Community Grants Program

Central Coast Council’s Community Grants program recognises the critical role Grants play in strengthening our community by supporting local community groups and organisations to deliver worthwhile projects, programs, and events to the community.

Council’s 2025-26 Community Grants Program include:

• Community Development Grant Program – A program dedicated to supporting community organisations to implement specific projects and activities that provide community outcomes and enhance the quality of life of residents of the Central Coast as well as strengthening their ability to deliver projects and services that respond to the needs of the community. This program opens 1 June 2025 and closes 30 June 2025, up to $20,000 per application with a total annual program allocation of $300,000. 
• Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program – A program which aims to support local organisations to deliver community events and activities that activate spaces and places to complement activity around town centres, foreshores, lakes and green spaces for the community and visitors. This program opens 1 June 2025 and closes 30 June 2025, up to $20,000 per application with a total annual program allocation of $300,000. 
• Community Support Grant Program - Is a program aimed to support the community to deliver activities which require a small amount of funding and/or in-kind support. This is a small grant program, open all year round and assessed monthly, up to $5,000 per application and/or in-kind support with a total available annual program allocation of $300,000. 

All programs are time limited and would cover activities that are able to be completed within an eighteen (18) month timeframe from notification of funds being allocated.

Council Community Grants Information Sessions

Council is running four FREE information sessions in April 2025, for community members to be guided on the community grants program with information on guidelines, eligibility, application process and timeframes.

For more information and to register visit the Central Coast Council Events Page.

Grant Writing Workshops

Council is running two FREE independently facilitated workshops in May 2025, to help guide you on how to develop your project plan and funding application to increase your chance of success.

For more information and to register visit the Central Coast Council Events Page.

Council Community Grants Q&A Session

Council is running two FREE Q&A sessions in June 2025, for community members to be able to ask the Council Grants Officer any final questions before submitting their grant applications.

For more information and to register visit the Central Coast Council Events Page. 

Keep an eye out on this page or email grants@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au to join the grants email list to stay up to date on key program information and dates.
 

Other Grant Information

Chain Valley Colliery Community Funding Program

The Chain Valley Colliery Funding program has been established as a joint initiative between Delta Coal (formerly Lake Coal Pty Ltd), Central Coast Council and the Communities of Summerland Point, Gwandalan, Chain Valley Bay and Mannering Park to provide funding for not-for-profit organisation to deliver projects that improve community infrastructure and services.

On 23 December 2013, Delta Coal Pty Ltd (LCPL) was granted development consent to extract up to 2.1 million tonnes of coal per calendar year until 31 December 2027. As a condition of consent LCPL and Council have developed a Voluntary Planning Agreement (CPA) that requires $0.035 for each tonne of coal produced to be allocated as a community funding program to develop community capacity within the suburbs of Summerland Point, Gwandalan, Chain Valley Bay and Mannering Park.

The 2025 funding program is scheduled to open and close August 2025.  Please click here for more information.

Protection of the Environment Trust Grant

Individuals or community groups interested in undertaking environmentally based projects are encouraged to apply for funding under the Protection of the Environment Trust (POET). Updates on this program will be advertised and posted on this website. Please click here for more information.

The Façade Improvement Support Program

The Façade Improvement Support Program is a pilot program to provide financial assistance to businesses and commercial property owners located in the Gosford, Wyong, The Entrance and Toukley town centres to improve their building facades and accessibility to their premises. The 2024 funding program opens 1 September 2024 and closes 30 September 2024. Please click here for more information.

ClubGRANTS

The ClubGRANTS scheme in the Central Coast’s Local Government Area is funded by local registered clubs to provide community support through Local Committee. The 2025 ClubGRANTS Scheme opens 1 February 2025 and closes 31 May 2025, Please click here for more information. 

All your grants, one searchable platform

The Central Coast Council Grant Finder portal is a comprehensive list of all grant and funding opportunities available for Central Coast businesses, community groups, not-for-profits and individuals.