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
Many community grants are funded and/or administered by Council as part of our community and cultural development work - contact 4732 7838. If you're a community group in the Penrith area needing advice or endorsement from Council for a submission to a non Council-funded program call 4732 7777.
Community Assistance Program
Council’s Community Assistance Program (CAP) offers grants of up to $1,500 to contribute towards big ideas that meet community needs.
CAP is a great opportunity for local volunteer and community groups to get their ideas off the ground.
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 2022-23 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.
The 2022-23 Rolling Component opens on Monday 7 November 20022 and closes at 9am Monday 5 December 2022.
Applications are made through the SmartyGrants online portal at https://penrith.smartygrants.com.au/CAP-Rolling-22-23
A total of 40 projects were funded by CAP 2020-21 Planned Component - click here to see the list of recipients
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 Cultural Engagement Officer, Donita Hulme, via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 4732 7809.
Youth Week Small Grants
National Youth Week 2023 will be celebrated between Thursday 20 – Sunday 30 April, 2023. It is an opportunity to celebrate young people in the local community. Youth Week activities and events are jointly funded by the NSW Government and local Councils.
Youth Week is designed to involve young people aged 12 to 24 years throughout NSW.
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 alliedyoung 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.
Youth Week funding round will close at midnight on Monday, 5 December 2022. Applications need to be submitted by completing the Youth Week Small Grants application form.
For any additional information or questions, please contact Katerina Tahija, Community Capacity Officer on 4732 7832 or 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 2022 Category 1 funding round opens on Monday 16 May 2022 and closes on Friday 17 June 2022.
Details on how the ClubGRANTS program operates can be found at the ClubsNSW website: http://www.clubsnsw.com.au
Applications must be submitted via the online ClubGRANTS system
For further information or support for 2022 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