Building Community

We’re here to help you build your community; connection is more important now than ever.

The objective of this grant program is to create opportunities for the whole community to come together as a means of enhancing community connection, strengthening social capital and encouraging community to repair and rebuild itself from the pandemic.

Expressions of interest will be sought related to the streams of community connection, arts and culture, Aboriginal communities and environment. This will help us to understand needs and opportunities related to these streams, across metropolitan and regional Western Australia, and then work with grant applicants to develop impactful projects and invite applications when they have the best chance of success.

Grant applications must seek to achieve one or more of the outcomes outlined below.

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Outcomes focus

  1. Community is connected through local initiatives that strengthen wellbeing, promote participation and volunteering, and encourage re-connection after a period of distancing and isolation.

  2. Marginalised, minority and disadvantaged groups at risk of experiencing prolonged impacts of social isolation and discrimination are actively included in community.

  3. Aboriginal people retain and strengthen connection to country, identity and culture. 

Submit an Expression of Interest

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) will be open on 20 July 2020. If you have a time sensitive proposal, we encourage you to submit an EOI as soon as they open.

Our team will be reviewing EOIs on a monthly basis to understand the emergent needs and opportunities aligned to the outcome areas of this grant program.

Time sensitive projects (e.g. events with a set delivery date) may be progressed through a fast-tracked application and assessment process.  

For other projects, we may take more time to work with you to review and/or develop the idea taking into consideration other projects proposed for your region or key themes emerging from the EOI process. Following this process, we will contact you to give feedback and discuss next steps which may include a formal application.

To view the implementation approach for these grant programs, including indicative budget allocations and timings, click here. 

Please call us to discuss your idea and how it aligns with the program outcomes and criteria before submitting an EOI. Please register here for our mailing list to stay up to date on detail and timings.

Building Community - Who can be supported?

Not-for-profit organisations and local government authorities.

Building Community - What can be supported?

To be eligible for Lotterywest support a grant request must be:

  • for charitable or benevolent purposes with outcomes that align with one of our COVID-19 Relief Fund streams. 
  • directly related to your organisation’s purpose. Quick tip: You can check the ‘objects’ or ‘purpose’ in your organisation’s constitution or rules
  • taking place in WA, or be of direct benefit to the WA community

The following can be supported through this funding stream:

  • Specific, time-limited interventions which:
  • strengthen community wellbeing, mitigate the long-term impacts of social isolation, and provide support to those experiencing hardship; and/or
  • provide increased opportunities to participate in community activities including through volunteering; and/or
  • work to actively include marginalised, minority and disadvantaged groups in the WA community’ and/or
  • assist Aboriginal people retain and strengthen connection to Country, identity and culture
Building Community - What won't be supported?
  • On-going operational costs
  • Projects which don’t align directly with program outcomes
  • Ongoing initiatives or programs
  • Initiatives fully funded by others or which are the core responsibilities of other government departments
  • Contingency costs
Building Community - What are some example projects that might be funded?

This program could involve things such as:

  • Support for a local environmental group to implement a digital volunteer recruitment campaign
  • Support for a local arts-based community development program e.g. a sculpture trail with connections to place and environment
  • Support for a performing arts organisation to deliver a community engagement program in regional communities to encourage connection through theatre
  • Support for a program to be delivered in regional and remote Aboriginal communities to facilitate sharing of stories and cultural practice through digital technology

Call us to talk about your idea. 

Building Community - Who are our priority communities?
  • Young people
  • Older people
  • People with disability
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse communities 
  • Aboriginal Communities and people
  • Regional and remote communities
  • People seeking volunteer and participation opportunities to reconnect with community  
Building Community - What are expected outcomes for this grant program?
  • Community is connected through local initiatives that strengthen community wellbeing and encourage people to reconnect after a period of social distancing
  • Increased opportunities to participate in community activities including through volunteering
  • Marginalised, minority and disadvantaged groups at risk of experiencing prolonged impacts of social isolation and discrimination are actively included in community
  • Aboriginal people retain and strengthen connection to Country, identity and culture
Building Community - How much can I apply for and how do I apply?

We accept applications from $3,000 upwards and EOIs are available through our website. The limit for unincorporated groups or organisations not GST registered is a combined total of up to $15,000 for each financial year.

Building Community - What are the indicators of change for this grant program?
  • Reduced isolation/loneliness
  • Increased sense of community connection and belonging
  • Increased volunteerism
  • Reduced discrimination (or avoided increases)
Building Community - What are the assessment criteria for this grant stream?

The assessment criteria are currently under development and will be provided as soon as they become available.