Grants support local community projects

Published on 30 September 2025

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Sixteen community groups and organisations have shared in $50,000 funding in the latest round of Armidale Regional Council’s (ARC) Community Grants Program, and two village projects have received support via the first round of Village Grants funding.

ARC’s Community Grants Program supports groups and services within our local government area to address identified community needs, while promoting social inclusion and community connections.

The latest grant rounds closed on 22 August 2025.

According to Mayor Sam Coupland, each grant will benefit community members in our region.

“The Community and Village Grants Programs empower local groups to continue the good work they do, contributing to building stronger, more connected communities," said Mayor Coupland.

 "Council is proud to support grassroots organisations through this funding as they play a vital role in enriching the social, cultural, and recreational fabric of our region. 

"Even a small grant can be enough to get a great project off the ground!”

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on 22 October, Council approved the distribution of $50,000 of the total $100,000 budgeted under the 2025/26 Community Grants program to the following groups:

  • Guyra United Soccer, for Summer Twilight Soccer - $1,500
  • New England MS Branch (formerly known as Armidale District MS Branch), for New England MS Branch support activities for People Living with Multiple Sclerosis in the New England Region - $2,000
  • Lyambay Aboriginal Dance Group, for Schools Spectacular - $2,000
  • Northern NSW Helicopter Rescue Service Ltd, for Supporting Local Volunteers with Technology - $1,468
  • Mosaic Multicultural Connections, for Multicultural Women's Garden Club - $2,000
  • Armidale Touch Association, for Northern Eagles Senior Comp Day - $1,800
  • Guyra Neighbourhood Centre, for Community Cooked Lunch - $2,000
  • Gowrie Early Learning Centre Armidale, for Voices of Welcome: Multilingual Engagement for Refugee Families - $2,000
  • Armidale United Cricket Club Inc, for One Pitch, Many Cultures - $4,000
  • Guyra Show Society Ltd, for Guyra Community Hall new stage - $4,000
  • Wires - New England Branch, for Rehabilitation of Native Wildlife - $5,000
  • Pedal Early Childhood Intervention Service, for Renewal - Soft surface refresh - $4,232
  • Black Gully Festival (auspiced by New England Regional Art Museum), for Black Gully Festival - $5,000
  • The Revue - Fundraising for Dementia, for The Revue 2025 Fund-raiser for Dementia Australia - $4,500
  • PCYC Armidale, for EmpowerHER - $5,000
  • Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival Committee Inc, for The Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival - $3,500

At this meeting, Council also approved the distribution of $6,780 of the total $40,000 available Village Grants funding for 2025/26 to:

  • Ben Lomond Landcare Group Inc received funding for Ben Lomond District Information Days in Ben Lomond - $3,280
  • PCYC received funding for the Empower project in Black Mountain, Kelly's Plains, and Ben Lomond - $3,500

Community and Village Grants are offered throughout the year. Details are available via council’s website:

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