Grants of up to $10,000 are now available for South Australian not-for-profit organisations looking to improve community participation, social and emotional wellbeing, and quality of life for people living and working in South Australia.

The grants can help community organisations across South Australia, including Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, to grow their programs, projects and facilities in ways that reduce social isolation and build community wellbeing among communities experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage.

The grants can be used in a range of ways, including:

• minor upgrades to infrastructure such as kitchens or bathrooms, communal facilities and resources to encourage participation especially in regional and remote areas
• purchasing materials that enable, encourage or increase participation in community activities
• purchasing equipment to improve a service or turn a facility into a safe space for all community members.

Previous successful applicants have included the Heart & Soul Community Group to install an electric pallet jack to help them deliver food supplies to those in need, Surf Life Saving SA for an aquatics program to help Ukrainian refugees settle into life in SA, and Yarredi Services to upgrade the kitchen as well as painting, tiling and floor coverings in their community program delivery space, using trauma informed design principles.

Ruth Ambler, Executive Director of DHS Social Investment and Support, says other examples of successful applications include upgrades to bathrooms, establishing community gardens, installing access ramps or air conditioning to community spaces or upgrading furniture to include more shared and inclusive spaces in community meeting places.

“We know that more and more people are relying on the services provided by community organisations to connect with others in their community and deal with ever-rising cost pressures. These grants are aimed at giving those organisations an opportunity to help more people in better ways,” she says.

The Grants SA 2022-2023 Minor Round is open now, with applications closing at 3:00 pm on Thursday 25 May 2023.

Funding guidelines and information on how to submit applications are available at dhs.sa.gov.au/grants-sa.