This program awards grants for community infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes while also promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $5,000 to $150,000
- Application opened: 2 October 2023
- Application closed: 27 October 2023, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The NSW Government is investing in infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes, while also promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion.
In 2023, the total value of the CBP program is $27.9 million. There is a maximum of $300,000 to allocate in each electorate.
The Premier’s Department manages the program on behalf of the Premier.
This program is funded and administered by Department of Communities and Justice.
Eligibility
What’s new
The CBP program has changed. Please read the CBP2023 Program Guidelines carefully.
What’s new in the CBP 2023 round:
- If you apply to build, upgrade or repair facilities, where a Development Application (DA) approval is required, you must provide current, valid Notice of Determination at the time of application.
- If you apply for a project requesting $30,001 and above, you must provide quotes to verify project expenditure, which align to the information provided in your project budget. Quotes for applications that request $30,000 or less are preferred but not mandatory. Quotes provided must be current at the time of application and relevant to the project scope and location.
- You must provide a detailed and itemised project budget for the full requested amount.
- You must demonstrate value for money of your project as part of the 4 assessment criteria.
- If you do not nominate a partial funding amount in your application, you may not be awarded partial funding.
- The individual minimum asset value requirement of $5,000 has been removed.
- The 30 per cent rule for capital works projects has been removed. Previously, for capital works projects, no more than 30 per cent of the total approved funding could be used to purchase equipment. This requirement has been removed.
- Variations or changes to the project will only be approved in limited circumstances. Please ensure that your project can be delivered in scope and on time.
Who can apply
To be eligible to apply for funding, applicants must be one of the following:
- NSW association or non-distributing co-operatives registered with NSW Fair Trading
- Local Aboriginal Land Councils or Indigenous corporations registered with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations
- NSW local councils and their section 355 committees operating under the Local Government Act 1993. Local councils and their section 355 committees are required to provide matched funding to the CBP grant amount awarded
- not-for-profit entities incorporated under an Act of Parliament
- trusts that are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
- public companies limited by guarantee.
To be eligible,
- the application must be submitted through the online system SmartyGrants
- applicants must have acquitted CBP2019, CBP2020 and CBP2021 projects by 27 October 2023, unless they have an active and approved extension in place to complete the project
- organisations listed on the ACNC Register must have a current and up-to-date record. Any organisation that has not met ongoing obligations to the ACNC will have funding withheld if the project is successful. Any outstanding issues must be resolved before the CBP project completion deadline, or the grant offer may be withdrawn
- organisations eligible to apply for funding must apply under its own legal name and ABN (if applicable).
Examples of eligible applicants
This is not an exhaustive list of eligible applicants. It is designed to give applicants an idea of the type of applicants that are eligible to apply for CBP funding.
- Community group incorporated as a NSW Association – e.g. sporting body, multicultural group, community shed
- Community group registered as a NSW Co-operative – e.g. country club, childcare co-op, golf club
- Parents and Citizens Association (P&C Association) incorporated with the Federation of P&C Associations of NSW under the Parents & Citizens Association Act of 1976 No 50
- Aboriginal organisation registered by the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) – e.g. preschool, health and welfare corporation
- Public companies limited by guarantee
Who can’t apply
Below are examples of applicants that are ineligible for CBP funding. This is not an exhaustive list of ineligible applicants. It is designed to give applicants an idea of the type of applicants that are ineligible to apply for CBP funding.
- Propriety companies and companies limited by shares
- Individuals or groups of individuals
- Unincorporated organisations
- For-profit commercial organisations
- Organisations with unacquitted CBP2019, CBP2020 or CBP2021 projects by 27 October 2023, unless they have an active and approved extension in place to complete the project
- NSW Government or Australian Government agencies and their entities (including NSW Government schools, local health districts, and public hospitals). These organisations should consider whether there is an incorporated not-for-profit body, such as a P&C Association, hospital auxiliary or incorporated entity that uses Crown Land facilities that may be eligible to apply for funding
- An eligible organisation applying on behalf of another eligible organisation
What projects can you apply for
CBP will consider funding requests between $5,000 and $150,000 for projects in NSW involving:
- capital works including construction of new community infrastructure as well as refurbishment, repair and maintenance of existing community infrastructure.
Capital works are: improvements to the land or building, or freestanding equipment that will be fixed or installed to the land or building - the purchase of freestanding equipment
- the purchase of vehicle(s) such as cars, buses, trucks, trailers, motorised rescue vehicles including boats and any modifications to existing vehicles
- projects that can be completed by 31 August 2025
- projects with one project location per application only
- an application involving a vehicle must be made separately to a capital works and/or equipment purchase. Your application may be deemed ineligible if you fail to do so.
