Community groups get a boost in Council’s largest grants pool

Dozens of Parramatta’s local events, social enterprises and community organisations will get a boost in 2025, after being awarded a share of Council’s biggest ever Annual Community Grants Program yet.

The first major announcement of this financial year’s $725,000 annual program saw 28 groups and organisations awarded a total of $365,000 as part of the Community funding round between July and December this year.

Community groups including Western Sydney Orchestra Project Ltd and Diversity Arts Australia received $20,000 for programs designed to develop storytelling and leadership skills in the community, while The Warrior Women Foundation and Sri Om Foundation Limited received $10,000 each to provide mentoring and improve health and wellbeing.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said Council’s grants programs provide crucial funding for grass roots cultural groups and not for profits that make a positive difference in our community.

“This program is about Council backing in the local community groups who help make our City great,” Cr Zaiter said.  

"From entrepreneurs to volunteers to budding sports stars and creatives and event organisers bringing visitors to our City, this funding is set to make a positive difference to the successful recipients heading into 2025,” Cr Zaiter said.

“At a time when cost of living is biting, Council is coming to the table to support and I want to congratulate those successful community organisations who have been named to receive funding.”

An extra $150,000 was added to the program following a Council decision in June this year to meet community needs and drive greater visitation to the City with a focus on the City’s growing creative and nighttime trading, with $100,000 of that allocated for the upcoming Cultural funding round.

Since 2007, Council has provided more than $7 million of support to community organisations, volunteer groups, sporting clubs, social enterprises, creative producers, heritage organisations and individuals.

The Annual Community Grants Program is now offered in two rounds: Community (July-December 2024) and Cultural (January-June 2025).

Applications for the Cultural round open on Monday 13 January 2025 and close 11 March 2025, while people can apply for the next round of Community funding in mid-2025.

Community groups are also encouraged to submit applications for the Small Grants Fund and Social Enterprise Business Planning Grants and Parramatta Sport and Recreation Grants quarterly. Applications for the third round of this funding closes 7 February 2025.

Locals excelling at their chosen sport can also apply for the Parramatta Representative Sport Grants anytime throughout the financial year.