Policy & planning changes

Your say on our updated grants policy and guidelines

We want to make applying fairer and easier.

Open for feedback

Let us know how useful the guidelines are and about support you need to apply for our grants.

Public consultation period to

Survey

5 minutes to complete

Talk to us

Attend an online information session

What we’re doing

We’re reviewing our grants policy and guidelines to make them easier to use and fairer for everyone.

Changes include longer application periods and consistent opening dates. We’ve simplified the structure and opened up eligibility for more organisations and projects. The guidelines have clearer procedures and assessment criteria, and we’re planning more support for you before and after applying. Our budget for grants remains the same. The new policy includes updates to our ethics framework and the guiding principles for how we manage grants.

Why we’re doing this

We review our grants policy every 4 years to align it with our current practices and strategies.

Feedback from past applicants told us applying could be simpler and clearer. These changes will:

  • make the ethics framework for all our activities consistent
  • strengthen our guiding principles for grants management
  • make it easier to understand what’s available and when to apply
  • give applicants more time and certainty to plan
  • provide better support and feedback
  • ensure funding is spread fairly across our communities.

What we’ve heard so far

We asked past applicants how we can improve these important programs.

They told us:

  • the structure was too complex and time-consuming
  • it was difficult to understand what activities are eligible for funding
  • more support and examples would help them prepare strong applications
  • longer application timeframes and consistent opening dates would make planning easier.

We’ve used this feedback to shape the updated draft policy and guidelines.

Draft grants guidelines 2026PDF · 1.67 MB · Last modified
Draft grants policy 2026PDF · 455.22 KB · Last modified

Major changes

The updated grants guidelines include:

  • clearer procedures and assessment criteria
  • fewer, broader, easier to navigate programs: creative, social and community, economic and environmental grants
  • accepting more types of projects. The new programs include:
    • support for upskilling
    • pilot projects
    • proposals that test new approaches
    • advocacy and research
    • support for artists to live in Sydney
    • support for cultural infrastructure.
    We want to support innovative and collaborative projects that help communities in the creative, environmental, social and economic areas.
  • consistent opening dates. Our main funding round will always open in late July, making it easier for people to plan their applications ahead of time. Our quick response grants, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collaboration fund and value in kind (non-monetary) programs will remain open all year. Our accommodation and empty property grants will still open as space becomes available.
  • longer application and notification timeframes for our main funding round. The timed programs will open for 6 weeks instead of 4. Decisions will be announced in November for projects starting the following January, giving applicants more time and assurance of funding for the coming year.
  • one application window for the main funding round each year will allow us to look at all the applications together, to make sure funding is shared fairly across different projects, community benefits and organisations.
  • more pre-application support including information sessions, case studies, tailored advice and more staff available. We’re planning more support materials about topics such as budgets, project plans and auspicing, where an official organisation applies on behalf of an unofficial group.

The updated policy:

  • includes a clear ethics framework that protects cultural and intellectual property, and excludes activities involving harmful practices
  • prioritises self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This ensures that our grants are culturally appropriate, responsive to community priorities and contribute to long-term social, cultural and economic benefits.
  • clarifies roles and responsibilities for applicants, assessors, councillors and our staff.

Our grants

Next steps

Your feedback will help us refine the policy and guidelines before reporting to Council in 2026.

How you can give feedback

Consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 2 March 2026.

We want to hear from people and organisations who have used, or may use, our grants to support community-led projects that make Sydney more creative, inclusive, sustainable and vibrant.

Let us know how useful the guidelines are and about support you need to apply.

  1. Complete our survey

    You’ll need to log in with a City of Sydney account to complete the survey. If you don’t have an account, it’s easy to create one.

  2. Email or post your feedback

    You can give your feedback by email to [email protected] or post to:

    Project Officer, City Engagement
    City of Sydney
    Level 7, 456 Kent Street
    Sydney NSW 2000

  3. Attend an online information session

    Thursday 12 February 12:30pm to 1pm.

    Register now

Other ways you can give feedback

Survey

Complete our short survey

It will take about 5 minutes and will help us shape the policy and guidelines
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