Applications must include all required documentation.
Example projects
Below are examples of projects that are eligible for CBP funding. This is not an exhaustive list of eligible projects. It is designed to give applicants an idea of the type of projects that are eligible to apply for CBP funding.
- Resurfacing of sporting courts – e.g. tennis, netball and basketball court upgrades, drainage, playground equipment installation
- Installation of shade structures – e.g. covered outdoor learning area or refurbishment to courtyard to make an ‘all weather’ area (development consent or exemption may be required)
- Restoration of building – e.g. restoration of stained-glass windows, roof repair, solar panel installation (owner’s consent for Crown Land, development consent and heritage requirements may apply)
- Accessibility improvement – e.g. amenities, kerb ramp
- Kitchen upgrade – e.g. clubhouse kitchen renovation, plumbing, electrical works, purchase of appliances
- Public announcement system – e.g. purchase of sound equipment, electrical works and installation
What you can’t apply for
Below are examples of projects that are ineligible for CBP funding. This is not an exhaustive list of ineligible projects. It is designed to give applicants an idea of the type of projects that are ineligible to apply for CBP funding.
- Projects that have commenced works prior to the grant round closing date (27 October 2023)
- Projects located outside of NSW
- Projects that seek funding to:
- run workshops, training or facilitation
- stage events or exhibit displays
- undertake filming or recording
- cover operating costs or recurrent expenses such as staff costs, insurance, leases, bills, clothing, consumables and disposables
- deliver programs or services
- undertake studies or investigations
- purchase land or buildings (fixed assets)
- Projects that involve the development of private or commercial ventures, including upgrades/works in licensed areas of registered clubs such as liquor and/or gaming areas
- Projects receiving funding from other grant programs for the same scope of works
- Projects that should be funded as a core responsibility from another source, such as a local government, the NSW Government or Australian Government
- Project works or costs that have been or will be covered by insurance claims (e.g. repairs following weather events)
- Applications submitted after the application closing date
- Joint application or application submitted on behalf of an auspice organisation
- Projects seeking funding exclusively for costs associated with planning, or a development consent application
- Applications without DA approval, where required
- Applications that request $30,001 or above without quotation
- Applications without a detailed and itemised project budget for full requested amount.
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
The CBP program has changed. Please read the guidelines carefully.
You can download the full guidelines:
File
Community Building Partnership 2023 program guidelines (PDF 422.4KB)Applications must include all required documentation such as but not limited to:
- For applications that seek to build, upgrade or repair facilities, where a Development Application (DA) approval is required: current, valid Notice of Determination.
- Detailed and itemised project budget for full requested amount.
- For applications that request $30,001 or above:
- quotes to verify project expenditure, which align to the information provided in your project budget.
- Quotes for applications that request $30,000 or less are preferred but not mandatory.
All supporting documentation referenced above must be provided as part of your application.
Before funding is released, successful applicants will be required to provide other necessary documentation.
Prepare your application with this checklist
Before starting your application, please use this checklist to ensure your organisation and project are eligible.
- Can the project be completed by 31 August 2025?
- Is your grant request between $5,000 and $150,000?
- CBP will only be funding applications between $5,000 and $150,000. If your request is below $5,000 or over $150,000, it will not be eligible for this grant.
- Are you applying for capital works, equipment purchase or vehicle purchase/modification?
- Capital works including construction of new community infrastructure as well as refurbishment, repair and maintenance of existing community infrastructure. Capital works are: improvements to the land or building, or freestanding equipment that will be fixed or installed to the land or building
- The purchase of freestanding equipment
- The purchase of vehicle(s) such as cars, buses, trucks, trailers, motorised rescue vehicles including boats and any modifications to existing vehicles
- Does your organisation have any unacquitted CBP2019, CBP2020 and CBP2021 projects by 27 October 2023?
- Applicants must have acquitted CBP2019, CBP2020 and CBP2021 projects by 27 October 2023, unless they have an active and approved extension in place to complete the project.
- Is your organisation an incorporated not-for-profit organisations or local council?
- Please refer to ‘Who can apply’ for more information.
- If you are applying as a local council or section 355 committee, can your organisation provide matched funding to the CBP grant amount awarded?
- Local councils and their section 355 committees are required to provide dollar for dollar matched funding to the CBP grant amount awarded. Matched funding from councils must be in the form of cash and can be provided from council income sources or from other external funding sources.
- If you are a P & C Association have you consulted with your school Principal, and obtained their support for your project?
- As the grant recipient, you are required to consult with the School Principal for their support on any proposed projects on public school grounds. If successful, you will be required to obtain formal approval from the Department of Education for funding to be released.
