Applications are open for Leader Local Grants 2019

Do you have a bright idea that will benefit your community? Leader is once again giving away $1000 grants to bring small but important grassroots projects to life. Here’s how to get on board.

Jells Park Primary School won a grant for their ‘Pallets to Plants’ garden project. Picture: Steve Tanner.

Do you have a bright idea that will benefit your community?

Leader is once again giving away grants to help bring small but important grassroots projects to life.

It could be a school garden, equipment for a sports club or a street library for a bustling laneway — whatever you think your community needs.

Submit your Leader Local Grants ideas online to go into the running for $1000 to help make your dream a reality.

SCROLL DOWN TO FIND OUT HOW TO APPLY FOR A GRANT

Dandenong Cat Rescue got another life thanks to a grant. Here’s volunteer Nicole Tharle with her two foster kittens Ripley and Honey.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

■ Submit your community project idea online at leaderlocalgrants.com.au

■ Applications are now open and close on May 31

■ The program is available for small projects that are not-for-profit in nature and cost a maximum of $5000 in total

■ Projects must offer a service to a specific local community and must be submitted for the Leader community newspaper where the entrant, school or community group is based

■ Readers will be able to vote for their favourite community project in June

Armadale Early Learning Centre got a grant to build a music wall, and Clancy, Sosuke, Olivia and Grace were thrilled. Picture: Josie Hayden

A judging panel will shortlist finalists for each Leader masthead and readers have the chance to vote for their favourite project in their area.

The pitch with the most votes in each region will win a $1000 Leader Local Grant.

A total of 26 grants will be awarded.

Last year’s winners included schools set to create their own garden or veggie patch, cat rescue and desexing schemes, new footballs for a junior footy club and bikes for a school Bike Ed program.

Leader Local Grants is presented by the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and sponsored by smoothfm 91.5 and The Langham Melbourne.