Alexandrina Council’s Community Wellbeing Grant program provides financial support for a variety of wellbeing related projects across the region, contributing towards achieving the objectives outlined in Better Together, A Plan for The Future, Council’s Community Wellbeing Action Plan 2022-26. Alexandrina Council recognises the importance of supporting our community to prioritise their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around them. This grant program aims to assist the community in delivering projects that benefit all sectors of the Alexandrina community and enhance the social, physical, psychological and emotional health and wellbeing of its members.
Applications were accepted from 12 noon on Monday 4 May until 3pm on Monday 15 June 2026 and have now closed.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of August 2026.
What type of activities will be funded?
Council is seeking to fund community-led projects that generate wellbeing benefits for members of the Alexandrina community and contribute towards meeting the needs of one or more of the following priority populations.
- Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people
- Children and families
- People living with a disability
- First Nations people
- LGBTQI+ people
- Older people
- Younger people.
Projects should help achieve the following objectives identified in Council's Community Wellbeing Action Plan:
- Encourage an active and healthy community
- Foster a connected and inclusive community
- Develop a vibrant and artistic community
- Enrich our places and spaces
Applicants should refer to Council's Community Wellbeing Action Plan for more information about our priorities for each of the objectives identified above.
Please note: A separate application pathway exists for applicants to Council's "Vibrant and Artistic" stream, providing support for arts and culture focussed projects. Please refer to the infographic below for guidance on the types of project that may be supported under each stream. Applicants for funding for arts and culture focussed projects should refer to the "Vibrant and Artistic" Community Wellbeing Grant guidelines and complete the "Vibrant and Artistic" Community Wellbeing Grant application form via the link below.
Project suggestions
See some project examples in the graphic below for each funding stream and which grant to apply for. More information can be found in the Grant Guidelines.
Guidelines
Potential applicants are encouraged to read the Grant Guidelines to get an understanding about the grant eligibility, application and assessment process, and important information.
Community Wellbeing Grant Guidelines
Community Wellbeing Grant Guidelines - Vibrant and Artistic
How to apply
Potential applicants to the "Vibrant and Artistic" stream of Council's Community Wellbeing Grant are required to discuss their proposal with Council's Arts and Cultural Development Officer on 8555 7000 before commencing an application, or their application will be deemed ineligible.
Applicants to all other streams are strongly encouraged to contact Council’s Grants Officer or Community Development Officers on 8555 7000 to discuss their proposal as well as read the grant guidelines before commencing the application process.
Applications must be made by completing the online Community Wellbeing Grant Application Form, or "Vibrant and Artistic" Community Wellbeing Grant Application Form where relevant, accessed via the SmartyGrants website linked below.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of August 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not-for-profit incorporated community groups or legal entities with comparable status, as well as unincorporated not-for-profit community groups auspiced by an appropriate incorporated entity. Schools and kindergartens are also eligible to apply.
Individual artists with an ABN are also eligible to apply for the "Vibrant and Artistic" stream of Council's Community Wellbeing Grant.
For the "Vibrant and Artistic" stream of Council's Community Wellbeing Grant, grants of up to $5,000 are available for eligible entities.
For all other streams, grants of up to $5,000 are available for eligible entities, except for applications just for equipment purchases or community events*, when a maximum of $2,500 applies.
The total funding pool allocated to the Community Wellbeing Grant program in 2026-27 is $70,000, subject to Council's adoption of the Annual Community Plan 2026/27. This includes $20,000 to support applicants through the "Vibrant and Artistic" stream.
*Community events must have expected attendance of 500 people to be eligible for funding through the Community Wellbeing Grant program.
Yes, a minimum funding request of $1,000 applies to all applications.
Funded projects must be completed by 31 December 2027. Recipients must sign a Grant Funding Agreement prior to funds being processed which will outline the full terms and conditions of funding. A Grant Evaluation and Acquittal Report must be completed within two months of project completion. Non-compliance may affect eligibility for future grant funding.
SmartyGrants has a comprehensive online Help Guide for Applicants which should assist with most queries regarding the application process. If you’re still having difficulty, please call Council’s Grants Officer for further assistance on (08) 8555 7000.
You do not need to have all permits or approvals in place at the time of application, although your application will be strengthened if you do. However, applicants must identify any approvals that may be required for their project and be able to provide evidence that approvals have been obtained, or that approval is not required, before grant funding is released.
Depending on the nature of your project, approvals may include:
- Event permits for public events
- Road closure or traffic management approvals
- Landowner consent for use of land or facilities
- Development approval for building or facility upgrades or public art installations
- Compliance with safety, disability access or environmental regulations
Applicants are responsible for identifying and obtaining all relevant approvals before commencing funded activities, and for ensuring all legislative and regulatory requirements are met.
If development approval is required, applications must be submitted through the PlanSA portal. In some cases, development assessment fees paid to Council may be refunded or waived in line with Alexandrina Council’s Development Assessment Fee Waiver and Refund Policy. Applicants are encouraged to discuss approval requirements with Council early in the planning stage.
Grant offers may be made subject to special conditions, including the requirement to obtain approvals by 31 May 2027. If required approvals are delayed, refused, or cannot be met by this date, the funding offer will lapse. Grant recipients must notify Council as soon as circumstances arise that may affect their ability to meet funding conditions or project timelines.