- Does your project require Development Application (DA) approval, and can you present evidence at the time of application?
- If you apply to build, upgrade or repair facilities, where a Development Application (DA) approval is required, you must provide current, valid Notice of Determination at the time of application. Before applying, applicants should speak with their local council to clarify if their project will require a development application (DA).
- Do you have property/landowner’s consent to undertake your capital works project?
- For capital works projects, you must provide property/landowner’s consent form (PDF 333.84KB) for your works to be undertaken at the project location. If successful, you will be required to provide this consent in writing with your Funding Deed submission.
- Do you have a valid certificate of currency for your organisation’s insurance policy covering public liability insurance for at least $5 million?
- Your organisation is required to provide a Certificate of Currency for Public Liability Insurance with a minimum cover of $5 million, regardless of the project type. The policy must be current and valid at time of application, and be submitted with your application.
- Does your project deliver positive social, environmental, and recreational outcomes, while also promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion?
- Please refer to CBP 2023 Program Guidelines for more information. Eligible projects will be assessed against four equally weighted criteria:
- Enhancing facilities
- Meeting community needs and increasing community participation
- The organisation’s capacity
- Demonstrating value for money
- Please refer to CBP 2023 Program Guidelines for more information. Eligible projects will be assessed against four equally weighted criteria:
Address the eligibility criteria
Your application will be assessed against eligibility criteria outlined in the CBP 2023 Program Guidelines to determine that:
- the applicant organisation is eligible to apply
- the project type is eligible for CBP funding
- the application meets program requirements for commencement, completion and amount of funding requested
- the application is in the right NSW electorate and is assessed in the correct NSW electorate based on project location information
- the application is accurate and complete upon submission.
Only the information submitted as part of the online application is considered. The CBP team will not contact applicants to seek clarification or further information. Therefore, you must ensure the information is both accurate and complete.
Address the assessment criteria
The relevant State Member of Parliament (MP) will assess the eligible applications in their electorate on how they address four equally weighted Assessment Criteria:
Criterion 1:Enhancing facilities. The project develops a sustainable and inclusive community through the enhancement or construction of community infrastructure.
- You should demonstrate this through identifying how the project will deliver positive social, environmental or recreational outcomes.
- Describe the current situation in your community. (What is there now?)
- Describe how your project will contribute and improve the current situation in your community. (What will be different? What will be built?)
Criterion 2: Meeting community needs and increasing community participation. The project supports activities and services needed by local communities and encourages community participation.
- You should demonstrate this through identifying why the project is a priority need, why funding is important, and how the project will promote community participation, inclusion and cohesion.
- Describe how your project will encourage more members of the community to participate in activities and/or services.
- Describe how your project will promote more inclusive activities and/or services. (Include who and how many people will be affected.)
- Tell us how you know that the community needs your project as a matter of priority. (Include any surveys, statistics and research, if available.)
Criterion 3: The organisation’s capacity. The applicant has the capacity to deliver the project on time and within scope.
- You should demonstrate this through identifying how you are able to deliver the project within your organisation’s resources.
- Provide a detailed project plan with key tasks and milestones.
- Demonstrate that your organisation can deliver the project on time by including all relevant documentation in your application.
- Describe your organisation’s experience in delivering similar projects. (For example, have you been successful in receiving grant funding previously and did you deliver the project on time?)
- Describe the resources and skills your organisation has that will help it to successfully deliver the project on time and within budget.
Criterion 4: Demonstrating value for money. The project delivers value for money when assessing its lifetime benefits against its lifetime costs.
- You should demonstrate this through identifying how the project delivers value for money when comparing the project’s lifetime economic, cultural and environmental benefits, including non-monetary benefits, with its lifetime costs.
- Detail and itemise all the costs associated with the project and how they will be covered. (View a sample budget table.)
- Provide quotations, price comparisons and advice from professionals to show that the costs are reasonable.
- Provide letters confirming other sources of financial support.
Start the application
Applying for the CBP2023 round is simple.
Once you have confirmed that both your project and organisation are eligible, register for a SmartyGrants account and start your application.
You can also download a copy of the application form from the SmartyGrants website prior to starting your application, which will help you to prepare.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: NSW Premier
After the assessment process is completed, applicants are notified of the outcome of their application by email through the email address registered at the time of application.
Successful projects will be published on this page.
To receive your grant, you will need to log in to SmartyGrants and fill out and return the online Funding Deed and the EFT Banking Details form, as well as submit all other required documentation. (View a sample Funding Deed.)
Support and contact
The CBP Team at the Department of Communities and Justice are available to provide information and support for CBP 2023 applicants.
Phone: (02) 8753 8144
Email: CBP2023@dcj.nsw.gov.au