community grant applications

REDLAND City Council is calling for individuals, and community and not-for-profit organisations to lodge their community grant applications by March 26.

This is the closing date for the second round of the 2009/2010 offers through the council's Community Grants Program, which was adopted last year to make it easier for individuals and groups to access council funding.


Redland City Deputy Mayor Toni Bowler said that last November the council signed off more than $345,000 of community funding support during the first round of allocations under the new arrangements, and an additional $27,374 for five Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grants.


"Just over $270,000 of community funding will be available through this final round of allocations for 2009/2010, with an additional $72,000 for Regional Arts Development Fund grants."


The RADF grants program is a partnership program with Arts Queensland that supports professional emerging artists and arts practitioners in the Redlands. Previously, RADF grants were administered through the Redland Art Gallery but they have now been consolidated into the Community Grants Program to improve administrative efficiencies.


"Providing grants is a powerful way for us to build strong communities by funding projects, organisations and infrastructure that help the council achieve its strategic priorities in our community. The better our grants program, the better we can do that," Cr Bowler said.


Application kits for round two, and information on grant categories and eligibility criteria are available on the council's website at www.redland. qld.gov.au.


A separate application kit for Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grants is available at www.arts.qld.gov.


Cr Bowler urged individuals, and community and not-for-profit organisations wanting to secure council funding to start preparing their applications early.


"Council officers will run a number of free information sessions on application writing from February22 until March 11, at various locations throughout the Redlands. Make sure you book early to secure your spot as spaces will be limited," Cr Bowler said.


Information sessions on the writing of applications are being held at:


* Capalaba Place Hall, 14 Noeleen Street, Capalaba, February 23, 2 to 3.30pm.


* Russell Island Recreation Hall, 1 Alison Crescent, Russell Island, March 2, 5.30 to 7pm.


* Cleveland Library Meeting Room, Cnr Middle and Bloomfield Streets, Cleveland, March 4, 5.30 to 7pm.


* Redlands Indigi-Scapes Centre, 17 Runny-mede Road, Capalaba, March 9, 4 to 5.30pm.


* Cleveland Library Meeting Room, Cnr Middle and Bloomfield Streets, Cleveland, March 11, 5.30 to 7pm.


To book your place at an information session, for information on kits and for and application forms, call the Community Grants Team on 3829 8911.