Programs and initiatives at a local community level that support members of the Southern Highlands community to prosper.  They support programs across the wide community spectrum including health and wellbeing, education, arts, families, aged, youth, environment and first nations people and culture.

The 2025 SHCF Grants Program will open on July 1^stand close on August 31^st.

The total granting pool for 2025 is $100,000 dollars. The Grants Committee will consider applications for grants of $1,000 - $5,000, $5,000 - $10,000 up to a maximum of $25,000 (in special circumstances) from eligible organisations with successful applicants notified in early October.

In assessing funding opportunities/partnerships we look for the following:

• Strong local leadership
• Organisational health-good governance and accountability, effective operational systems, and financial viability
• Demonstrated need for the program funding is sought-important to the southern highlands community and is not already being addressed by other organisations (ie not replicating an existing service or program)
• Strategic relevance-the approach is a logical and practical response to the local context and issue and there is a focus on partnerships
• Outcomes-clear articulation of what will be different because of the grant.

If you are considering applying for an SHCF grant, there are several eligibility requirements to note:

• The geographical focus of the programs and projects must be Wingecarribee LGA.
• Organisations seeking funding must be established with a management or board structure, relevant registration, registered bank account and the ability to report on impact and outcomes of the grant. Supporting documentation to demonstrate this is required as part of the application.
• We do not fund organisations in consecutive years (except in pre-agreed circumstances such as a multi-year partnership) with priority given to applicants who have not received an SHCF grant in the past.

They do not fund:

• Any initiatives outside the Southern Highlands Wingecarribee LGA
• Activities that are politically focussed or are involved in proselytising
• Individuals
• DGR 2 organisations
• Programs or organisations that have been established for non-charitable purposes
• Membership based organisations where activities only benefit their members
• We do not fund organisations on consecutive years (except in pre-agreed circumstances) with priority given to applicants who have not received an SHCF grant in the past.

• Phone: 0401 004 013
• Email: admin@shcf.com.au