Grants
- Details
- Written by Adam Gatt Penrith City Council (02) 4732 7777 (02) 4732 7958 council@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au https://www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au 601 High St Penrith NSW 2750 Australia
We offer a range of funding opportunities to support initiatives that improve the life of community members, boost the cultural life of Penrith and address key identified needs.
Community Assistance Program
Council’s Community Assistance Program (CAP) offers grants of up to $1,500. Small grants are available for programs or activities that meet identified community needs.
Community groups can use CAP to:
- Connect to their local community
- Deliver programs differently
- Expand or adapt their services for new and growing needs
- Purchase resources
- Develop their skills
Projects are prioritised according to the eligibility and assessment criteria set out in the 2023-24 Community Assistance Program Guidelines & FAQ
To be eligible for funding, projects must:
- be delivered by community based non-profit organisations
- be one off activities (suitable for one off funding, or have a plan for future resourcing)
- be of direct benefit to Penrith City residents
- encourage participation by Penrith City residents, including disadvantaged community members (in line with Council's Access and Equity Principles).
Please note, funding cannot be used to achieve the core responsibilities of an existing Government funded program, be used for fundraising activities or a previously funded project.
Applications open at 9am on 7 June 2023 and close at 5pm on 6 July 2023.
Projects must be delivered between October 2023 to 31 May 2024.
Applications are made through the SmartyGrants online portal at https://penrith.smartygrants.com.au/CAP23-24
Information Session
An information session will be held at 10am on Wednesday 14 June via Zoom.
In this one-hour session we'll cover:
1. Community priorities
2. Overview of the grants available
3. How to write a standout application
4. Auspicing 101
5. Expectations of successful applicants.
Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtf-6hqDsuE9w6Y9-cVGEQxhVts-1L2Wk1#/registration
For more information on the Community Assistance Program contact Community Capacity Officer, Natalie Wadwell on 4732 7513 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Heritage Grants
Council provides grants to help protect and boost the valuable cultural heritage in Penrith. These grants help owners, renters and not-for-profit organisations to repair and maintain heritage listed properties, homes and locations across the City. Find out more information on the Heritage Conversation page.
Magnetic Places
Funding creative placemaking projects with priority communities in Penrith LGA
Magnetic Places grants for 2022 are now closed.
Talk to us
An important part of the application process is to discuss your idea with our project team. We can:
• provide advice on eligibility and ideas
• connect you with local services and / or communities
• advise on community profiles and previous activities.
Contact Isabella Roberts, Community Projects Officer - Neighbourhood Renewal via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 4732 7684.
Youth Week Small Grants
National Youth Week 2023 was celebrated between Thursday 20 – Sunday 30 April, 2023. In 2022-2023 six organisations across Penrith City were successful in applying for the Youth Week Small Grants through an Expression of Interest process.
Youth Week is an opportunity for young people to share ideas, attend live events, have their voices heard on issues of concern, showcase their talents, celebrate their contribution to the community and have fun with peers.
Community groups can use the Youth Week Small Grants to:
• Raise issues and concerns of young people
• Develop strategies to address the issues important to young people
• Increase the community’s awareness of young people and the issues that are important to them
• Promote young people’s contributions to the community
• Demonstrate the involvement of young people in the planning of activities
• Demonstrate access to activities from a broad range of young people.
Projects are prioritised according to the eligibility and assessment criteria set out in the Youth Week 2023 funding form and will be assessed by a panel of young people.
Focus should be made to include young people who may experience disadvantage.
Consider actively including:
• Young people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds
• Young people living with disability
• Young parents
• Young people that are geographically isolated
• Young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• Young people disadvantaged by their socio-economic circumstances
• Young people who have left school early or are at risk of leaving school early
• Young women
• Young offenders
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and allied young people.
To be eligible for funding, projects must:
• Be delivered by community based non–profit organisations providing one-off activities including unincorporated groups under auspice arrangements
• Be of direct benefit to Penrith City residents
• Encourage participation by Penrith City residents, including disadvantaged community members (in line with Council's Access and Equity Principles)
• Take place during NSW Youth Week.
Please note, funding cannot be used to achieve the core responsibilities of an existing Government funded program, be used for fundraising activities, or a previously funded project.
For any additional information or questions, please contact Community Capacity team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
ClubGRANTS
Penrith LGA Category 1 ClubGRANTS is a community development funding program sponsored by local Registered Clubs and coordinated by Penrith City Council. This scheme enables registered clubs with an annual gaming machine revenue exceeding $1 million to apply 1.85% of their gaming machine revenue to specific community development and support projects.
The 2023 Category 1 funding round opens on Monday 17 April 2023 and closes on Friday 19 May 2023.
Click here to learn more about how the ClubGRANTS program operates at the ClubsNSW website.
Applications must be submitted via the online ClubGRANTS system
For further information or support for 2023 ClubGRANTS applications, please contact Community Capacity Officer, Michael Laing on 4732 7405 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Useful links
For non-council grant programs and further advice on applying for grants, please see the below sites:
- NSW Government Community Builders website - includes tips for completing applications and lists of grants and community sector awards
- Our Community Grants webpage - find information on a variety of grants, crowdfunding and donations
- Australian Government Grant Connect – for current and forecast Australian Government Grants
- Not-for-profit Law website – includes detailed information on auspicing and information about seeking grant information
- Fair Trading NSW website – includes information on incorporation and associations