• Charles Sturt issues a call to community groups, organisations, schools, and individuals to apply for the community grants program
• $65,000 worth of grants are on offer this round to help support groups and individuals across the University’s regional footprint
• Applications are open until Friday 9 August

The Community-University Partnership (CUP) Grants Program will provide up to $65,000 worth of grants to community groups, organisations, schools, and individuals across six of Charles Sturt University’s (Charles Sturt) regional communities: Albury-Wodonga, Wagga Wagga, Bathurst, Orange, Port Macquarie, and Dubbo.

The goal of the CUP Grants Program is to support the development of communities across the University’s regional footprint through contributions to cultural, economic, and sporting activities.

The program also aims to build higher education aspiration and awareness, particularly among young people in rural and regional communities.

The total amount of CUP Grants available in 2019 is worth $125,000 across the two rounds.

In round one of the Program, Charles Sturt awarded about $60,000 to community groups and individuals.

There are five grant categories in this round: arts and culture, education, Indigenous development, health and wellbeing, and sport.

Charles Sturt's Director, Knowledge Exchange and Engagement, Associate Professor Laura Dan, said “Grants of up to $1,000 can be awarded, and individuals and organisations can apply for grants under multiple categories”.

“There have been a host of different types of initiatives the Grants have supported across the University’s footprint, ranging from purchasing equipment and uniforms for sports clubs, contributing to local events, and supporting environmental initiatives such as community gardens and environmental education programs.”

“If you know an organisation, sports club, community group or individual in one of Charles Sturt’s regional campus area that is doing great work and needs some financial support, I encourage you to tell them about the CUP Grants because they are a fantastic initiative.

“Charles Sturt is truly working towards supporting the great work of people and organisations within our regions.”

In round one of the CUP Grants Program, the Mitchell Early Learning Centre in Bathurst received a grant under the Educational Development category.

Board Member of the Mitchell Early Learning Centre, Ms Melissa Skein, said, “The funds from the grant went towards our childhood movement skills program”.

“The skills program helps to support our children’s physical and emotional health, social skills, and language development and will give our children the chance to develop their gross motor skills in an exciting way."

The last round of the CUP Grants helped the Cootamundra Cougars under 16 women’s basketball team progress to the NSW Country Championships.

Secretary for Cootamundra Basketball, Ms Racheal Hassett, said, “The sports development grant has enabled our small country town athletes to compete against some of the best basketballers in NSW”.

“Because we are located in a regional area, our basketballers have to travel long distances in order to compete.

“This can be really challenging because we have to cover a lot more costs such as fuel, accommodation and game fees.

“Without the financial assistance of the Charles Sturt CUP Grant, the opportunity to play at the NSW Country Championship would not have been possible for our team; and we are truly grateful to be a recipient of Charles Sturt’s generosity and encourage all organisations in the region to apply.”

In 2019 the organisation Fishdog received a grant under the Arts and Culture category to help run the Dubbo Art Residency Experience (DARE) program.

“DARE is a new artist in residency opportunity in Regional Australia that seeks to promote artists experimenting with new forms of personal expression and to interact with local communities in a unique environment,” Ms Kerry Palmer of Fishdog said.

“We are very grateful to have received a CUP Grant this year as it made a positive difference to DARE.”

Applications for the 2019 CUP Grants are open until Friday 9 August 2019.

For further information or to apply visit the CUP Grants page on the Charles Sturt website.