Apply NOW! Goondiwindi Regional Council releases two one-off grants for local community groups and signature events

• Two grant opportunities are now available to showcase and entice locals and visitors to the Goondiwindi Region
• The Connected Communities funding is a one-off grant of up to $2,000 for local community events and workshops
• The Goondiwindi Region Destination Events Program will assist the growth of local signature events with funding of up to $10,000

Goondiwindi Regional Council is pleased to announce two grant opportunities, available NOW, for not-for-profit organisations and community groups.

The 'Connected Communities' program is a one-off grant of up to $2,000 for local community events and workshops that promote connection and positivity across the community.

Eligible events could include workshops providing mental health and wellbeing support, upskilling opportunities around mental health awareness, projects that drive social and community outcomes for the region, or simply events with opportunities for community gathering and connection. The Connected Communities funding  can go towards operational expenses (such as printing, lighting, staging, etc), marketing costs, catering, and entertainment, as well as the hire of temporary infrastructure.

Recurring, annual events will be eligible for the Connected Communities funding as well as one-off events and mental well-being projects.

The program follows the success of the Council's Mental Health Support Grant that ran last year. Successful applicants from the previous program included a community fun day, local men's breakfasts, tennis club tournaments, P&F events, community Christmas parties, free community swim days, sports club breakfasts and anniversary celebrations - and much more.

The Connected Communities program is supported by the Queensland Government’s Tackling Regional Adversity Through Connected Communities (TRACC) grant initiative. TRACC aims to assist Queensland communities impacted by drought, fire, and other emergent crises.

The Goondiwindi Region Destination Events Program (GRDEP) invites small businesses or not-for-profit groups to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to grow their event and entice visitors to the region.

This grant opportunity directly supports local signature events by assisting organisations in expanding their media presence, encouraging short-stay visitation from outside the region and supporting the potential for growth within the Region.

Organisations who wish to apply must demonstrate that the allocated funding will enhance tourism outcomes through media and marketing to raise the event's profile and have plans for the future growth of the event.

The funds can be used for marketing costs to increase awareness and visitation from outside the region, development of strategic plans to address long-term development of the grant as well as for temporary hire of infrastructure to improve the visitor experience, and much more.

Mayor of the Goondiwindi Region, the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM, said the two funding arrangements would encourage people to promote the Region through events while focusing on opportunities for local and visitor connection.

"Organisations committed to focussing on the region's growth to draw visitors should apply.

"By reinvesting each year, community events gain local and regional support, showcasing our area as it is, 'Regional Australia at its Best',” the Mayor said.

The GRDEP funding guidelines align with the Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), which works across the Queensland government and in partnership with regional tourism organisations.

With the assistance of the GRDEP, organisations can achieve key objectives that will help generate local economic development, boost tourism, drive positive community outcomes, and enhance Goondiwindi Region's appeal to visitors.

Previous successful recipients of TEQ funding rounds across the Southern Downs have included Hell of The West in Goondiwindi, Jumpers and Jazz in Warwick, the Snowflake Festival in Stanthorpe, and the Festival of Outback Opera for Outback Queensland.

Applications for both grants are open now and close Monday 31 July – for more information or to submit an application, visit: https://www.grc.qld.gov.au/residents/donations-grants

Or email: mail@grc.qld.gov.au  or phone 07 4671 7400.