The Small Business Grants program has been created to assist with economic development opportunities and investment in the Campbelltown Council (SA) local government area. Funding is available for initiatives that support the development of small businesses through activities such as:

• Expansion;
• Improved access (such as disability access);
• Commercialisation;
• Premise upgrades (such as shop-front improvements);
• Activation events;
• Sustainability initiatives;
• Research and development;
• Innovation; and
• Exporting.

The total pool of the grant program is $37,500 in 2023/2024 and Council will consider applications for funding of up to $5,000 per business (ex GST). This funding is provided in the form of a minimum $1 to $1 matching investment from the business (i.e. matched funding of at least 50% must come from the business applying for the Grant).

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis and until funding is exhausted (subject to meeting quality requirements).

The purpose of the Small Business Mentoring Support stream (previously known as the Small Business Check-ups) is to provide businesses with one-on-one consultation with a specialist business mentor in one of the following areas:

• Marketing & Branding;
• Resilience & Wellbeing;
• Innovation & Transformation;
• Financial Advice;
• Business or Leadership Coaching;
• Human Resources & Organisational Development; or
• Legislative Compliance.

The mentoring will be provided by the Propel SA business support service. More information about Propel SA mentoring can be found on the Propel SA website.

Depending on the topic chosen, this may range from 1 to 3 one-on-one sessions valued at up to $500. A combination of in-person, telephone and/or online sessions may be used as suitable.

Matched funding from the Applicant is NOT required for this stream.

Please read the Guidelines below to ensure that you are eligible and to assist you in completing the Application Form. You will also find some useful business resources on our Business Support Page.

You may like to contact Council’s Economic Development Team to discuss your project / proposal before you make your application. Please phone (08) 8366 9222 or email mail@campbelltown.sa.gov.au.

To apply please complete the Online Application Form:
Small Business Grant Online Application Form (ONLINE FORM)
Small Business Mentoring Support Online Application Form (ONLINE FORM)

When you submit using the above online form, you will receive an automatic email confirmation of your submission. If you do not receive this confirmation, please contact us (mail@campbelltown.sa.gov.au) to double-check if your application was received or not.

Applications for Small Business Grants are now closed.

Background and Objectives

The Small Business Grants program has been established to assist with economic development opportunities and investment in the Campbelltown Council (SA) local government area. The Grant is designed to provide support to new and existing businesses and to support growth of the local economy. The Small Business Mentoring Support grants have also been included in the program primarily in response to the situation many small businesses have found themselves in due to the impacts of COVID-19 and high inflation rates, where business mentoring may be helpful.

The objective of the Small Business Grant is to provide assistance with respect to many areas of economic development including:

• building a more resilient, innovative local economy
• ensuring Campbelltown continues to be a sustainable and liveable City
• unlocking new business opportunities and assisting investment in the City
• creating employment in the City
• helping passionate small businesses realise their dreams
• improving access to local businesses (including disability access improvements)
• enhancing public spaces (especially in commercial and industrial zones)
• delivering events, programs or projects that benefit local businesses and the broader Community
• enhancing the City's reputation for business.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Small Business Grant or a Small Business Check-up, applications must satisfy the following:

• the business is located within the City’s boundary (or if not, it must be planning to re-locate within the next three months and show a signed tenancy agreement as evidence)
• the business has a registered Australian Business Number
• the business has an appropriate legal business structure
• the business has 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees
• approval has been granted from property owner as relevant
• there is no overdue amounts owing to Council by the business and/or other business you own.

All projects or programs must be completed within twelve months of the funding agreement being signed.

The following are ineligible:

• Employees of the City of Campbelltown
• Government departments or agencies.

Proposals

The Grant program aims to fund proposals for projects, programs or events that:

• Encourage business innovation
• Encourage environmentally-sustainable initiatives
• Build business capacity and skills
• Contribute to the ease of doing business
• Contribute to the ease of accessing local businesses
• Connect local businesses (to other businesses and/or organisations)
• Address a local workforce gap
• Assist in growing the reputation of Campbelltown as a great business location
• Contribute to the growth and development of existing and new industry to the City.

Exclusions

Items not suitable for funding include (but are not limited to):

• General operating costs (e.g. staff, outgoings etc.)
• Reduction in rental costs
• Payment of commercial rates
• Payment of building or planning approval costs
• Parking permits
• Security cameras
• Permanent staffing
• Advertising costs, unless part of a broader project or business expansion
• Routine or cyclical maintenance and repairs
• Replacement of like-for-like equipment, vehicles, machinery or treatments (e.g. dishwasher, carpet, curtains, computers, cars) unless clearly part of a broader project or business expansion
• Repairs of facilities damaged by vandalism, fire or other natural disasters where the damage should be covered by insurance
• Training courses, unless part of a broader project or business expansion
• Requests for retrospective funding, where projects have been commenced or are completed prior to funding approval.

