Request letter of support
Council often receives requests from individuals, businesses, community groups or organisations for letters of support to accompany grant funding applications. A letter of support submitted with your grant application helps demonstrate that you have discussed your project with the people who are essential in ensuring the project has the best chance of success, and that you have their support.
If your project involves a cultural or religious group, then you will also need to show that you have the support of the elders or leaders of these groups.
Council is committed to supporting our community to attract funding for projects that align with Council’s strategic goals and priorities, values and our Council Plan, and we understand that providing support for programs, projects and events can strengthen your grant application, and can be critical for securing funding.
Although a letter of support from Council can add weight to an applicant's grant submission, it should be noted that the provision of a letter of support does not automatically result in Council playing a role in the project and does not constitute automatic Council approval for the project.
Council may be able to provide support as follows:
- In-principle - This means Council is in favour of it, based on the information provided. The principle/idea seems good and Council agrees with the outcome of community benefit received. The CEO is authorised to provide Letters of Support for ‘in principle’ support.
- In-kind - Non-cash support in the form of goods and services (i.e. assistance with traffic management for events / extra rubbish bins for events).
- Partnership - An arrangement in which parties agree to collaborate and cooperate to advance their mutual interests. A partnership can hold either or both parties responsible for all liabilities and will only be entered into if there is a significant community benefit that is aligned with our Council Plan and available funding and resource allocation. Council recognition for the event/project is to be determined prior to entering an agreement. Clarity of the role partners is to be provided along with the request.
Further information
All requests need to meet any necessary approval requirements. Some grant applications involve a financial commitment or capital works, and these have the potential to impact Council’s budget and long-term financial plans. As such, requests for in-kind support and partnership agreements are required to go to Council for approval.
Please note, letters of support may not be provided if:
- Council is applying for grant funding from the same funding body and it is considered that the application will be in direct competition with Council’s application
- Council operates a program similar to or the same as that of the application
- The objectives of the application or request do not fit with Council’s strategic objectives/priorities
- There is an expectation to continue the event/project beyond reasonable timeframes.
If you need approval from Council, your request should be submitted for consideration six weeks in advance of when the letter is required. This will allow Council time to research, evaluate and prepare the letter of support.
Our preference is that requests are submitted via our online form below. If you choose to submit your request via email or mail you must include the information as requested in the form below.
Request a letter of support