The support of local community groups and charities plays an important role in building positive relationships between The Star and the places we call home.
The Star Community Grants Program provides support to projects and initiatives that have a positive and lasting impact on our city. It provides a mechanism to fund capital projects, events and activities through a consistent, fair and transparent process to ensure a range of community groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations are supported.
The Community Grants Program will be funded through The Star’s Found Monies (standing charity donation boxes, “wishing well” fountains, or the proceeds of lost property sales) to guarantee that this money collected goes back into the community where it is most needed.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The Star Sydney will consider providing up to $10,000 of funding for capital projects, events or activities that meet these requirements:
- Individuals planning an activity, event or undertaking a capital project for the benefit of the community (within the 2007 and 2009 postcode areas); or
- Established community groups and not for profit organisations planning an activity, event or undertaking a capital project for the benefit of the community (within the 2007 and 2009 postcode areas); or
- Workplaces or businesses that are planning an activity, event or undertaking a capital project that supports the local community (within the 2007 and 2009 postcode areas); and
- Should be a legal entity with an ABN number, incorporated association or registered charity.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Each application received will be assessed on these criteria:
- Capital project, event or activity located within the local area and must be conducted within the next 12 months;
- Clearly identifies and addresses community involvement;
- Directly benefits or builds capacity within the community;
- Detailed description of the event, activity or capital project including timeframes and an itemised budget;
- Assessment of past grants if applicable; and
- Only one successful application per organisation and project per financial year.
All applications must be submitted through our online application form to be considered valid.
Yes, you are eligible to apply. However first time applicants will be given priority.
The postcode you should enter should be the location of the target groups for your project that you are seeking to have funding for, not your organisation's office address.
Non-financial support such as prizes for charity and not-for-profit raffles and fundraisers can be applied for at any time via community@star.com.au Please note that not every request for raffle and fundraising prizes can be accommodated and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
You will receive an acknowledgement email from The Star confirming that your application has been received.
Grant applications are reviewed every quarter in a calendar year – in March, June, September, and December. Depending on the number of applications under review this may take up to four weeks.
Applications will be assessed based on alignment with The Star eligibility and selection criteria. These assessments are then considered by the selection panel consisting of The Star’s senior management.
Grant recipients will be receiving a confirmation that includes a timeframe of the review process.
Please note that The Star cannot fund all eligible applicants as part of the Community Grant program. All applicants will be notified by email or mail (where no email address is given) of the assessment outcome.
If successful, organisations need to spend the funding within 12 months of receiving the grant.
Successful applicants must sign a grant agreement before payment is made. The grant agreement covers:
- - use of funds for purposes outlined in the agreement only;
- - communications and promotions requirements such as signage and social media posts;
- - reporting requirement;
- - release The Star from any liability the organisation may incur in relation to the project; and
- - the provision of a summary or report of the use of funds after the event or purpose of activity has been completed.
Grant recipients must report on their project or activity as detailed in their grant agreement, which will specify a timeframe for doing so. All successful projects will need to acknowledge the support of The Star through media release and/or social media posts, details of which will be specified in the grant agreement.
If you need help with your grant application, please email community@star.com.au