Adelaide Hills Council offers annual grants to support local non-profit groups in establishing and implementing innovative projects that align with our Strategic Plan and benefit the community.
These grants provide financial assistance to help organisations carry out local initiatives that positively impact our community.
Thinking of applying for a community grant in 2025? View the case studies below or come along to one of three optional information sessions held in July 2025 - no bookings are required.
The information sessions will include advice on completing the online application form and an opportunity to discuss projects with staff.
Community and Recreation Facility Grants
Community and Recreation Facilities Grants help not-for-profit organisations in the Adelaide Hills Council area improve or upgrade facilities that support sport and recreation services. Funding is also available for planning documents like master plans or feasibility studies.
- Minor Facility Development up to $9,999
No matched funding required - Major Facility Development from $10,000 – $40,000
Funding must be matched (applicant contribution can include voluntary labour and/or donated materials) - Facility Planning up to $20,000
No matched funding required
Applications for the 2025-26 financial year are open 1–30 September 2025.
For more information, please contact Stacey Dutton, Sport & Recreation Officer.
Community Development Grants
Community Development Grants aim to assist local non-profit community groups and organisations to establish and undertake innovative projects or activities that result in great outcomes for our community.
Individual grants are awarded up to $3000.
Community groups can apply for grants to deliver local initiatives that make a positive contribution to the building of community capacity and wellbeing through:
- Community participation and connection
- Arts and place-making
- Youth
- Sustainability and biodiversity
- Diversity, inclusion and accessibility
- Aboriginal recognition and reconciliation
- Built heritage and history
- Tourism and township development
Applications for the 2025-26 financial year are open 1–30 September 2025.
For more information, please contact Stephanie Pongraz, Events and Grants Officer.
Community Owned Halls Building Insurance Grants
Building Insurance Contribution Grants are available to not-for-profit organisations managing community owned halls located within the Adelaide Hills Council area that are active in their provision of programs and services to our community.
The Grant is provided as outlined in the Community and Recreation Facilities Framework Policy.
The Grant Funding round will be widely communicated and will be based on an application being received at any time throughout the year via the application form which can be downloaded and sent to property@ahc.sa.gov.au with the required supporting documentation.
- Must be a ‘not for profit’ organisation managing a community owned hall in the Adelaide Hills Council Area, and;
- Must be providing a building or group of buildings that provide facilities for not-for-profit community groups to meet and undertake activities and that is owned by an association whose defined purpose is to provide services to the community of which there is no paid membership or purpose other than to provide/manage a facility on behalf of the community for the purpose of the community.
- Council owned community halls
- RSL halls
- Aquatic centres
- Golf courses
- Emergency services occupation
- Exclusive use facilities
- Other single use facilities that are not open to the general public for hire.
- The grant figure will not exceed $2000 per annum per eligible hall and will be administered by Council administration, based upon the budget allocation provided for in Councils Annual Business Plan for Community and Recreation Facilities (Community Owned Halls Insurance grants)
- All grants are administered in accordance with Council's Grant Giving Policy.
- Copies of the tax invoices for the Insurance Business Pack that the association receives from the insurer, Local Community Insurance Services (LCIS)
- Proof that the Invoice has been paid prior to applying for the grant. A copy of the associations bank statement or receipt of the bank transfer will be sufficient supporting evidence
- Bank account details will need to be supplied for electronic bank transfers
- Current program of activities being delivered at the hall.
Download and fill in the form. Applicants are guaranteed confidentiality and security when sending through the applications. The form is easy to use and assistance is available if required.
Grant contributions for successful applicants will be paid on a quarterly basis, in March, June, September, and December.
These guidelines were accurate at the time of publishing, and supersede all terms and conditions contained in any previous guidelines. For information, assistance or to discuss your application, please contact:
- (08) 8408 0400
- property@ahc.sa.gov.au
Local Heritage Grants
There are no local heritage grants available in 2024/25.
While the grant is not operational in the 2024/25 financial year eligible local heritage owners are encouraged to express their interest in the grant program in order to inform funding priorities for upcoming years.
For further information please contact the Planning Team on 8408 0400
Our district is renowned for its historic architecture and cultural heritage. The conservation of our built heritage will continue to create a district of outstanding places that meet the aspirations of the community.
For this reason, Council periodically establishes the Local Heritage Grant Fund (LHGF) to promote and support the conservation of Local listed buildings by reimbursing property owners with a proportion of the costs involved in retaining, reinforcing or reinstating the heritage significance of these places.
To be eligible under the LHGF, the grant application must relate to a Local Heritage Place listed in the Planning and Design Code (Part 11 - Adelaide Hills). Funding is provided for conservation works that will improve and enhance the heritage fabric of a place, such as:
- elements of the heritage place designated as of heritage value, or works that ensure the structural integrity of the building, or
- reinstatement of lost elements or fabric of the building where there is physical or archival evidence, such as historical photos or drawings, or remnant site fabric of elements. (Conjectural works will not generally be supported except where no evidence exists and a heritage consultant is engaged to achieve an authentic and appropriate outcome agreed with Council heritage advisors).
Minor Grants
Council provides minor grants to help deliver once-off, low-level support outside of other grant funding programs, for projects that benefit the community and align with Council's Strategic Plan.
The amount available under this program is 50% of the project cost, to a maximum of $300.
Minor Grant funds will be released in two allocations being for the January to June and July to December periods. Grants will be available until the allocated budget is exhausted. Groups may be awarded a minor grant every second year.
Minor Grant applications are open for 2025-26.
For more information, please contact Stephanie Pongraz, Events and Grants Officer.
Youth Incentive Grants
Council provides individual Youth Incentive Grants to assist young residents to participate in sporting, cultural, or civic participation activities.
Youth Incentive Grant funds will be released in two allocations being for the January to June and July to December periods. Grants will be available until the allocated budget is exhausted.
Youth Incentive Grant applications are open for 2025-26.
For more information, please contact Stephanie Pongraz, Events and Grants Officer.
Applicants may apply for a Youth Incentive Grant of $100 for individuals to attend representative activities. These may include sporting, cultural, or civic participation endeavours.
Grants will be limited to a single application per applicant per calendar year.
Grant funds will be released in two allocations being for the January to June and July to December periods. Grants will be available until the allocated budget is exhausted.
To apply for a Youth Incentive Grant applicants must complete an online Application Form available on the Adelaide Hills Council website.
Applicants must have completed the application form in full. Incomplete applications may not be accepted.
- Any young person aged under 25 who lives in the Adelaide Hills Council district is welcome to apply
- Youth Incentive Grants are only available to individuals. Team applications cannot be accepted
- Youth Incentive Grants will provide applicants with support for a single event or activity only
Applications must include the following details:
- The activity that they are requiring support for (name of the event, date, and location)
- Applicant’s name and residential address
- Bank account details (BSB, account number, account name) that you wish the grant to be paid into if your application is successful
- Applicants must include evidence of their selection or invitation to the event. This can be a letter or email of the governing body of the event
Grant funding will not be provided for:
- Commercial or party-political activities
- Religious activities
- The reimbursement of funds already spent prior to receiving approval (applicants cannot seek funds retrospectively)
- Services that form part of regular compulsory school curriculum activities. This grant cannot be used for school or tertiary study costs
- Activities for the purpose of general fundraising or sponsorship.
We ask that the young person applying provide us with a brief summary (approx. 150 words) about the activity that they are participating in and how the Youth Incentive Grant will assist them.
Useful Links and Downloads
Community Hall Support
Implementation of the Community and Recreation Facilities Framework commenced on 1 July 2023. This page provides more details on what the new Management Services Agreements mean for each hall.