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Grants of up to $2,000 are available under this category to:
1. Assist existing local social enterprises to engage an external professional service that can assist with the ongoing operation and sustainability of the business (such as marketing, web design, and book-keeping)
2. Provide funding for existing not-for-profit organisations who are at the concept development stage of a social enterprise project and need assistance in the research, development and writing of a social enterprise business plan.
Project funds for business plans can be used to engage the services of a business planning consultant, or to fund the research activities and staff time associated in writing a business plan.
Social enterprise definition
(Back to top)For the purpose of this grant category, a social enterprise defined as:
A business that puts people and planet first. They trade like any other businesses but exist specifically to make the world a better place.
Social enterprises do three things:
- Have a social, cultural or environment purpose;
- Generate a substantial portion of their income from trade; and
- Invest profit and resources into their purpose so that public/community benefit outweighs private benefit.
Eligibility
(Back to top)Applications must be from an incorporated body or eligible social enterprise structure.
To be eligible for this grant you will need to provide at least one quote for the professional services you plan to use.
If using the grant funds to pay internal staff to undertake the business planning research and writing, you will need to clearly identify which staff positions will be undertaking the work and must include a clear breakdown of the relevant staff pay rate/s and the anticipated hours to be worked (both those funded by the grant and those to be paid from another source, if relevant).
Available funding
(Back to top)City of Parramatta Council will only fund one application over a calendar year, regardless of the number of applications received from an organisation.
Funding Limit
$2,000
Program timelines
(Back to top)This program is open all year round but assessed on a quarterly basis. Please see the below dates for when your application needs to be submitted to be considered in that quarter.
| Quarter | Date |
|---|---|
| Quarter 1 | Monday 1 September 2025 |
| Quarter 2 | Monday 3 November 2025 |
| Quarter 3 | Monday 2 February 2026 |
| Quarter 4 | Monday 27 April 2026 |
These grants can take up to 3 months from the assessment deadline before payments are distributed. To avoid disappointment, ensure your project is scheduled to start 3 months after the upcoming quarterly grants assessment deadline. Successful recipients in this category are required to:
- Show that funds will be spent within 6 months of receipt of funding.
- Acquit within 4 weeks of project completion.
Failure to acquit the grant will affect any future funding requests.
How to Apply
(Back to top)All applications for funding grants are completed online through SmartyGrants.
You only need to register once. If you previously applied via SmartyGrants you can use your existing password and login.
Contact us
(Back to top)You need to discuss your project before you submit your application. Contact our Social Investment Officer, Lucy Brotherton on 02 9806 5792 or lbrotherton@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
To find out more about funding opportunities, workshops, leadership development, forums, training and more in the Parramatta and Greater Western Sydney area, subscribe to Parramatta e-news.
If you have general grant questions, you can contact our Community Grants team on grants@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au or call 02 9806 5110.
