Place and industry grants

Promotes local neighbourhoods, connects businesses to opportunities, grows skills and knowledge and helps advocate on key issues.

Grants team

We'd like to help you choose the right grant and provide tips for a successful application.

: 02 9265 9333
: [email protected]

Applications have now closed

Next application round opens 2021. There is 1 grant round a year that opens in February.

This year’s grant round

Applications opened: 5 February 2020
Applications closed: 9 March 2020
Project timeframe: 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021
Recommendations to Council: 29 June 2020

Councillors discuss and assess applications during recommendations to Council.

About this program

Our place and industry grants seek to promote local neighbourhoods, connect businesses to opportunities, grow business skills and knowledge and help businesses to effectively advocate on key issues.

These grants specifically support local economic development initiatives so Sydney businesses can be more productive and competitive in the global marketplace.

- Promote local economies for the benefit of businesses
- Connect business to opportunities
- Grow business skills and capacity
- Advocate on key issues on behalf of local business
Projects can contribute to one or more of these outcomes:
- increased awareness of unique local precinct offerings and experiences
- increased footfall and measurable patronage and spend in local retail precincts
- improved access to industry/sector-specific information, upskilling and networking opportunities for local businesses
- strengthened advocacy by local chambers of commerce and precinct associations on behalf of their members
The types of projects funded under this category assist local businesses to:
- increase awareness of local business offerings and experiences
- increase footfall, patrons and spending in local retail precincts
- improve access to industry information, upskilling and networking opportunities for local businesses
- strengthen advocacy by local chambers of commerce and precinct associations.
The specific assessment criteria for this category include:
- evidence of the need to be addressed within the local business community
- capacity and experience of the applicant to undertake the activities, including secured partnerships, marketing/promotional plans and any required approvals
- commitment, capacity and plans to continue the activities without further city support
- understanding of best practice approaches to addressing the need identified
- commitment and capacity to match the cash investment of the grant
- provision of required supporting documents.

Funding available

Funding is available for a 1 or 2-year program. Funding awarded is commensurate with the estimated economic benefits of the project and considered within the total pool of available funds.

We will match cash with:

in-kind contributions such as donated supplies, materials or services
volunteering time such as labour, set up and pack down
meeting time to identify, plan and implement projects
direct cash input to the project through donations or income generated
funds raised through other sources.

Eligibility

- Business and organisations that don’t align with those listed in the eligibility criteria
- Projects located outside our area
- Projects that directly contravene the eligibility and ethics framework or our existing policies
- Costs associated with ‘business as usual’ activities, permanent staffing or ongoing operational costs
- Purchase of buildings
- Relocation of business or routine maintenance
- Internal shop fittings including display shelves and painting
- Properties owned by employees of the City of Sydney or other government agencies
- Projects that rely on future recurrent funding.

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How to apply

Application forms are available once the grant round opens.

We encourage you to speak with us or make an appointment for a one-on-one information session before applying.

Please read our grants and sponsorship guidelines for more information about program outcomes and eligibility.

PoliciesGrants and sponsorship policyPublished 1 December 2017

Council governance & administrationGrants and sponsorship program guidelinesPublished 1 July 2020

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Grants & sponsorships

Place and industry grants

Grants team

Applications have now closed

This year’s grant round

About this program

Current funding priorities

Expected project outcomes

Assessment criteria

Further reading

Funding available

Eligibility

Eligible for funding

Not eligible for funding

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How to apply