Placemaking Grants 2025/2026

Northern Beaches Council is offering grants to help local businesses, community groups and organisations bring life to our town and village centres.

Placemaking, through place activation, is creating quality places that people want to live, work and play by increasing vibrancy and contributing to a safe and inclusive community. It is a collaborative process that has everyone’s wellbeing in mind. Successful placemaking relies on the inclusion and active participation of a wide range of community stakeholders – through every aspect of the process, from design, planning and the final delivery.

This program encourages the community to take an active role in the direction of their town and village centres, and deliver enhanced economic, social, environmental and/or cultural benefits to the Northern Beaches community.

Grant recipients can use the funding for one-off costs like materials or equipment hire to run events, install art, or create welcoming public spaces. These are once-off grants designed to support specific activations that boost vibrancy and connection in your community.

Larger amounts may be considered on a case-by-case basis. All grants may be partially or fully funded depending on panel assessment.

Before completing the application form, you should have read and thoroughly reviewed the Program Guidelines including the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.

Organisations must:

• Not owe any outstanding rates or debts to Council.
• Be up-to-date or have completed and adequately acquitted any previous grant/sponsorship funding from Northern Beaches Council.
• Be one of the following:
  - Incorporated
  - Not for profit organisation
  - Commercial businesses or individual with an ABN
• Acknowledge if the activation is for the purpose of fundraising either for itself, or a third party, further information is in the FAQ section of the guidelines.
• Have sought permission from the building/site owner for the project to proceed in principle.

Activations must:

• Be open to the public to attend and/or participate.
• Be held in town and village centres within the Northern Beaches LGA and directly support the businesses in the area.

For further eligibility requirements, please refer to Placemaking Grant Guidelines

Please reach out to Council's Place team at places@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au if you have any further questions.  

Applicant Details
We welcome applications from individuals, groups, and encourage collaborations or project partnerships with other organisations.

Your project can include partner organisations—such as a host, supporter or advisor. If you have more than one partner, upload their details under Supporting Materials.

Please outline how you intend to deliver your idea.

Council supports activities that help improve our community. These align with the Community Strategic Plan, which sets the long-term vision for the Northern Beaches.
The Community Strategic Plan is Council’s roadmap for building a stronger, more connected, and sustainable Northern Beaches.

Your project doesn’t need to meet every goal, but please choose at least one goal from the list below that your idea supports.

Please provide detailed and accurate budget information.

• List all sources of income for your project. This grant is one source. Others might include your organisation’s own funds, other grants, donations or sponsorships.
• Include quotes. For any expense over $1,000, a quote is required. Without it, your project may score lower for 'Value for Money'.
• If your project involves Council spaces (e.g. parks or venues), include any hire fees in your budget. Check Council’s Fees and Charges for costs.
• Break down your budget into clear, realistic items so the panel can see how you plan to spend the grant and any other funds.

See the Guidelines and FAQ for more information on how to complete the Budget tables.

If you have a detailed excel budget you may like to upload this in the 'Supporting Materials' section.

Third Party fundraising is where, through this project, your organisation intends to raise funds for another organisation or group of organisations.
Please refer to the Placemaking Grant Guidelines for eligibility and clarification. 

You are not required to complete any of these forms in order to apply for grant funding, however, any upfront information you can provide will help the panel to assess your application.

If you are successful in receiving a funding offer, you will not be able to accept the funding until all approvals and evidence of public liability insurance are in place.

I declare that all information provided as part of this application including the attachments is true and correct, and that I am authorised to submit this application to Northern Beaches Council's Placemaking Grant Program on behalf of the applicant organisation.

I understand that the information contained within this application may be disclosed to other parties in order to undertake the assessment process or in the promotion of the Placemaking Grants Program.

Declaring conflicts of interest does not generally impact your eligibility to receive grant funding under the Placemaking Grants program.

The assessment panel for these grants is made up of Council staff. Given the confidential nature of the assessment panel, applicants will not generally be aware if they have a perceived conflict of interest with a panellist. The assessment panel and individuals will be required to declare any perceived or actual conflicts of interest with grant applicants.

For transparency and probity, it is important these declarations are recorded. Examples of actual or perceived conflicts of interest may include:

• Assessors have been invited to functions by your organisation
• Your organisation (or key members) have met with a Assessors regarding funding for this project
• Assessors or their families are directly involved with your organisation

Receipt of your application (including a copy of submitted details) will be acknowledged by automated email. If you have not received this after submitting, please contact
Places@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au.