Community and Cultural Grants

Our next grant round will open from 23 March to 3 May 2026 for projects implemented between July 2026 and June 2027. A link to the application form will be available on this webpage.

• Small grants of up to $3,900, are available to not-for-profit community organisations, community groups, education facilities, individuals or sole traders.
• Large grants of between $3,901 and $9,750, are available to not-for-profit community organisations, community groups or education facilities. Individuals/ sole traders may only apply for a Large Grant if under the auspices of a not-for-profit organisation.

1. Community Projects
   These included but are not limited to services/projects/activities which complement the Council's own services and identified priorities in the areas of families, children and young people, seniors, social isolation, mental health, cultural diversity, people with disability, community safety, domestic violence, and building community partnerships and networks. Projects must foster inclusion and be open to the community.
   
   
2. Cultural Projects
   This includes a broad range of cultural development initiatives that are in line with priorities identified by Council. Examples include but are not limited to performing and visual arts and crafts, literature, film, design, history and heritage and their expression through public debate, festivals, exhibitions, performances, creative space, competitions and public celebrations of importance to communities. Projects must foster inclusion and be open to the community.

• 2024/25 grant recipients(PDF, 41KB)
• 2023/24 grant recipients(PDF, 31KB)
• 2022/23 grant recipients(PDF, 146KB)
• 2021/22 grant recipients(PDF, 353KB)
• 2020/21 grant recipients(PDF, 490KB)
• 2019/20 grant recipients(PDF, 56KB)
• 2018/19 grant recipients(PDF, 264KB)
• 2017/18 grant recipients(PDF, 116KB)

Centre 360 Youth Community Days

The Centre 360 Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) delivered 4 youth-led open days, each promoting a connected, vibrant and creative community by increasing engagement between diverse youth communities in Woollahra Municipality, representative leaders, community leaders and the general public.

The open days focused on addressing social isolation and loneliness, improving mental health, community connectivity and representation of the diversity of the local area, including those from First Nations and LGBTQIA+ communities.

This project provided vital opportunities for leadership for young people.

As one young person noted: "We had some really important people in the audience who listened to us and asked us important questions that made me think more deeply about things. It made me realise the impact I can have on people and I want to do more to have an impact on the lives of other young people."

Bludger Films

Bludger Films, one of our 2022 cultural grant recipients, used their funding to assist with the making of the short animated film 'Tea Cups', an exploration of Watsons Bay resident Don Ritchie's contribution, to care for people experiencing mental health crisis. A spotlight on a valued Woollahra story, the film went on to be included in the tour with FlickrFest: Best of Australia and became a finalist in the Aspen Short Film Festival and the Guadalajara Film Festival. The film's win of the Best Animation category at the Sydney film festival, the St Kilda short film festival, as well as Yoram Gross Animation Award were well deserved accolades. Council was pleased to screen the film to the community at Double Bay Library during Mental Health Month in October 2023.

South Head Anglican Parish

South head Anglican Parish utilised their 2023 community grant to deliver a monthly community lunch. Open to all, no matter faith the lunches resulted in friendships, social connection and a sense of belonging to a community. Sixty to Sixty-five people attended the lunches, enjoying conversation, entertainment, good food and company.

Days for Girls

One of our 2020 grant recipients Days for Girls at NCJWA NSW is a community 'making project' that we are proud to support. The project facilitates creating reusable sanitary kits for girls and women in developing countries. Watch this short video to understand what is involved in the Days for Girls project.

Floorplan Studio Rockpool Residency

Unseen Worlds was an interdisciplinary project centred around Nielsen Park, produced by Floorplan Studio. The project delved into the intertidal ecologies and cultural history of Nielsen Park, a significant site for the Birrabirragal people.

Kirsty Kross: National Treasure

Image credit: Sammy Hawker

National Treasure was an exhibition at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf that also activated the Murray Rose Swimming Pool with a celebratory performance spectacular on 14 December 2024 that was free, inclusive and participatory for the local community. Musicians from Woollahra performed as participants and were gifted treasures made by the artist, Kirsty Kross, in collaboration with Miroma Community Group. Workshops with pupils from Woollahra Preschool and senior citizens from Holdsworth also took place during the exhibition. To see the film of the performance, visit Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf website.

Dressability

Dressability utilised their 2024 community grant to deliver an Inclusive Fashion Styling Workshop in which participants of all ages and abilities were given the tools and tips to express their individuality. Facilitated discussions regarding styling techniques, sustainability practices, and the local community helped to build community connection and resulted in the 'confidence to feel visible'.

REELise

The 2024 REELise Film Festival, which empowers young filmmakers through friendly competition, resources and networking opportunities was funded by a Woollahra Cultural Grant. The festival additionally promoted mental health and suicide prevention for young people, allowing them to share their passions and abilities in a safe, inclusive space. In total, 15 films were selected for screening, which were seen by more than 3,000 audience members. 

Yes. In your application budget you can outline the number of hours for the facilitation of the activity and provide evidence of the award rate required to pay the facilitator. For example, the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) provide a Payments Standards Guide to support the visual arts, craft and design sector.

Woollahra Council often implements a number of themes for the round. These themes address evolving community needs. Projects that strongly align to a theme will be assessed as a stronger application compared to an application that does not align to a theme.

The themes for the 2026/27 Grants Round in the Community and Cultural stream are:

For Community grants:

1. Projects that strengthen and advocate for social cohesion through increased neighbourhood participation, social connection and celebration / promotion of our local community diversity including delivery of intergenerational activities which focus on reducing social isolation.

2. Projects that activate existing places and spaces so that children, youth and families have safe and affordable places to meet, connect, celebrate and feel they belong.

3. Mental health and wellbeing for children, families and young people and provision of services and activities for people living with a disability.

For Cultural grants:

1. Projects undertaken in the LGA led by, or in partnership with First Nations organisations or individuals, which foster engagement, representation and positive relationships within the Woollahra community. Projects should focus on storytelling, cultural knowledge, language, ecological storytelling and history.

2. Arts and cultural projects that foster engagement and activation through temporary exhibitions, workshops and performances in public spaces in the LGA and/or Council venues.