Community funding

Auspicing is when an eligible community group or organisation applies for funding on behalf of a community group or organisation that isn’t eligible to apply. For an auspicing arrangement, you should consider the following:

• Provide evidence (Minutes of Board/Committee Meetings etc.) to clearly explain that both groups/organisations have agreed to the arrangement.

• The auspicing group or organisation is responsible for managing the funding and ensuring the activity/project/event and funding process is completed, including the acquittal report.

Public areas, places and spaces usually refer to the activity centre of a suburb where local businesses, shops and organisations are located.

In line with the City’s Community Funding Policy, general operational expenditure refers to the ongoing costs of running an organisation – including staff salaries, rent or lease payments, insurance, utilities, and office equipment. These are considered “business as usual” (BAU) expenses that are expected to be funded through the group’s own operational budget. 

The City does not fund the day-to-day running of an organisation through its funding program. Instead, funding is intended to support clearly defined, one-off events, projects or pilot initiatives with a specific start and end point and measurable outcomes. 

Applications that request support for ongoing activity without a project-based structure may be deemed ineligible.

Public liability insurance helps protect you if someone is injured or something is damaged because of your project or event. Some venues or activities may require you to have this insurance in place before your project can go ahead. 

The scale and nature of the project will determine the insurance requirements. A small, localised neighbourhood activation may not require insurance, whereas a larger community event does. 

The City is not responsible for determining the level or appropriateness of insurance cover. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they meet venue and activity requirements.

Yes - if your project needs public liability insurance to go ahead, and you don’t already have it, you can include the cost in your budget (for the one-off initiative included in the Kickstarter application). This helps individuals or new groups who don’t usually hold insurance but want to run a safe and supported one-off project.

For this expense to be eligible, the following must apply:

• The insurance is essential for your project to happen.

• You don’t already hold any public liability insurance.

• The project isn’t already covered by someone else’s insurance (e.g. through City’s casual venue hire).

• You are applying as an individual or unincorporated group (not a business, incorporated organisation or registered charity).

• The cost is reasonable for the size and length of your project and a quote for the insurance is attached to the application.

Public liability insurance is not eligible under other City Community Funding streams.

The City encourages applicants to seek a partnering approach; there is an expectation that applicants will be self-contributing and/or seeking other external sources of support, either financially or in-kind, in addition to the City’s contribution.

The City of Wanneroo has numerous community halls, clubrooms as well as parks and reserves which are used for a wide range of activities. 

To enquire about the availability and hire cost of a community centre, clubroom or park/sports ground, please contact the City's Facility Booking team on 9405 5000 or visit the Venue Hire web page. Funding can be used towards facility hire fees.

In-kind support refers to any contribution towards a project that is not financial. For example; donated services for the preparation or delivery of the project - like volunteer hours, or donated goods such as food, materials or equipment. 

Estimate the worth of in-kind support by asking – how much would this cost if we had to pay for it? For example, the worth of volunteer hours can be worked out by estimating how many hours worked x how many volunteers x hourly rate.

The City will fund one-off projects with the expectation that the applicant has taken sustainability of the project into consideration. 

If a project is likely to continue in the future, applicants will need to demonstrate a plan for its continued delivery once funding ceases. 

Eligible applicants who have received funding previously will still be considered but may not be approved on these grounds.

The City prefers projects that are free for attendees/participants. A free event requires there to be no admission fee and some free activities, however it does not exclude having some paid components for example, a food truck or coffee/ice cream van. 

Projects that have small entry or participation fees that go towards the projects running costs will still be considered.

Fundraising cannot be the main purpose of the project. Applicants can do some small fundraising to cover the costs of the project, but not to raise any profits. The Community Resource page has further suggestions on how to fundraise for your group.

When applying for funding, food items or catering can comprise 10% of the total grant funding requested. 

Partnering with other local groups and businesses can assist in obtaining catering for your project. Consider connecting with your local grocery store, suppliers, bakeries and butchers to advertise their contribution towards your project. 

If your project is food/meal based (for example, a Volunteer Breakfast or Community Christmas lunch) please speak with the Community Development team to discuss your project prior to applying.

When providing the budget in your application, include all expenses and contributions so the overall cost of the Project is shown. As well as the requested expense items from this grant, include both the financial and in-kind contributions from the applicant organisation and any other contributors, specifying what the contribution will be used towards.

It is important to note that the City can only contribute up to a total of $750 towards capital equipment (i.e. items that will remain as assets) and catering up to 10% of the total grant request. 

Check out the Online Funding Portal for more resources to help plan your budget.