Matching Grants: matching volunteer hours
Have you got a great idea to improve or inspire your local village and a group of eager participants ready to make it happen? Then you might have what it takes to receive a Matching Grant!
Matching Grants support neighbourhood groups in the City of Sydney to purchase materials or supplies to help create projects that bring the community together. Matching Grants are available all year round and ‘match’ contributions made by the community with up to $10,000 cash or offer in-kind support like venue hire of City owned buildings. We also have a tree planting matching grant for groups of two or more to plant trees on their private property.
Volunteer time adds up!
The best bit about our Matching Grants is we don’t just match cash, we match volunteer time or your ‘community contribution’. This is the time you and your group contribute to the project. It can include volunteer time such as labour you put towards your project, set up and pack down and meeting time to identify, plan and implement projects. We match volunteer time at the rate of $20 per hour and professional services at $75 per hour. Once you’ve got a good plan in place, you’ll find it quickly adds up.
Need some inspiration?
We’ve funded some incredible Matching Grants in the past. Some of our favourites are:
- Cooking Camps for Kids in Taylor Square
- Neighbourhood clean up days
- Clever cycling projects
- A local library of share items like gardening equipment, sewing machines or tools
There are lots of great ideas out there, we’d love to add yours to this list!
Apply Now! Matching Grants in five simple steps
- It all starts with an idea
Find some friends, locals or neighbours to help and hatch your great idea. We’ve funded cooking camps for kids, neighbourhood BBQs, community gardens, swap parties and creative writing classes for seniors – to name a few.
- Start with our guidelines and get planning
We’ve created some matching grant guidelines for you. Work out what you can contribute, and what you need from us. Organise a meeting or a Facebook group to discuss your project idea. Think about dates, costs and the amount of time it will take to get your project humming.
- Get in touch with us
Before you send off your submission, get in touch and we can let you know if you’re on the right track. We can also help you with budgets, plans and permissions. Budgets can be tough, here’s a sample budget for a community garden and a sample neighbourhood clothes swap budget.
- Need permission?
Just like parties at home when your parents are out, sometimes you need to get permission. Approvals can include things like Development Applications, evidence of owners consent or specific permits. Sometimes you may be required to undertake community consultation to deliver your project.
- Apply now!
Download an application form in word or pdf and include any supporting documents that will help us assess your proposal. You’ll receive a letter from us letting you know we got your submission.
What now?
Matching Grants can take up to ten weeks to assess. Be patient and good luck! In the meantime, if you’d like to keep updated with grants recipients or check out other projects, like us on Facebook.