activity on time and within budget
• the activity is value for money
• the budget clearly breaks down the major elements of the planned expenditure
• the activity does not duplicate services and there is not an over-saturation of services in one community
• the activity is not an existing activity or if the activity is already existing the funding proposed will be used to enhance the activity beyond its usual scope.
• activities that incorporate professional mental health support (such as a psychologist, peer worker, social worker or individuals with mental health training) will be looked upon favourably