Council’s community grants officer Jacqui Bakewell is available to help with grant applications and finding the right grant for particular projects. 

“Once a group has worked out the project they want to do, whether it’s musical instruments for a school band or signage for a nature walk, the next step is finding the right grant and preparing the application,” Ms Bakewell said. 

“If you already have a project plan, I can alert you to potential funding sources.

“The bucket is out there! It’s just finding the right one at the right time.”

Based in the Scone Administration Centre, the community grants officer is also available in Merriwa on Tuesday, June 20, and Murrurundi on Thursday, June 22, from 9.30am to 1pm at the council offices. 

She can visit on a more regular basis if appointments are requested.

In the past six months 21 grant applications seeking more than $10 million in funds have been submitted on behalf of council or in partnership with community groups. 

To date the Community Grants Program has supported more than 80 community groups and assisted them in acquiring almost $2 million in grant funding. 

From 2008 to 2016, the initiative was supported by Coal & Allied’s Community Development Fund. 

A grants bulletin is distributed each month, with many different grant opportunities included that community groups may be eligible for.

View the latest grants bulletin here - http://upperhunter.nsw.gov.au/our-services/community-grants.aspx - or have it emailed to you each month by contacting the community grants officer on jbakewell@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au or phone 6540 1172.

Council also has its own Cultural Activity Grants for incorporated non-profit community organisations in the Upper Hunter Shire. 

Every year council awards thousands of dollars to assist develop cultural and art resources and activities in the community both for broad and specific needs. 

The next round of Cultural Activity Grants will open on Wednesday, August 2, and close on Wednesday, August 30.

Successful projects will be announced in late September.  

Application form and guidelines will be available on the council website. 

For further information about these grants, contact Amanda Catzikiris - Community Services on 6540 1153 or email acatzikiris@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au