Could your not-for-profit or community group do with some extra funds to boost its work? Applying for a Council community grant could be the answer.
Applications for 2025–26 are about to open. There are 2 grant categories. You can apply for a Small Grant of up to $3,000 from 17 February to 17 March. Apply for our Annual Community Strengthening Grant of up to $10,000 from 14 April to 12 May.
Last year we awarded 127 grants to support community projects, events and activities that build connection, support health and wellbeing and celebrate our vibrant community.
A more sustainable way to play
Hundreds more children are now borrowing from the Canterbury Toy Library thanks largely to an Annual Community Strengthening Grant awarded last year.
Run by local volunteers since 1983, the library offers a sustainable way for families to bring fresh toys into their home as children grow.
The grant helped the library buy more toys for pre-school children, to boost those donated by the community. This meant they could welcome 189 new families in 2024.
Library manager Helen Dudley says membership has quadrupled since it moved into the new Canterbury Community Precinct in March 2023 and extended its hours.
‘Making sure there are enough toys for our existing members to borrow, while also having enough to welcome new members has been a challenge,’ says Helen.
‘Grant programs like these make a huge difference. Without additional support, we’d be unable to keep up.’
She says sustainability and the rising cost of living are factors driving demand. ‘And people love being able to declutter their homes and borrow toys for each stage as their children grow.’
Helen said applying for the grant was straightforward and Council’s grant-writing sessions were ‘really helpful’ for the library’s new volunteers.
How to apply for a community grant
Last year’s community grant recipients included cultural and musical groups, sports clubs, kindergartens, traders associations and scouts groups.
You can apply for a Small Grant or Annual Community Strengthening Grant under these 6 streams:
- Active Community – sports and recreation
- Life-long Community – opportunities for over 55s
- Creative Community – arts and culture
- Healthy Community – health, safety, and wellbeing, youth, children and families
- Sustainable Community – environmental sustainability
- Vibrant Retail Precincts.
To find out more and apply, visit our community grants page.