Grant guidelines

About the program

The Healthy Communities Grants Program, funded by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), aims to strengthen the health, wellbeing and connectedness of communities across the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area (NPA).

The Program recognises that healthy communities are broader than sport alone.  Sport and active recreation remain important, though healthy communities also include healthy eating, social and emotional wellbeing, youth engagement, cultural connection, family participation, community leadership and local solutions designed by communities themselves.

The Program is intended to be practical, community-led and accessible. It supports good local ideas, fair access to funding and a simple but accountable approach to public funding.

A PDF version of the Grant Guidelines is also available:

Download Grant Guidelines

Funding streams

Stream 1: sporting & Active communities grants

Supporting sporting, active recreation and physical activity projects that help people participate, connect and stay active.

Stream 2: Healthy projects & Initiatives grants

Supporting community-led health, wellbeing, participation and connection projects.

Stream 3: Local community solutions

Supporting place-based priorities which ensure every community has access to support.

Stream 4: Capacity Building support

Strengthening the skills and confidence of local groups, volunteers, committees and organisations.

You must:

  • Be located in, or clearly delivering activities located within, TSRA Communities

    • Funding is intended to support activities delivered in TSRA Communities for the direct benefit of people living in those communities. Applicants based outside TSRA Communities may only be considered where the activity is delivered locally and there is clear evidence of local community support, local benefit and local involvement

  • Have an ABN or be auspiced by an organisation with an ABN

  • Demonstrate community support

  • Have capacity to deliver the activity

  • Agree to funding agreement, reporting, and acquittal requirements

  • Not have overdue reporting or acquittal obligations to GBK, TSRA, or another relevant funder, unless an agreed arrangement is in place

Who can apply?

You are eligible if you are:

  • a Torres Strait Islander or Aboriginal Corporation

  • a local community organisation or group

  • a sporting club

  • a community-controlled entity

  • a local council

  • a school or educational institution

  • an incorporated company limited by guarantee, not-for-profit company, or other company type (including co-operative) where the proposed activity is not for private gain or commercial profit; or

  • an unincorporated group or individual auspiced by an eligible organisation.

Eligibility

The following are ineligible to apply for funding:

  • individuals applying for personal benefit

  • organisations seeking funding for private gain or commercial profit

  • organisations with overdue reporting or acquittal obligations, unless an agreed arrangement is in place

  • applicants seeking funding for activities outside TSRA Communities

  • applicants seeking support for people who do not live in TSRA Communities to travel to or participate in an activity

  • applicants seeking funding for activities that duplicate an existing funded service

  • applicants seeking funding for activities that are the primary responsibility of another government agency

  • applicants who cannot demonstrate community benefit, local support or capacity to deliver.

What we can fund

Funding may be used for reasonable and necessary costs directly related to the approved project, including, but not limited to:

  • Minor equipment and materials or resources needed to deliver the activity

  • Venue hire

  • Facilitator, trainer, referee or instructor costs

  • Travel directly related to an eligible activity

  • Accommodation directly related to an eligible activity

  • Freight and transport of equipment

  • Promotion and communication Insurance directly required for the activity

  • Training and accreditation

  • Catering within reasonable limits

  • Reasonable auspicing fees (if applicable)

What we cannot fund

Funding cannot be used for:

  • Activities delivered outside TSRA Communities, even where the participants are residents of TSRA Communities

  • Travel, accommodation or participation costs for people who do not live in TSRA Communities, even where the activity is delivered in a TSRA Community

  • Activities for private gain or commercial profit

  • Costs already incurred before approval

  • Repayment of debts or loans

  • Purchase of land

  • Purchase of large assets including vehicles, unless specifically approved as exceptional and essential

  • Unreasonable operational costs

  • Ongoing wages or permanent employment costs, unless specifically approved under the relevant stream

  • Activities that duplicate existing funded services

  • Activities that are the primary responsibility of another government agency

  • Political or religious activities where the primary purpose is not community health and wellbeing

  • Any activity associated with, or promoting, alcohol, tobacco or gambling products

  • Excessive catering

  • Prizes, cash payments, gift cards or personal benefits, unless specifically approved

  • Projects that do not provide a clear benefit to TSRA Communities.

Assessment criteria

For Streams 1 and 2, applications will be assessed against the assessment criteria below. For Streams 3 and 4, GBK will consider requests or identified opportunities against the Program objectives, demonstrated need, community benefit, available funding, value for money, delivery practicality and any stream-specific requirements.

The level of detail required should match the size and complexity of the proposed activity. Larger, higher-cost or more complex activities should provide more detailed information and supporting evidence.

In addition to the published assessment criteria, GBK may consider relevant supporting information, including attachments submitted with the application, clarification responses, previous grant delivery history, and whether the applicant has met reporting and acquittal obligations for earlier grants.

  • Weighting: 40%

    You should explain:

    • How your activity supports health, wellbeing, sport, active recreation, or community connection

    • Who will benefit from your activity

    • Why your activity is needed

    • How your activity reflects local priorities

    • How the community has been involved in your activity

  • Weighting: 30%

    Provide information regarding:

    • Who will deliver the project

    • What experience or support those delivering the project have

    • If partners are involved in your project

    • Whether your project can be delivered within the timeframe

    • How risks will be managed

  • Weighting: 30%

    You should explain:

    • What the funding will pay for

    • Whether your costs are reasonable

    • Whether quotes, in-kind, support, or other contributes are available

    • What outcomes will be achieved

    • What benefit will remain after the project finishes