Budget

For the Small Business Grants stream, a budget for the project or program must be provided as part of the application. This budget should outline the scope of the project / the works to be undertaken, with expenditure breakdown and quotes from suppliers as relevant.

Applications will only be considered if there is a minimum 1 to 1 dollar matching investment by the applicant of the amount requested.

Funds requested for the Small Business Grants may be any value up to $5,000 (ex GST).

For the Small Business Mentoring Support grant, matched funding from the Applicant is not required.

Local Suppliers

Applicants should consider giving priority to local suppliers for services, production and delivery of their project or program where relevant.

Conditions

1. With the exception of the Small Business Mentoring Support stream, businesses are required to co-contribute an equal amount to the funding value sought (i.e. the grant must be matched on a dollar-to-dollar basis). If requested, successful applicants may be required to provide a recent Audited Financial Statement and a copy of a current bank statement to ensure matching funds are available. Businesses may also be required to provide a copy of their current Public Liability Insurance.
2. A formal Grant Agreement is to be signed by Council and successful Applicants to represent all parties’ agreement in relation to the grant provided (e.g. the purpose of the grant, required timeline, activity schedule, payment and reporting), and information contained within it may be used for public reporting purposes for transparency.
3. Grant recipients are required to monitor and report the progress or completion of their project or program as requested by Council.
4. Council reserves the right to use photographs of projects or programs for promotional purposes.
5. Small Business Mentoring Support recipients may be required to sign a separate agreement with the mentoring provider to set out the expectations of the mentoring process.
6. Council may contact suppliers and other third parties as part of the assessment and/or audit process at any stage from application through to acquittal.

Assessment

Small Business Grant proposals will be assessed using a risk management approach to identify desired results, critical success factors, risks and their likelihood and consequence. Proposals will be assessed on:

1. Project readiness

1. Capacity to co-contribute funds
2. Plan for delivery of Grant proposal (e.g. resources, timing, cost – to demonstrate sound planning and investment)
   Small Business Grant Project Plan (Template for Guidance)
3. Budget to reflect the proposal (quotes are highly recommended and will assist the assessment process)
4. Pre-lodgement discussion with Council staff (recommended).

Note: Inadequate or insufficient information provision may undervalue an application and impair assessment.

2. Impact

1. Demonstration of how the proposal delivers economic development outcomes in one or more of the following ways:
   1. building a more resilient, innovative local economy
   2. ensuring Campbelltown continues to be a liveable City
   3. unlocking new business opportunities / assisting investment in the City
   4. creating employment in the City of Campbelltown
   5. improving access to local businesses
   6. enhancing public spaces (especially in commercial and industrial zones)
   7. delivering events, programs or projects that benefit local businesses and the broader Community
   8. enhancing the City's reputation for business.
2. Environmental sustainability (where relevant - optional)
3. Use of local suppliers (where relevant - optional)

Small Business Mentoring Support grants will be assessed based on need, potential impact and business eligibility, so please provide adequate information to allow sufficient assessment.

A panel of Council Staff with broad representation across Council departments will assess the applications.

All Applicants will be notified in writing as to the outcome of their application.

Acquittal

Successful Applicants will be required to acquit their Grant, providing evidence of grant fund expenditure and feedback on the things that went well and things learnt from the project or program. Acquittal reporting must be completed at the end of the project or program and returned within 60 days of the completion date as stated on the Grant Agreement.

March 2024 Grants:

Applications Open: 1 Feb 2024

Applications Due: 5pm, Sunday 31 Mar 2024

Assessment Period: Apr 2024

Notification to Applicants: Expected Apr/May 2024

Payment of Grants:  after signing of Agreement and then evidence of matched funding expenditure

Completion Date: 12 months after funding agreement is signed (approx. Apr/May 2025)

August 2023 Grants:

Applications Open: 1 Aug 2023

Applications Due: 5pm, Thursday 31 Aug 2023

Assessment Period: Sep 2023

Notification to Applicants: Expected Sep/Oct 2023

Payment of Grants:  after signing of Agreement and then evidence of matched funding expenditure

Completion Date: 12 months after funding agreement is signed (approx. Sep/Oct 2024)