Community Grants Writer
Kate Bradley, Community Grants Writer, is working closely with the region’s Community Centres helping to research, identify and access funding opportunities for not-for-profit organisations and traditional owner groups.
The Community Grants Writer position is funded by Shell’s QGC business and delivered by the Murilla Community Centre. Kate works with community groups to build their grants-writing capacities, so they can secure additional investment. She comes to the role with more than a decade’s experience developing funding proposals and managing projects from conception through to delivery, most recently at the Queensland University of Technology.
Kate says she’ll be focused on helping groups identify how to turn priorities into activities, how to prepare documents, how to manage budgets and what’s needed to ensure successful delivery of a project.
“To be able to help community centres and community groups and contribute to the growth of the region, I couldn’t pass it up,” she said.
Murilla Community Centre’s Cecily Brockhurst said having access to someone with Kate’s experience and expertise was a huge positive. “The need for a grants writer came out of community discussions with Shell’s QGC business and it’s great to see them listen and work with us to respond to that need,” Cecily said. “Staff working at the community centres, across the Chinchilla, Tara and Miles area, have been working at capacity for some time. We are looking forward to having the support of a knowledgeable and experienced professional as we continue to endeavor to meet the needs of members of the community. “Community groups are made up of volunteers who often times aren’t sure where to start when looking to access funding to support their project. To have Kate available to help build up that capacity is a real win for our region.”
Kate will be working with groups visiting Miles, Chinchilla, Tara, Dalby and Wandoan regularly. After almost 12 months in the role, Kate has helped the region reach a significant milestone and has assisted over 30 organisations with their grant applications including accessing in excess of $1,000,000 in grants for the region.
Here are some of the successful grants:
- Upgrade to facilities for Wandoan Show Society
- New admin building for Chinchilla Polocrosse
- Ride on mower for Dalby Pioneer Park Museum
- Community Drought Support Program for Tara Neighbourhood Centre, Murilla Community Centre and Chinchilla Family Support Centre
- Traineeship program by Chinchilla Community Centre for long-term unemployed and marginalised groups
One local organisation said “Thank you again Kate, for all your assistance in completing this application. We are now in their hands. I think we did a great job. It was of a higher caliber than I could have managed by myself. You were great.”
If you’re from a community group and need some extra help finding a grant opportunity or getting your funding application across the line, Kate Bradley is here to help. You can contact Kate at mccmgrants@bigpond.com.
