Northern Water Community Grants program provides funding to support local initiatives that enhance communities to ensure Northern Water leaves a meaningful and enduring legacy in the regions.

Successful grant applications should demonstrate the ways the initiative would provide local benefit, looking at social, environmental, community and economic themes.

Northern Water Community Grants have two streams:
Community Investment Program
To support community-led initiatives that directly benefit the project’s objectives and/or build
community capacity to be involved in the project.

Local Grants Program
Open for all community groups, local grants seek to invest in community capital and enhance community resilience.

Applications under both streams will be assessed quarterly.

The Northern Water online application form can be accessed at northernwater.sa.gov.au/grants/grant-applicationform

Grants of between $5,000 and $10,000 totalling $30,000 are available four times each year. Successful applicants are eligible for one funding round per calendar year.

Annual funding rounds open on the first day of January, April, August, and October and close on the last day of the month.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their submission within 6 weeks of the closing date of each round.

Eligible applicants who are unsuccessful in one round, are encouraged to submit applications for future rounds.

Our Northern Water team is here to guide you in future applications, to help you achieve a successful outcome.

Please email northernwater@sa.gov.au with your questions about how to strengthen future submissions.

There is no limit to the number of initiatives for which an organisation can apply. However, previous allocations will be considered when looking at each proposal.

You may apply for a second grant, however each initiative is limited to one grant per 12 months.

Community Investment Program
Geographical eligibility
Eligible regions include Eyre Peninsula, Upper Spencer Gulf and Far North South Australia.

Organisational eligibility Eligible organisations include Local Government, community organisations, business associations and not-for-profit groups.

Individual private entities may be eligible for a grant where a wider community benefit can be demonstrated along with a suitable level of co-contribution (e.g community daycare provider).

Local Grants Program
Geographical eligibility
Regional areas that may be impacted by the Northern Water project.

Organisational eligibility
Eligible organisations include Local Government, community organisations, business associations and not-for-profit groups.

Individual private entities may be eligible for a grant where a wider community benefit can be demonstrated along with a suitable level of co-contribution (e.g community daycare provider).

Yes. Applications will only be accepted via the online portal.

Applicants without access to the internet and/or an electronic device, are encouraged to come into our Tumby Bay or Whyalla office where our team are happy to assist with the process.

Northern Water’s Tumby Bay office is open 10am-4pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month, and our Whyalla office is open from 10am-4pm on the second and fourth Wednesday each month.

You can also call us on (08) 8429 4650

For the evaluation panel to make an informed decision, it is important to answer all questions in the online application form and provide adequate information about the program or grant opportunity. This will assist the evaluation team to understand how the funding will be used and then make a decision.

The grant guideline refers to the weighted criteria used to evaluate all applications. Applications must address the relevant criteria required for the grant application to be comprehensively assessed, and to give your application the best chance at success.

Assessment information is located on page 10 and 11 of the Community Grants Guideline.

The Northern Water project team can provide general information and advice on completing your application. This is to ensure a fair and equitable process.

Yes. The online form allows you to commence your application, preview the application questions, and/or save it partway through to complete later.

For your application to be considered it must be submitted using our online form.

Our team are here to help you navigate the form and the Tumby Bay office is open between 10am-4pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

Our Whyalla office is staffed between 10am-4pm on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month for your inquiries.

We are also available by phone during business hours  on (08) 8429 4650.

For sponsorship opportunities, please submit your sponsorship prospectus, and the support you are seeking to northernwater@sa.gov.au