The Community Grants Program (CGP), aims to assist and encourage the involvement of all Western Australians in projects and events that promote the inclusion of Western Australians from diverse linguistic, religious and ethnic backgrounds in the Western Australian community.

Cross-cultural festivals, community events and celebrations, concerts and plays, seminars, workshops, forums, exhibitions and conferences are among the projects that have received funding under the CGP.

Applications may target members of established communities, however, a primary focus for OMI in 2009-2010 will be on addressing the needs of people from new and emerging communities.

Eligible organisations can submit no more than one application, per round, to the OMI Community Grants Program.

For auspiced Grants - Eligible organisations may apply as above and may also auspice one unincorporated community group per round.

Click here for INFORMATION ON SUCCESFUL GRANTS.

Community Groups and organisations seeking funding for projects and initiatives during Harmony Week 2010 can do so through the Community Grants Program(CGP). Applications for the next funding round of the CGP close 19 November 2009.

Community Grants Program Objectives

The objectives of the Community Grants Program are to:

• Increase representation of members of culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities in all aspects of social, economic and political life.
• Encourage mutual respect between individuals and communities and facilitate positive interaction among people of different linguistic, religious and ethnic backgrounds.
• Strengthen the capacity of CaLD communities to develop and sustain programs that respond to the needs of individual and community needs.
• Promote the benefits of cultural diversity and the contribution of individuals and communities from CaLD backgrounds to the Western Australian community.

Who is eligible to apply for funding?

To be eligible for funding under the Community Grants Program, organisations must be:

• not for-profit, incorporated community based organisations and groups;
• based in Western Australia; and
• seeking funds for a project to be undertaken exclusively in Western Australia.

What types of activities are funded by the Community Grants Program?

Examples of applications that have received funding include: cross-cultural festivals, community cultural events and celebrations, concerts and plays, seminars, workshops, forums, exhibitions and conferences, community education projects such as training programs, information sessions cultural exchanges, publications with a multicultural focus, including books, manuals, information kits and projects targeting racism and discrimination in all its forms.

Priority is given to projects that:

• meet one or more of the objectives of the CGP;
• have involvement and support from other community groups and organisations, attract financial income and/or 'in kind' support from the applicant, funding bodies and/or other funding sources;
• produce outcomes of benefit to the target audience and to the wider Western Australian community; and
• Provide a clear project plan and project budget including a breakdown of how funding sought through the CGP will be spent;

Funds are NOT available for fund raising or projects expected to realise a profit, interstate or overseas travel, the purchase of land and buildings, capital equipment or works projects.

How much money is available?

Grant amounts will vary according to the scope of the project for example:

• Cultural Events, Celebrations & Festivals
• individual community groups up to $3,000
• community wide cross-cultural festivals up to $5,000
• Multicultural Projects
  funding up to a maximum of $10,000

Projects which require funding above $10,000 can be considered but funding is limited. Applicants must discuss proposals with the Grants Officer before a CGP application is submitted.

The entire Community Grants Program has an annual funding limit of $250,000.

When can I apply?

There are quarterly funding rounds for the Community Grants program each year in March, June, September December. The Grants Assessment Committee holds it assessment meetings on the second Friday of these months.

In 2009-2010 the closing dates and Assessment Committee meeting dates will be:

In order to have your application assessed in a timely manner, it should:

• be received by OMI no later than 5pm on the closing date shown above; and
• be requesting funds for a project that will start at least three months after the funding round closing date

Applications for the next funding round must be received by the Office of Multicultural Interests by: 5pm, Thursday 19 November 2009.

What happens after an application for funding is submitted?

Applications for funding which are received by the closing date are assessed by the Grants Committee and recommendations formulated for the Minister' for Multicultural Interests and Citizenship approval.

All applicants are notified in writing regarding the outcome of their application.

What conditions must be met by grant recipients?

Successful applicants are required to enter into an official grant agreement (contract) with the Office of Multicultural Interests. This is undertaken on behalf of the State Government, which is the funding body for the Community Grants Program. The grant agreement will outline the purpose of the grant, expectations and any conditions associated with the funds provided.

Grants come with specific reporting requirements, which will be clearly explained before funds are made available. One requirement is that you must provide OMI with a certified financial statement and a project evaluation report within 60 days of the project's completion. This report should demonstrate the project achievements and how the funds were used.

How can I get further information about the Community Grants Program?

To get further information, check if your organisation is eligible for funding, or if you wish to discuss your project prior to submitting a formal application, please contact the Grants Officer on 9217 1600. OMI looks forward to receiving your application and working with you to benefit the Western Australian community.

Alternatively, if you would like to send your query by email, please click here

Where can I find application forms for the Community Grants Program?

Application Forms and Guidelines on how to prepare your application can be downloaded from this website.

Application Form and Guidelines PDF format

Application Form and Guidelines Microsoft Word 2000 format