Active Inner West Grants
Overview
The Active Inner West grant stream (formerly known as Recreation grants) provide financial support to community and non-government groups that offer sport and/or active recreation programs and services to residents in the Inner West.
Key dates
The Active Inner West grant round will be available in 2026.
Funding available
Active Inner West grants of up to $5,000 per year for two years (multi-year).
Past recipients
A list of successful applicants and their projects for earlier rounds, can be found on the Successful Recreation Grants page.
Guidelines
Objectives
The objectives of the active inner west grant program are to:
- Address and remove barriers to participation and engagement
- Promote an active, inclusive, and healthy community
- Increase and/or enhance regular and ongoing participation opportunities in sport, active recreation, or structured physical activity in a sustainable manner
- Build the capacity of the organisation to enhance the provision of sport and active recreation services (provide training to develop the skills of volunteers)
Assessment criteria
The following criteria will be considered in the process of assessing applications:
- Impact and quality of the project and contribution to Council’s Community Strategic Plan, ‘Recreation Strategy and Action Plan 2023-32’ and grant objectives
- Provide sporting and/or recreation benefits to communities in the Inner West
- Ability to improve access, inclusion, diversity, and participation in sport and/or recreation activities with sustainable outcomes
- Applicant’s capacity to deliver the project, including relevant applicant experience, skills, and time
- Realistic budget, including all sources of project income and quotes where relevant
Brief eligibility criteria
Inner West Council provides grants for projects that have not yet commenced, and in limited cases people who have not yet acquitted a previous grant may be eligible to apply again. In addition:
- Council does fund Parents and Citizen organisations but does not fund projects for schools
- Council only provides support for capital projects in the Environment grant stream, and Council does not provide support for interstate or overseas travel
- Council does not fund political parties or their activities
- Recipients of the 2022 Recreation Grants are ineligible to apply
Application support
Applicants are encouraged to speak with Matthew Baigent, Coordinator Recreation on (02) 9392 5515 or recreation@innerwest.nsw.gov.au before applying. One-on-one support is available to provide grant applicants with advice on your project ideas.
How to apply
Council uses SmartyGrants administration software to manage its grants program. Applications must be submitted via the Inner West Council SmartyGrants webpage. Applications must meet the eligibility requirements, and no late applications will be accepted. Hard copy applications are not accepted.
Enquiries
For Active Inner West grant enquires please contact a Council officer on (02) 9392 5515.