Grass Roots Community Grants playing an instrumental role in getting projects off the ground

Twice a year CBH opens up our Grass Roots Community Grants to clubs, groups and not for profit organisations located within our grain growing communities to access financial support for projects and events that are import to the sustainability and health of their communities.

The program has been running since 2014 and has funded a total of 616 events and projects to the value of $1.8 million. Our February round saw 38 organisations receive a share in $150,000.

The program opens in February and August each year and invites organisations in grower communities to apply for funding of up to $10,000 related to small scale infrastructure and up to $5,000 for community events. Interest in the program continues to grow with applications from schools, sporting groups, event organisers, healthcare facilities among others. 

Our Grass Roots Community Grants is a significant element of our community investment program, which is a component of our Community Investment Fund will see more than $1.6 million invested annually in partnerships, events and activities in our regional communities. The next round will open 1 August making available a further $150,000 for projects and events along with an addition $100,000 for communities affected by cyclone Seroja to apply for funds.

Meet three of our successful applicants this round

Successful applicant Broomehill Recreational Complex received a $10,000 grant toward the installation of solar lighting after Club Secretary Sara Robinson applied for the grant on behalf of the club. Ms Robinson said, “Thank you to CBH for supporting our small community through the CBH Grass Roots Community Grant. “We will install solar lighting in the car park and along new paths at the Broomehill Recreational Complex. We are looking forward to our members and visitors being able to safely walk from the pavilion to their cars at night,” she said.

Mullewa Football Club were successful in their application for $5,658 to purchase equipment for their local gym. Mullewa Football Club President Mick Wall said, “Not only is this a massive positive for our footy club, but our whole community will have access to the equipment”.

Bolgart Progress Association Secretary Barbara Mottershaw said the grant would make a significant difference to their small community as an air conditioner in the hall meant more clubs and groups would be able to use the venue. “The Bolgart Progress Association is reintroducing a program of events and functions including movie nights, community lunches and dinners, live concerts, dances and craft markets to reduce social isolation and bring the community together in a positive way,” Ms Mottershaw said. “We have much more to do but the CBH Grass Roots Community Grant funding of $8,818 has been instrumental in enabling us to take the first steps to achieving our goal. Our first social get together will be a morning tea and movie morning for our seniors.”

February 2021 round successful applications