Central Coast Council hosted an afternoon tea on Tuesday 9 December to recognise 53 local groups recently awarded funding through the annual Community Grants Program.
The program plays a vital role in building a stronger, more connected community by enabling local organisations to bring meaningful projects and events to life.
Council’s Community Grants Program comprises three key streams:
• Community Development Grant Program
• Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program
• Community Support Grant Program
The 53 local groups recognised at the event received funding through the 2025-26 Community Development and Community Events and Place Activation streams. The Community Support Grant Program remains open all year, with applications assessed monthly and successful recipients acknowledged throughout the year.
Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said the Community Grants Program plays an important role in fostering inclusion, celebrating local identity and encouraging collaboration across the region.
“These grants give local organisations the support they need to deliver valuable programs and initiatives,” Mayor McKinna said.
“By investing in their work, we are improving the quality of life for our community today and helping to build a stronger, more resilient Central Coast for the future.”
Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said Council provided support to local groups in the grant application process through two grant writing workshops and four grant information sessions.
“A total of 115 applications were received and assessed, with 53 recommended for funding,” Ms Smith said.
“These successful projects stood out for their ability to deliver broad community benefits across the entire Central Coast, from fostering social connection to creating vibrant public spaces.”
Applications for the Community Development and Community Events and Place Activation programs will open again in June 2026.
Applicants are advised to look out for workshops in April, May and June to support the development of their application and discuss their proposal with Council’s grants officers prior to submission.
Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program 2025-26 recipients:
1. Central Coast Community FM Radio Association Incorporated
2. Wyong Golf Club Limited
3. The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team Incorporated
4. Central Coast Conservatorium of Music Limited
5. Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Incorporated
6. Central Coast Music and Arts Incorporated
7. New South Wales Rugby League Limited
8. Girrakool Blues Foundation Limited
9. Crestani Scholarships Limited
10. Peninsula Environment Group (PEG)
11. Words on the Waves
12. Vegan NSW Incorporated
13. Davistown Putt Putt Regatta & Wooden Boat Festival Incorporated
14. Global 360 Group Proprietary Limited
15. Berkeley Vale Pre-School Kindergarten Incorporated
16. Terrigal Trotters Incorporated
17. Sport Central Coast
18. Joanne Giles – 2026 Central Coast Chilli Festival
19. Carmen Lee Perrin – Stars Festival 2026
20. Gosford Showground Land Manager
21. 3P Performance Proprietary Limited
22. Central Coast Kids Day Out Incorporated
23. FunHaus Factory Incorporated
24. Davistown Progress Association Incorporated
25. 5 Lands Walk Incorporated
26. New South Wales Flying Disc Association Incorporated
Community Development Grant Program 2025-26 recipients:
1. Police Citizens Youth Clubs NSW Limited
2. Heartdancers
3. We Care Connect Limited
4. Camp Breakaway Incorporated
5. Happiness Habits Incorporated
6. The Trustee for the Mangrove Mountain Union Church 1914 Trust Incorporated
7. The Fathers Table Incorporated
8. The Skill Engineer Limited
9. Road Safety Education Limited
10. SparkCC Incorporated
11. Diamond Women Limited
12. CatholicCare Diocese of Broken Bay
13. Soroptimist International Brisbane Water Incorporated (auspice for Central Coast International Women’s Day Combined Committee)
14. Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee
15. Hooves2healing Limited
16. Community Environment Network Incorporated
17. Toukley Neighbourhood Centre Incorporated
18. One Direct Connect Limited
19. Kanwal Warnervale Rovers Soccer Club Incorporated
20. Fairhaven Services Limited
21. Zonta Club Central Coast Incorporated
22. Tiny Homes Foundation Limited
23. Central Coast Family Support Services Incorporated
24. Iris Foundation Australia Limited
25. FunHaus Factory Incorporated
26. Central Coast ARAFMI
27. The Lakes Surf Life Saving Club Limited