Funding objective
Council provides up to two per cent of the annual rates income to a budget for grants, donations, sponsorships and subsidies. To ensure that these funds are distributed in a rational way, eligibility, selection and evaluation criteria are required for the assessment and prioritisation of applications to be funded.
The funds allocated to local community groups, organisations and individuals are to assist in the provision of the activities and services that benefit the local community.
Funding categories
This program is divided into seven (7) categories to encourage and cater for a range of applications and activities:
- Category A - Community Grants: For one-off projects, programs or activities that benefit the wider Cockburn community.
- Category B - Cultural Grants: For events, projects, workshops and residencies that embody at least one of the diverse art and cultural interests of the Cockburn community.
- Category C - Sustainability Grants: For projects or activities that demonstrate Sustainability principles and themes for the benefit of the Cockburn community.
- Category D - Small Events Sponsorship: For small-scale neighbourhood events across Cockburn.
- Category E - Donations: Covers operating or ongoing expenses to assist the disadvantaged and/or vulnerable within the Cockburn community.
- Category F - Sponsorships: For financial contribution to a significant event, activity, service or endeavour to either a Group or Individual and, in return, the City receives public recognition for its contribution.
- Category G - Major and Minor Funding: For major funding proposals, minor funding and requests outside of established categories.
Funding guidelines and policy
Funding guidelines assist how the City responds to requests for financial assistance in line with the City’s Strategic Community Plan, and aim to optimise the use of Council funds to support community groups, organisations and individuals to deliver social, environmental and economic benefits.
The guidelines for each category outline the relevant selection criteria, evaluation and limitations of each funding category, and are to be utilised in conjunction with the associated Policy ‘Community Funding for Community Organisations and Individuals (Grants, Donations & Sponsorships).
Applicants for funding to be distributed from the Grants and Donations budget are required to apply and address the relevant criteria in one of the funding categories. Assessment and approval will be done according to the category and be done under the relevant delegated authority or recommendation by the Expenditure Review Committee to Council, and applicants cannot bypass these processes.
For funding guidelines specific to each category, please refer to the respective page. The full guidelines document and policy are provided below.
Category A - Community Grants
- Art of Living Foundation-International Day of Yoga Event-21 June, 2026-$1,308.88
- Ngaru Pou Cultural Arts Inc-Whanau Day-11 November, 2026-$5,000
- Historical Society of Cockburn-digitisation of key historical documents-$5,000
- The Hub 6163-backyard revitalisation project-$15,000.
Category B - Cultural Grants
- Benjamin Findlay, local deaf author. Launch of his picture book Super Deafingo-13 April, 2026-$1,600
- Friends of Manning Park Ridge-production of a booklet that highlights the natual and cultural significance of Manning Park-$2,818.18
- Melanie Maclou-for her sculpture Ocean Dancer: Crimson AlLure to be showcased at the SWELL Sculpture Festival and local artist talk-$5,000.
Category E - Donations
- YouthCARE-Hamilton Hill Network-to enable chaplains to support students and families across Cockburn schools-$10,250
- Rotary Club of Cockburn Inc-to support the operational costs of their work with the local community-$4,400
- Little Things for Tiny Tots Inc-for the provision of baby boxes for families experiencing hardship-$5,000
- Imagined Futures-a regional partnership, improving outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and complex social issues-$15,000
- South Lake Ottey Family and Neighbourhood Centre Inc-to support the operational costs of this community hub, providing social programs, emergency relief and co-located services-$15,000
- Black Swan Health-to support the delivery of the Street Doctor program at two locations in Cockburn-$20,000
- Constable Care Foundation Inc-to support the delivery of safety and harm prevention educaton to local children and young people-$17,000.
Category F - Sponsorships
- Curtin University-Curtin Ignition Program-$3,750
- Community Arts Network-Making Time Event 2026-$10,000
- Kiteboarding Australia-Wing and Kite Foil National Championships-$15,000
- Swimming WA Inc-2026 Open Water Series including Secondary School Championships-$15,000
- Southern Lions Rugby Union Football Club-2026 Junior 7's Rugby Competition-$15,000
- Ironside Dog Sports Inc-2026 National IGP Championships-$5,000.
Category G - Major and Minor Funding: Environmental Education for Schools Grants - $1,000
South Lake Primary School, South Coogee Primary School, Nature Adventures Homeschool Group, Spearwood Alternative School, Lakeland Senior High School, Emmanuel Catholic College, Perth Waldorf Association Inc.